For Vendors - Getting on Schedule and Managing Your Contract

To become a GSA Schedule contractor, a vendor must first submit an offer in response to the applicable GSA Schedule solicitation. The preferred method of submitting offers is electronically via eOffer.

GSA awards contracts to responsible companies offering commercial items, at fair and reasonable prices, that fall within the generic descriptions in the GSA Schedule Solicitations. Contracting Officers determine whether prices are fair and reasonable by completing a comparison of price and non-price factors that a company offers the government with those that the company offers to commercial customers. This negotiation is commonly known as “most favored customer” (MFC) pricing. In order to make this comparison, GSA requires offerors to disclose either their MFC discount practices or all information regarding their commercial and non-commercial pricing and discounting practices.

Detailed Information for Vendors

The "For Vendors" section on GSA.gov introduces vendors to getting on Schedule and successfully maintaining a contract once it is awarded. For detailed information on each stage in the process, refer to the following:

Getting Started — While a GSA Schedules contract can offer great opportunities for many businesses, the process of applying for that contract will take a significant amount of time and resources. Learn about preliminary steps to take prior to responding to a GSA Schedules solicitation.
Responding to a Solicitation — To receive a GSA Schedules contract, vendors must submit an acceptable response, or offer, to a solicitation. Learn about GSA’s review and negotiation process, and what preparation a vendor can complete to increase success.
Managing a Schedules Contract — Receiving a Schedules contract does not guarantee federal sales – new GSA Schedules contractors are required to market and manage their contract effectively to benefit and remain in compliance with the Schedules program.
Resources, Training, and Tools — GSA provides Vendors access to numerous online resources, training courses, and tools for every stage in the GSA Schedules process.

Alternatives to Schedules

Although the GSA Schedules program is the premier vehicle for government sales, it is not the only option. How to Sell to the Government offers a high-level overview of federal purchasing programs and the different ways vendors can participate.

Alternatives to Schedules include: