Hiring a consultant to help you through the GSA contract process is an excellent idea, but what happens after you get the contract? Can that same consultant help you through an audit or an extension? Can they help you find new government customers? You should find answers to these questions before you engage with a qualified GSA consultant.

Prior to or immediately after your GSA contract award, you should have a training session to brief sales reps on the benefits and requirements  of this new GSA contract.  The basics include

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).

TurboGSA has petitioned the President of the United States to increase opportunities for small businesses to win Federal contracts by raising the Simplified Acquisitions ceiling to $500,000.  This petition was filed on the White House’s new “We the People” website.  This petition requires 5,000 votes for it to be considered by the White House.  Your support would be greatly appreciated. If a petition gets  enough support, the Obama Administration will issue an official response. You can view the petition by visiting the White House site here: http://wh.gov/gA3 

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.

Many government contractors remain skeptical about the value of social media in federal marketing.  Others are uncertain about how to use social media to improve B2G marketing even while many smart federal contractors are using social media to increase marketplace awareness and generate leads with great success.