U.S. General Services Administration
Improvements to the Customer Experience
We want to deliver value by:
- Providing you with the right solutions and supply base to meet your mission needs
- Enhancing your experience acquiring goods and services
Follow these simple steps to learn more.
- Step 1: Check out the customer acquisition journey
- Step 2: Learn more about improvements in the FMP Summer '19 Release enhancing your buying experience
- Step 3: Join the conversation by sharing your ideas and feedback
Step 1: Check out the customer acquisition journey
As a customer, you go through a series of interactions in different phases of your buying experience for the acquisition of goods and services.
GSA is listening and making improvements to your experience with us and in the federal marketplace! With each release, you learn about what GSA is doing to improve the experience in different phases of the acquisition journey.
Step 2: Learn more about improvements in the FMP Summer '19 Release enhancing your buying experience
Mandatory Order Status
As of May 2019, new and existing vendors on GSA Advantage! are required to provide automated order status and shipment tracking information, thereby increasing transparency and improving the customer experience.
Federal Marketplace Improvement
Yesterday
Buying from GSAAdvantage! did not receive consistent order status updates and tracking information from the vendor community. Some vendors provided this information, while others provided no tracking or status information.
Today
Suppliers must provide you with order tracking information as part of the contractual agreement on all new and refreshed solicitations. Now, you can receive these order status updates via email. The status can also be accessed through the GSAAdvantage! application.
Acquisition Journey
Minimum Order Quantities
- GSA customers have said in surveys that Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ) is a source of confusion and frustration.
- As a result, GSAAdvantage! has developed new communication and search functionality to improve the customer experience.
Federal Marketplace Improvement
Yesterday
You tried to place orders for items on GSAAdvantage! that were denied due to Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) established by particular vendors. You faced the unfortunate decision of not getting the product you needed or having to purchase a higher quantity than truly necessary, resulting in a less than optimal use of taxpayer dollars.
Today
An improved search function in GSAAdvantage! now allows you to search by MOQ to easily view which suppliers could best meet your buying needs. Also, a notification at the shopping cart informs you when an MOQ has not yet been met, suggesting options for you to either purchase additional items from that supplier to fulfill the MOQ or find another supplier that may offer the same product with a lower MOQ.
Acquisition Journey
MiA (Made in America) Robomod Pilot
- A pilot maximizing the use of “Robo-mod” process to address the 118 contracts responsible for 80% of total MiA mis-designations on GSAAdvantage!
- MiA Robomod increases the accuracy of “US” country of origin designations on GSAAdvantage!
Federal Marketplace Improvement
Yesterday
Some products on GSAAdvantage! were inaccurately listed as “Made in America” (MiA), creating uncertainty regarding the accuracy of product information under the GSA Schedules program.
Today
GSA has significantly reduced the number of Made in America (MiA) midesignations and has developed a repeatable process to find and resolve inaccuracies for you.
Acquisition Journey
Promote Government-wide and Other Interagency Contracts
- Effective June 5, 2019, a final rule removes the requirement for federal agencies to do a determination of best procurement approach prior to using GSA as an acquisition provider.
Federal Marketplace Improvement
Yesterday
The FAR contained a hurdle for you to use GSA acquisition vehicles whether that was Schedules, GWACs and MACs or to use GSA as an assisted acquisition provider.
Today
You will no longer have to write a best interest determination to use GSA vehicles such as the Schedules, Alliant or OASIS or obtain assisted acquisition services. You can more easily do business with GSA by removal of this burdensome requirement.
Acquisition Journey
- You can now search for wage determinations and bargaining agreements with enhanced search functionality on SAM.gov!
- SAM.gov provides a modern, easy-to-use location to search more than 9,200 wage determinations and bargaining agreements, and replaces the WDOL.gov site, which has been decommissioned.
Federal Marketplace Improvement
Yesterday
Determining correct labor category classifications, base wages, and fringe rates for Service Contract Act (SCA) employees was complex for you, requiring multiple searches to identify and maintain accurate and up-to-date wage determination data, and risking being found out of compliance with SCA regulations.
Today
You will save time by using a simplified process with a modern, multi-variable search tool to quickly find accurate and current wage determinations, with customizable alerts using your sam.gov login.
Acquisition Journey
- On January 24, 2018, GSA issued a final rule amending the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to incorporate Order-Level Materials (OLMs) into the Schedules Program.
- We expanded the OLM authority to additional schedules.
- Check out the revised FAQ Sheet [PDF - 141 KB].
Federal Marketplace Improvement
Yesterday
GSA Schedules were inflexible when acquiring order-level materials, and prevented you from easily purchasing complete procurement solutions when similar capabilities existed on other commercial IDIQ vehicles.
Today
Through the addition and expansion of the OLM authority on GSA Schedules, you have more flexibility to easily acquire OLMs to provide a total solution, creating similar capabilities between the MAS program and other established indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts resulting in better value for you, industry partners and taxpayers.
Acquisition Journey
- Central hub to simplify cloud adoption, in support of IT Modernization, President’s Management Agenda (PMA), and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMBs) Cloud Smart strategy.
- One-stop shop for cloud resources to access the information you need for cloud transition.
- Visit the CIC site to learn more.
Federal Marketplace Improvement
Yesterday
With past attempts to transition to the cloud, you faced complexity and confusion trying to understand, plan, search, and buy commercial cloud products and services.
Today
You have a centralized, collaborative resource hub to easily access the information you need to transition to the cloud from start to finish. Understand challenges, access best practices, download acquisition guidance and templates, find the best products and technology the marketplace has to offer, and how to connect with GSA resources to buy.
Acquisition Journey
Expanding use of SBIR Phase III contracts nationwide
- The SBIR pilot increases access to cutting-edge technology, and also helps agencies meet small businesses participation goals.
- SBIR Phase III contracts are now offered nationwide as an assisted acquisition service from FAS
Federal Marketplace Improvement
Yesterday
You had limited pathways available to acquire the latest innovations developed by small businesses as part of SBIR R&D work across government.
Today
You now have more streamlined options to buy and use innovative technologies developed as part of SBIR R&D activities, that may not yet be commercially available.
Acquisition Journey
GSA measures success by delivering a modern, easy, and efficient marketplace experience that works for everyone!
Step 3: Join the conversation by sharing your ideas and feedback
Sign up today to join our community of practice!
GSA wants to connect with problem solvers and shape an experience that works better for everyone: buyers, suppliers, and the acquisition workforce! This group will participate in GSA FMP-sponsored stakeholder workshops, usability testing, and focused feedback opportunities. Join us!
Download the FMP Summer '19 Release here! [PDF - 509 KB]