8.402 General.

1. The Federal Supply Schedule program is also known as the GSA Schedules program or the Multiple Award Schedule Program. The FSS program is directed and managed by GSA and provides federal agencies (see 8.002) with a simplified process for obtaining commercial supplies and services at prices associated with volume buying. Indefinite delivery contracts are awarded to provide supplies and services at stated prices for given periods of time. GSA may delegate certain responsibilities to other agencies (e.g., GSA has delegated authority to the VA to procure medical supplies under the VA FSS Program). Orders issued under the VA FSS Program are covered by this subpart. Additionally, the Department of Defense (DOD) manages similar systems of Schedule-type contracting for military items; however, DOD systems are not covered by this subpart.
2. GSA Schedule contracts require all Schedule contractors to publish an “Authorized Federal Supply Schedule Price list” (price list). The price list contains all supplies and services offered by a Schedule contractor. In addition, each price list contains the pricing and the terms and conditions pertaining to each SIN that is on the Schedule. The Schedule contractor is required to provide one copy of its price list to any ordering activity upon request. Also, a copy of the price list may be obtained from the FSS by submitting a written e-mail request to schedules.infocenter@gsa.gov or by telephone at 1-800-488-3111. This subpart, together with the price lists, contains necessary information for placing delivery or task orders with Schedule contractors. In addition, the GSA Schedule contracting office issues FSS publications that contain a general overview of the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program and address pertinent topics. Ordering activities may request copies of publications by contacting the Centralized Mailing List Service (CMLS) through the Internet at www.gsa.gov/cmls, or submitting written e-mail requests to CMLS@gsa.gov.
3. 1. GSA offers an online shopping service called “GSAAdvantage!^®” through which ordering activities may place orders against Schedules. (Ordering activities may also use GSAAdvantage!^® to place orders through GSA’s Global Supply™, a GSA wholesale supply source, formerly known as “GSA Stock” or the “Customer Supply Center.” FAR Subpart 8.4 is not applicable to orders placed through the GSA Global Supply™.) Ordering activities may access GSAAdvantage!^® through www.gsaadvantage.gsa.gov.
   2. GSAAdvantage!^® enables ordering activities to search specific information (i.e., national stock number, part number, common name), review delivery options, place orders directly with Schedule contractors (except see 8.405-6), and pay for orders using the governmentwide commercial purchase card.
4. eBuy, GSA’s electronic Request for Quotation (RFQ) system, is a part of a suite of online tools that complement GSAAdvantage!^®. eBuy allows ordering activities to post requirements, obtain quotes, and issue orders electronically. Ordering activities shall post an RFQ to eBuy when an order contains brand name specifications (see 8.405-6). Ordering activities may access eBuy at www.ebuy.gsa.gov. For more information or assistance on either GSAAdvantage!^® or eBuy, contact GSA at Internet e-mail address ncsccustomer.service@gsa.gov.
5. For more information or assistance regarding the FSS Program, review the following website: www.gsa.gov/schedules.
6. For administrative convenience, an ordering activity Contracting Officer may add items not on the FSS (also referred to as open market items) to a FSS BPA or an individual task or delivery order only if—
   1. All applicable acquisition regulations pertaining to the purchase of the items not on the FSS have been followed (e.g., publicizing (Part 5), competition requirements (Part 6), acquisition of commercial items (Part 12), contracting methods (Parts 13, 14, and 15), and small business programs (Part 19));
   2. The ordering activity Contracting Officer has determined the price for the items not on the FSS is fair and reasonable;
   3. The items are clearly labeled on the order as items not on the FSS; and
   4. All clauses applicable to items not on the FSS are included in the order.