Getting on the GSA Schedule

Getting a GSA Schedule Program and its Advantages

Getting a GSA Schedule contract enables firms to get government business without the need to respond to costly RFPs and RFQs and myriad confusing contract requirements.  Getting a GSA Schedule is all about the opportunity.  It provides businesses the ability to sell to any Federal agency knowing that all terms and conditions have already been negotiated.  No more contractual roadblocks stop your progress. It provides businesses with many significant advantages when pursuing federal work.

Never heard of a GSA Schedule contract?  Perhaps it is because it is known by many synonymous terms such as:

• GSA Schedule
• MAS
• GSA Listing, or
• GSA Number  

Why Get a GSA Contract?

You should consider getting into the GSA Schedule program since it:

• Helps avoid open competitions
• Simplifies proposals
• Minimizes complex Federal contracting issues
• Provides marketing cache and "stamp of approval."
• Shortens the time for Agencies to issue contracts to you (about 14 days compared to 268 days for conventional Federal contracts).Is a contracting vehicle of choice for procurement officers.
• Allows you to sell to state and local governments under some circumstances.
• GSA marketing support (free mailing lists, free advertising in GSA's magazine, listing in GSA Advantage, and exposure to multiple government procurement sites).

GSA Sales

The GSA schedule program is widely used by Federal Agencies, as is depicted in the following chart.  In Fiscal Year 2010 (ended September 30, 2010) GSA Schedule sales exceeded $38.8 billion.

While there are many other types of government contracts available to businesses, having a GSA contract (or VA contract for medical products and services) is an essential tool in your federal marketing toolbox.  This is especially true if you are a small business with few or no other government contracts.