GSA Schedule

Overview

According to the General Services Administration (GSA), the GSA Schedules program accounts for more than $30 billion in annual government spending. Businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions can acquire a GSA Schedule Contract, which allows them to offer their products and services to government customers. GSA Schedule Contracts simplify the government sales process as they have pre-determined pricing, terms, and conditions that government buyers can use to purchase products or services from a company. Although GSA Schedule Contracts are mainly employed to sell to federal agencies, they may also be used to sell to state and local government entities in specific situations.

“The GSA Schedule offers a streamlined procurement process for federal agencies and allows small businesses to compete for government contracts on a level playing field.”
– Maria Roat, Chief Information Officer of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA)

“The GSA Schedule has been a key factor in enabling our company to grow and expand our business with the federal government.”
– John Smith, CEO of a GSA Schedule contractor

What is a GSA Schedule?

It’s a long-term governmentwide contract with commercial companies that provide access to millions of commercial products and services at fair and reasonable prices to the government. 

Governmentwide – Any federal agency, such as the DOD, DHS, FEMA, and the Department of Energy, can use GSA Schedule Contracts. 

Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity – The contract term of a GSA Schedule is fixed while the deliverables are not. This means that any federal customer can order an unlimited quantity of products or services during the term of the contract. 

Multiple Award Schedule – A GSA Schedule Contract is not exclusive to a single company, and multiple companies can be awarded the contract. There is no limit to the number of companies that can apply for and receive a GSA Schedule Contract, and companies can apply for it at any time. 

Benefits of Getting a GSA Schedule

Getting a GSA Schedule Contract can provide a range of benefits for businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions looking to sell products and services to the government. Some of the reasons why a company might consider obtaining a GSA Schedule Contract include:

1. Access to a large and reliable customer base: The government is one of the largest buyers of goods and services in the United States, and having a GSA Schedule Contract can give a company access to a vast and reliable customer base.
2. Streamlined procurement process: The procurement process for government buyers can be lengthy and complex, but GSA Schedule Contracts streamline the process by offering pre-negotiated pricing, terms, and conditions. This can save time and effort for both the vendor and the government buyer. 
3. Increased sales and revenue: With a GSA Schedule Contract, a company can more easily sell its products and services to government customers, which can lead to increased sales and revenue.
4. Improved brand reputation: Being awarded a GSA Schedule Contract can help to improve a company’s reputation and credibility, as it demonstrates that the company has met certain standards and requirements set by the government.

How to Get a GSA Schedule?

To obtain a GSA Schedule Contract, a company must follow these general steps: 

1. Determine eligibility: The company must first determine if it meets the eligibility criteria for obtaining a GSA Schedule Contract. This includes having a legal business structure, at least two years of business history, and financial stability, among other requirements.
2. Identify the appropriate GSA Schedule: The company must then identify the GSA Schedule that best aligns with its products and services. There are several different GSA Schedules, each covering a different category of products and services.
3. Submit a proposal: The company must then submit a proposal to the GSA that includes information on the company’s products and services, pricing, past performance, and other relevant information.
4. Negotiate and sign the contract: If the proposal is accepted, the GSA will begin contract negotiations with the company. Once the terms of the contract are agreed upon, the company will sign the contract. 
5. Market the contract: After the contract is signed, the company can begin marketing its products and services to government customers. The company must follow the pricing and terms specified in the contract when selling to government customers.

Eligibility Criteria for GSA Schedule

The eligibility criteria for obtaining a GSA Schedule Contract are as follows: 

1. Legal Business Status: The company must have a legal business structure such as a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or a limited liability company (LLC).
2. Two Years in Business: The company must have been in business for at least two years. However, there are some exceptions for certain product or service categories. 
3. Financial Stability: The company must demonstrate financial stability and provide audited financial statements for the past two years. 
4. Past Performance: The company must provide a record of past performance, which can include customer references and testimonials.
5. Industry Experience: The company must demonstrate that it has experience in providing the products or services it wishes to offer on the GSA Schedule. 
6. Price Reasonableness: The company must provide pricing that is considered reasonable and competitive with the commercial market.
7. Technical Qualifications: The company must demonstrate that it has the technical expertise and resources to deliver the products or services offered on the GSA Schedule. 
8. Compliance: The company must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and GSA Schedule Contract terms and conditions.

It is important to note that meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that a company will be awarded a GSA Schedule Contract. The GSA evaluates each application on a case-by-case basis and takes into account factors such as market demand and competition.

Conclusion

The GSA Schedule provides a valuable opportunity for businesses to expand their customer base to include government agencies. The program offers a streamlined contracting process, pre-established pricing, and increased visibility to government customers. Further, the process of obtaining a GSA Schedule Contract can be complex and time-consuming but you can reach out to Road Map Consulting, and get expert guidance on how to excel in your GSA Schedule journey. 

Further, you can visit Road Map Consulting to get started with GSA Schedule. They offer management consulting, operations support, leadership training, and professional development solutions to improve organizational performance.