Eligibility Determinations

Eligibility by Source | Eligibility by Entity Type | List of Eligible Entities | How to Request an Eligibility Determination | Limitations | Contacts

GSA’s Office of Acquisition Policy (OAP) has been delegated the authority in GSA Order ADM 5450.39D, Chapter 6 to make determinations of eligibility for entities to use GSA sources of supply and services in accordance with GSA Order OGP 4800.2I.

Entities must be found eligible by GSA’s Office of Acquisition Policy in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, and GSA Order OGP 4800.2I. The GSA sources available to an entity depend on the entity type. The charts below identify the different types of entities and GSA sources as discussed in GSA Order OGP 4800.2I.

Please note:

  • GSA does not have the authority to make eligibility determinations for foreign entities.
    • Civilian foreign entities interested in having an eligibility determination made should contact USAID.
    • Military foreign entities interested in having an eligibility determination made should contact the U.S. Department of Defense, or U.S. Department of State.
  • Non-profit status alone is not sufficient to grant eligibility. Generally, commercial non-profit organizations are not eligible.

I (a). What Types of Entities are Eligible (By Source)

Entity Type Example Reference1
Federal Agency Executive Department of Commerce Par 7.a.1
Federal Agency Legislative Library of Congress Par 7.b.1
Federal Agency Judicial U.S. Tax Court Par 7.b.1
Federal Independent Establishment Executive Merit Systems Protection Board Par 7.a.3
Federal Independent Establishment Legislative Delaware River Basin Commission Par 7.b.1
Federal Government Corporation Wholly Owned Millennium Challenge Corporation Par 7.a.2
Federal Government Corporation Mixed Ownership Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Par 7.b.2
District of Columbia District of Columbia Public Schools Par 7.b.3
U.S. Territory Government of Virgin Islands Par 7.e.2
Tribal Organization ISDEAA Muscogee Creek Nation Par 7.d.5
Tribal Organization NAHASDA & TCSA Cocopah Indian Housing and Development Par 7.d.5
Foreign Assistance Organization International Monetary Fund Par 7.e.3
Contractor Cost Reimbursement Time & Material or Labor Hour Contracts Par 7.d.1, 7.d.2
Contractor Fixed Price Security Contracts Par 7.d.3
Other National Institute for the Deaf Par 7.d.7, 7.e.1, 7.e.4
Entity Type Example Reference1
State or Local Government A City or State government in the United States Par 7.d.6
State or Local Instrumentality

A public higher education organization

A municipal water district

A metro 9-1-1 district

 Par 7.d.6
Entity Type Example Reference1
State or Local Government A City or State government in the United States Par 7.d.6
State or Local Instrumentality

A public higher education organization

A municipal water district

A metro 9-1-1 district

 Par 7.d.6
Entity Type Example Reference1
State or Local Government A City or State government in the United States Par 7.d.6
State or Local Instrumentality

A public higher education organization

A municipal water district

A metro 9-1-1 district

 Par 7.d.6
Entity Type Example Reference1
State or Local Government A City or State government in the United States Par 7.d.6
Entity Type Example Reference1
Firefighting Organization2 U.S. Forest Service Authorized Entity Par 7.d.4

Note 1: GSA Order OGP 4800.2I

Note 2: Firefighting Organizations may overlap with State or Local Instrumentalities.

I (b). What Types of Entities are Eligible (By Entity Type)

Entity Type Example Sources3 Reference4
Federal Agency Exeuctive Department of Commerce a, b Par 7.a.1
Federal Agency Legislative Library of Congress a, b Par 7.b.1
Federal Agency Judicial U.S. Tax Court a, b Par 7.b.1
Federal Independent Establishment Executive Merit Systems Protection Board a, b Par 7.a.3
Federal Independent Establishment Legislative Delaware River Basin Commission a, b Par 7.b.1
Federal Government Corporation Wholly Owned Millennium Challenge Corporation a, b Par 7.a.2
Federal Government Corporation Mixed Ownership Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation a, b Par 7.b.2
District of Columbia District of Columbia Public Schools a, b Par 7.b.3
U.S. Territory Government of Virgin Islands a, b Par 7.e.2
Tribal Organization ISDEAA Muscogee Creek Nation a, b Par 7.d.5
Tribal Organization NAHASDA & TCSA Cocopah Indian Housing and Development a, b Par 7.d.5
State or Local Government A City or State government in the United States c, d, e, f Par 7.d.6
State or Local Instrumentality

A public higher education organization

A municipal water district

A metro 9-1-1 district

 c, d, e Par 7.d.6
Firefighting Organization5 U.S. Forest Service Authorized Entity g Par 7.d.4
Foreign Assistance Organization International Monetary Fund a, b Par 7.e.3
Contractor Cost Reimbursement Time & Material or Labor Hour Contracts a, b Par 7.d.1, 7.d.2
Contractor Fixed Price Security Contracts a, b Par 7.d.3
Other National Institute for the Deaf a, b Par 7.d.7, 7.e.1, 7.e.4

Note 3: a = GSA Schedules - All, b = GSA Multi-Agency Contracts - All, c = GSA Schedules - IT (70) and Security (84), d = Disaster Emergency Response, e = Counterdrug and Homeland Security Activities, f = Public Health Emergency Response, g = Fire Program Supplies

Note 4: GSA Order OGP 4800.2I

Note 5: Firefighting Organizations may overlap with State or Local Instrumentalities.

II. Who has Already Been Determined Eligible

The list of existing eligible entities [PDF - 33 KB] identifies those that have already been determined eligible. This list is updated regularly. This list includes the entities identified in the appendices of GSA Order OGP 4800.2I as well as known entities determined eligible since the order was issued. This is not a fully exhaustive list of eligible entities. Entities not included on the list may submit a request for an eligibility determination following the procedures below.

III. How to Request an Eligibility Determination

Entities are encouraged to review the list of existing eligible entities before submitting a request. All entities requesting eligibility determinations must submit the following information to spe.request@gsa.gov.

  1. Identify the entity type from the chart in Section I (a) or Section I (b) above (e.g., State or Local Instrumentality, Tribal Organization ISDEAA).
  2. Identify the authority for the requesting entity (e.g., Statute creating the entity, Articles of Incorporation noting the entity's type). Include any specific citations to streamline the review (e.g., Section, Paragraph). Please note that Tax Certificates do not satisfy this requirement.
  3. Identify the sources of supply of interest, reference the chart in Section I (a) or Section I (b) above.
  4. Identify any additional information, limited to one page, to support the eligibility determination request.
  5. Provide copies of all supporting documentation, including referenced authorities.
  6. Provide a point of contact if additional information is required.

IV. What are the Eligibility Limitations

Eligibility determinations explicitly state what types of sources of supply are available to the entity. Limitations to the eligibility determination include:

  • Eligibility determinations cannot be transferred to a third party, such as a subcontractor.
  • Eligibility determinations do not include purchases for resale unless specifically authorized.
  • Eligibility determinations for Foreign Assistance are limited to purchases for civilian use only.
  • Eligibility determinations for a State or Local entity to use GSA sources do not mandate participation by a Schedule contractor, sales shall be voluntary to a State or Local entity.
  • Administrative support services from GSA for certain programs (e.g., GSA Advantage, GSA SmartPay) that may be provided to entities deemed eligible are not governed by this letter. Accessibility is determined by the specific program.
  • Eligibility to receive Federal Surplus Property is not covered by this page.

V. Who can I Contact with Eligibility Questions

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