Statutory Authority for the MAS Program
- GSA has the authority to procure and supply personal property and
non-personal services for executive agencies through the Federal Property
and Administrative Services Act of 1949.
- 41 U.S.C. Sec 259 provides that GSA Schedules are considered competitive if:
- Participation is open to all responsible prospective contractors, and
- Orders and contracts result in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the
government’s needs.
Title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 251 et
seq.) and Title 40, U.S.C. 501, Services for Executive Agencies, are the two statutes that
authorize the MAS Program. The GSA Administrator has statutory authority to procure
and supply personal property and nonpersonal services for use of the executive
agencies in the proper discharge of their responsibilities, and perform functions
related to procurement and supply.
The statute states that the use of GSA Schedules is a competitive contracting
procedure since participation in the program has been open to all responsible
prospective contractors, and orders and contracts under such procedures result in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the needs of the government.
(See FAR 8.404(a)).
Responsibility for Management of the
MAS Program
- FAS manages the MAS Program
- Schedules for medical services and supplies have been delegated to
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The U.S. GSA is a centralized federal procurement
and property management agency designed to help federal agencies serve the public.
GSA continuously seeks new supplies and services, designs innovative systems,
introduces procurement models, addresses customer needs and expectations, and
strives to create “Best Value” for customers.
Under a special agreement, GSA has delegated responsibility for management of
Schedules for medical supplies and services to the U.S. VA. See www.fss.va.gov for more information.