As some of you may have discovered if you recently tried to update your GSA supply catalog, you may get a notice that UPC codes are required on products listed under certain SINS when uploading to GSA Advantage. 

Many firms come to us seeking to obtain a GSA contract. We always explore the reasons why a business wants to obtain a GSA contract, to make sure it makes sense for them.  The most obvious reason is that small businesses are seeking to obtain more sales from Federal agencies and believe a GSA contract can help. But digging deeper, at times we find that a GSA Schedule would not be appropriate for some firms. However, we often hear many good reasons why the company is seeking a GSA contract.  Here are ten reasons frequently given for why they are looking for a GSA contract.

Many of you may have spent a lot of time in the past few weeks playing games with your children or grandchildren.  Or perhaps some of you are kids at heart and received some of your own games during the holidays.  Many of these games were probably electronic PlayStation, Xbox or Wii games.  But what about the good old fashioned board games.

The General Services Administration (GSA) was established in 1949 by President Harry Truman. The original mission of the GSA was to stockpile supplies for wartime, store and manage government records and dispose of surplus war supplies.

GSA’s eBuy system, is an online system that allows federal agencies to post requests for Quotations (RFQ) and requests for proposals RFP.  eBuy is a nice benefit of having a GSA contract that is exclusively available to GSA schedule contract holders. 

Many businesses that aspire to expand into the Federal market often conclude, and rightfully so, that obtaining a GSA Schedule contract could be a great tool in their  Federal marketing toolbox.  But some firms have been led to believe that all they need to do is simply apply for a GSA contract, as you might a business loan from your bank. This is definitely not the case and there is no such thing as a GSA application. And while some people may use the term “application” in the vernacular, it tends to make one believe that the process is form driven and straightforward. This issue is not merely semantics; obtaining a GSA contract is serious business and requires a lot of thought and preparation.

GSA will begin using its new report card in the coming months during their audits, which they call contractor assistance visits (CAV).  Here are the questions that will be asked by your auditor, which GSA refers to as Industry Operations Analyst (IOA).

Do you have a GSA contract that is due to expire in the next year?  If so, you will want to take steps now so that GSA will exercise its option to extend the contract.   GSA will begin this process about  7 months prior to the expiration, so you should be prepared.  Here are seven things you can do now to pave the way to a smooth renewal.

Last week my ears perked up when President Obama announced that the government would pay small businesses with government contracts, including GSA contracts, more quickly.  I can already hear some of you skeptically saying “sure, I rarely get paid within 30 days already."   I understand, but then again, if they can make this work, then  many small businesses will receive payments much more quickly.  President Obama did not mention any details at the time but today SBA announced the details.  Currently required by law to pay within 30 days of receipt of a properly prepared invoice,  the QuickPay program cuts the time in half, to fifteen (15) days.

This is a presentation given by GSA at their May 2011 Expo.