What is the difference between "traditional" Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and BPAs established under the GSA Schedules Program in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-3?

Although the objective of both "traditional" BPAs and GSA Schedules BPAs (also known as Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) BPAs) is to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies and services, "traditional" BPAs are subject to the requirements of FAR Part 13 whereas, with the exception of FAR 13.303-2(c), which states that "BPAs may be established with GSA Federal Supply Schedule contractors...," FAR Part 13 does not apply to GSA Schedule BPAs. FAR 8.405-3 states that ordering activities may establish BPAs under any Schedule contract to fill recurring needs.

What are the benefits of a GSA Schedule Contractor Team Arrangement (CTA)?

• Satisfies the customer with a single solution;
• Increases competitive edge;
• Increases market share;
• Increases visibility;
• Focuses on core capabilities;
• Obtains complementary capabilities;
• Integrates different skills;
• Offers additional opportunities with customers;
• Builds direct relationships with customers;
• Maximizes use of one or more GSA Schedule solutions;
• Shares risks and rewards;
• Allows more opportunities for small and small disadvantaged businesses; and
• Reduces the number of items Schedule contractors need to carry on their Schedule contracts, thus reducing inventory and tracking costs.

This is a brief video highlighting the top benefits:

 

What is a GSA Schedule Contractor Team Agreement (CTA)?

A GSA Schedule Contractor Team Agreement (CTA) is an arrangement between two or more GSA Schedule contractors to work together to meet agency requirements. The CTA document is a written agreement between team members detailing the responsibilities of each team member.

The CTA allows the contractor to meet the government agency needs by providing a total solution that combines the supplies and/or services from the team members' separate GSA Schedule contracts. It permits contractors to complement each other's capabilities to compete for orders for which they may not independently qualify. A customer benefits from a CTA by buying a solution, rather than making separate buys from various contractors.

What are the differences between the Cooperative Purchasing Program and the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program?

The primary distinctions between the Cooperative Purchasing Program and the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program involve the particular GSA Schedules authorized for use and the conditions under which products and services may be purchased.

The Cooperative Purchasing Program authorizes state and local government entities to purchase products and services from contracts awarded under GSA Schedule 70, the Consolidated Schedule (IT SINs), and Schedule 84. The Cooperative Purchasing Program places no restrictions on how or when the products and services may be used.

The Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program authorizes state and local government entities to purchase products and services from contracts awarded under all GSA Schedules. The products and services purchased under the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program may be used to facilitate recovery from a major disaster, terrorism, or nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack. State and local government entities may use GSA Schedule contracts to purchase products and services in advance of a disaster declared by the president, as well as in the aftermath of an emergency event.

Yes and no. That almost sounds like bureaucrat speak! Let us clarify.

The Cooperative Purchasing Program in the GSA Schedules program only allows for state and local government entities to purchase from contracts awarded under

• GSA IT Schedule 70, Information Technology,
• GSA Schedule 00 - contracts containing IT SINs awarded under the Consolidated (formerly Corporate Contracts) Schedule,
• GSA Schedule 84, Total Solutions for Law Enforcement, Security, Facility Management Systems, Fire, Rescue, Special Purpose Clothing, Marine Craft, and Emergency/Disaster Response. 

State and local government entities may not use the Cooperative Purchasing Program to purchase products and services from contracts awarded under any other GSA Schedules.

Exceptions for ALL GSA Schedules

But State and local governments can buy off of ANY GSA under these programs:

Disaster Recovery Purchasing – Supplies and services can be purchased directly from Schedule contractors to aid in recovery from Presidentially-declared major disasters or acts of terrorism.

1122 Program – Authorized state and local units of government may purchase equipment from selected GSA Schedules and Special Item Numbers (SINs), in support of

• counter-drug, 
• emergency response, and 
• homeland security activities.

Public Health Emergencies – State, local, territorial, and tribal governments can purchase goods and services from all Schedules, using federal grant monies, in direct response to declared public health emergencies.

So having a GSA contract can be quite helpful in obtaining state business.

Cooperative purchasing is a term used by GSA to describe the ability for state and local agencies to buy off of certain GSA Schedules.

Cooperative Purchasing allows GSA to provide states and localities access to certain items offered through the General Services Administration's:

• Federal Supply Schedule 70, Information Technology (IT), 
• Consolidated (formerly Corporate Contracts) Schedule contracts, containing IT Special Item Numbers (SINs). The information technology available to state and local governments includes automated data processing equipment (including firmware), software, supplies, support equipment, and services.
• GSA Schedule 84 (Total Solutions for Law Enforcement, Security, Facility Management Systems, Fire, Rescue, Special Purpose Clothing, Marine Craft, and Emergency/Disaster Response).

Schedule 84's products and services available to state and local governments include alarm and signal systems, facility management systems, firefighting and rescue equipment, law enforcement and security equipment, marine craft and related equipment, special purpose clothing, and related services.

For the legal minded:  

Section 211 of the E-Government Act of 2002 (the Act) amended the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act to allow for "Cooperative Purchasing." 

Public Law 110-248, the Local Preparedness Acquisition Act, amended the "Cooperative Purchasing" provisions of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act to allow the Administrator of General Services to provide states and localities access to certain items offered through GSA's Federal Supply Schedule 84