A vendor will often be asked during a sales call if they have a GSA number. This refers to your GSA Contract number. When asked this question, the Federal agency is simply asking if you have a GSA Schedule contract and if so, what the contract number is. GSA contract numbers follow this format: GS-XXX-XXXX.
If you can tell person your GSA number, then they are happy, because they know they can work with you pretty easily. If not, then they usually sigh while shrinking into their seat. That means that they are disappointed because while they like what you can offer them, they know that contracting with you will be more diffuicult.
How does having a GSA Number differ from being on the GSA Schedule?
There is no difference. These terms are synonymous with each other and are all terms that generally refer a GSA Schedule contract:
- GSA contract,
- GSA schedule,
- Federal Supply schedule,
- multiple award schedule,
- being on the schedule, or
- GSA number