GSA and SBA Sign New 8(a) Contracting Agreement
GSA # 9701
June 22, 2000
Contact: Bill Bearden (202) 501-1231
bill.bearden@gsa.gov
Washington, DC - The General Services Administration and Small Business Administration have entered into a partnership agreement to assist Federal agencies boost the SBA's 8(a) program through use of the GSA Federal Supply Service schedules program.
Under the new agreement agencies will be allowed to count toward their 8(a) procurement goals purchases made from the GSA schedules. Prior to this, purchases made from the schedules from companies in the 8(a) program could be considered 8(a) procurements only if the SBA had accepted the particular schedule into the 8(a) program. The new agreement covers all schedules.
"We are pleased to expand the opportunities to the federal marketplace with this new agreement," said Associate Administrator Jackie Robinson, of the GSA Office of Enterprise Development. "We encourage 8(a) contractors to consider participating in the schedules program as a means to increase their sales."
In FY2000 over $10 billion in purchases were made using the GSA schedules. Purchases from companies that have SBA 8(a) status are expected to increase under the new agreement. Unlike traditional 8(a) program awards, GSA schedules will continue to be a competitive, non-set aside award method.
For more information contact the GSA Office of Enterprise Development at (202) 501-1021.
