Everything You Need to Know About GSA Scheduling Contracts

GSA scheduling contract, also known as the federal supply schedule or Multiple supply schedule (MAS), is a scheme started in 1949 by then-president Harry Truman to improve the federal government’s purchasing and administrative processes. GSA contract gives tremendous opportunities to small businesses to provide commercial services to government clients.

Landing this contract involves extensive paperwork, discussions with GSA representatives, and negotiating prices for the company. That’s why small businesses applying for it for the first time prefer hiring GSA consultants to do this work.

Step-By-Step Process to Get a GSA Contract

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Before you start filling out forms and getting documents ready, it is important to check out your eligibility. Eligibility criteria include:

●The company should have two-year of experience in the business.
●3-5 customer references to ensure that you’re a trustworthy contractor.
●The commercial products should be TAA compliant.

Step 2: Register yourself at System for Award Management (SAM)

If you meet all the eligibility requirements, the next and most important step is registering yourself at SAM. SAM registration requires your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), your financial information for federal government payment purposes, executive compensation information, at least one NAICS Code, and your business’s size matrix.

Step 3: Prepare yourself for the final 3-step GSA schedule proposal process

This is the final and the most important step in getting the GSA contract. This might take a while to process. This is why it is always suggested to opt for GSA consultants to avoid the last-minute hassle, whether it is GSA scheduling contracts or small business subcontracting plans.
The three-step process includes an administrative round, a technical round, and a pricing round.

●Administrative Round: It includes checking the company’s background, verifying its organizational chart, SAM Registration, and financial information from the past two years.

●Technical Round: It includes verifying the products and pricing catalog and checking whether the entity can provide the commercial services as stated.

●Pricing Round: This is the last round where GSA representatives and commercial contractors negotiate pricing with each other with necessary documents.

Final Words

If you are a small business owner, hiring a GSA consultant for a GSA scheduling contract or small business contract management solutions can open big opportunities for you. You might require meeting specifications and doing a lot of work, but it will be worth it.

So, to ensure you get it at the best outcome for your profits, you should hire a GSA consultant and a contract management solution. The agents/ firms do all the work on your behalf and increase your chances of winning a federal contract.