GSA Schedules
GSA Schedules are also referred to as Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) and Federal Supply Schedules. Under the GSA Schedules Program, GSA establishes long-term governmentwide contracts with commercial firms. GSA Schedules provide access to over 11 million commercial supplies (products) and services at volume discount pricing.
GSA Schedules provide fast, flexible, cost-effective procurement solutions that allow customers to meet acquisition challenges, while achieving their missions. The MAS Value Proposition highlights the benefits customers experience when using GSA Schedules:
- Realize cost savings;
- Experience flexibility and choice;
- Save time;
- Achieve transparency; and
- Control the procurement.
Note: GSA has delegated authority to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to procure medical supplies under the VA Federal Supply Schedules Program.
The Schedule List in GSA eLibrary contains a list of all GSA and VA Schedules. The generic categories of supplies and services available under each Schedule may be viewed by clicking on the Schedule number in the "Source" column. Supplies and services are identified in each Schedule by Special Item Number (SIN). GSA eLibrary also contains contract award information for all GSA and VA Schedules.
Schedule supplies and services can be ordered directly from GSA Schedule contractors or through the GSA Advantage!® online shopping and ordering system. All customers, even those in remote locations, can order the latest technology and quality supplies and services, conveniently, and at most favored customer prices. GSA Schedules also offer the potential benefits of shorter lead-times, lower administrative costs, and reduced inventories.
When using GSA Schedules, ordering activities have the opportunity to meet small business goals, while promoting compliance with various environmental and socioeconomic laws and regulations.
The GSA Schedules Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provide a variety of information regarding the GSA Schedules Program and the use of GSA Schedule contracts.
Getting on Schedule
Vendors interested in becoming GSA Schedule contractors should review Getting on Schedule, in order to fully understand the process involved in obtaining a GSA Schedule contract.
GSA recommends that before submitting an offer to obtain a GSA Schedule contract, vendors should complete Pathway to Success, an education seminar designed to assist prospective Schedule contractors in making informed business decisions as to whether obtaining a GSA Schedule contract is in their best interests. The seminar provides background information on the Schedules Program and addresses GSA's expectations for vendors to become successful Schedule contractors. Pathway to Success training also includes such topics as:
- How to submit a quality offer, the proposal submission process, and the GSA Schedule solicitation;
- How to develop a Schedule-specific business plan; and
- How to compete and succeed as a Schedule contractor in the government marketplace.
Pathway to Success may be accessed from the Vendor Support Center (VSC), under the Vendor Training tab.
The Center for Acquisition Excellence offers an online training course, "How to Become a Contractor — GSA Schedules Program," which provides valuable information for all prospective Schedule contractors.
Trade Agreements Act
The Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq.) is the enabling statute that implements numerous multilateral and bilateral international trade agreements and other trade initiatives. Since the estimated dollar value of each Schedule exceeds the established Trade Agreements Act (TAA) threshold, the TAA is applicable to all Schedules. In accordance with the TAA, only U.S.-made or designated country end products shall be offered and sold under Schedule contracts.
Schedule Features
GSA Schedules offer a variety of features, including:
Ordering From Schedules
Orders placed against GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts, using the procedures in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.4, are considered to be issued using full and open competition (see FAR 6.102(d)(3)).
Ordering activities shall not seek competition outside of GSA Schedules or synopsize the requirement (see Exception, below). In addition, ordering activities are not required to make a separate determination of fair and reasonable pricing, except for the price evaluation required by FAR 8.405-2(d) when ordering services requiring a statement of work.
By placing an order against a GSA Schedule contract using the procedures in this section, the ordering activity has concluded that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the government's needs.
Exception: When using Recovery Act funds, ordering activities shall post notices of Schedule orders (including orders issued under Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)) of $25,000 or more on Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) for "informational purposes only."
Although GSA has already negotiated fair and reasonable pricing, ordering activities may seek additional discounts before placing an order.
While the mandatory small business preference programs in FAR Part 19 do not apply to orders placed against GSA Schedule contracts, such orders may be credited toward an ordering activity's small business goals. Ordering activities may consider socioeconomic status when identifying contractors for consideration of an order (see FAR 8.405-5).
Contractor Performance Evaluation: Ordering activities shall prepare an evaluation of contractor performance for each Schedule contract order that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold. See FAR 8.406-7 and 42.1502(c). Ordering activities shall use agency-approved feeder systems to collect and electronically submit past performance reports to the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS).
Further information regarding Schedule ordering procedures is available under Basic Schedule Ordering Guidelines.
State and Local Governments
State and local government entities are now eligible to purchase from GSA Schedule contracts under the following programs:
State and local governments are advised to review the conditions under which each program may be utilized.
Multiple Award Schedules Desk Reference
The Multiple Award Schedules Desk Reference provides detailed information regarding the Schedules Program, including features and benefits, and guidelines for the effective use of Schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In addition to the general FAQs for GSA Schedules, subject matter FAQs are also available for the following areas of interest to customer agencies and vendors:
The shortcut to this page is www.gsa.gov/schedules.
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