GETTING ON THE GSA SCHEDULE
How to Get on the GSA Schedule: The Five Phases
To get on the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), you complete GSA’s readiness steps, submit an offer through eOffer, work through GSA’s review and any negotiation, and, if GSA makes an award, complete post-award startup tasks. The process has five phases, and the paperwork is only part of it. This page gives the overview. Linked pages go deeper on each step.
Who should pursue a GSA Schedule?
A MAS contract fits companies that sell commercial products or services, have at least two years of corporate experience, can support their pricing, and are ready to market to federal buyers after award. Companies without those foundations often do better building past performance first or subcontracting to an existing schedule holder.
What are the five phases of getting on the GSA Schedule?
Phase 1: Prepare and confirm readiness
Before you build an offer, do the groundwork:
- Confirm your SAM.gov registration is active and accurate, and create your FAS ID with multi-factor authentication for eOffer.
- Identify the SINs that match what you sell. See GSA MAS Schedule Categories, SINs and How to Get Listed.
- Complete GSA’s Pathways to Success training (about four hours) and the Readiness Assessment.
- Gather corporate experience, financial statements, and past performance evidence.
- Collect the commercial pricing records you will use to support your proposed prices.
Phase 2: Build and submit the offer
Prepare your offer following the current offer instructions, SCP-FSS-001, and submit through eOffer. Content includes offering descriptions, past performance or project experience, financial information, pricing templates, and representations and certifications. See GSA MAS Offer Requirements.
Note that the Commercial Sales Practices (CSP-1) format is no longer part of MAS offers. Pricing support still matters, but you provide it through GSA’s templates and the contracting officer’s requests. See GSA Pricing Disclosures and Price Support.
Phase 3: GSA review and negotiation
A contracting officer reviews your offer, sends clarification requests, and evaluates responsibility and pricing. GSA aims to use existing government data before asking you for more. Respond quickly and consistently. Timing varies, and GSA’s Vendor Support Center has stated that processing can take up to 12 months. Nothing here is guaranteed.
Phase 4: Award and startup
If GSA makes an award, work through the award documents and startup tasks:
- Review the award and the contract terms, including the TDR clause and the Industrial Funding Fee.
- Complete required modifications in eMod.
- Load your catalog through the FAS Catalog Platform where applicable, and publish offerings to GSA Advantage.
- Set up your monthly sales reporting workflow and IFF payment process.
Phase 5: Manage and market the contract
After startup, the work continues:
- Report sales monthly through the FAS Sales Reporting Portal, including zero-sales confirmations.
- Remit the 0.75 percent IFF at least quarterly.
- Keep catalogs, pricing, and contract information current through modifications.
- Market to agencies and primes, respond to RFQs, and track your minimum sales criteria.
See Managing Your GSA MAS Contract and How to Get Federal Orders After Your GSA Award.
What mistakes slow down MAS offers?
- Choosing SINs that do not match your real offerings
- Submitting pricing you cannot document
- Letting clarification requests sit
- Working from outdated checklists that still call for CSP-1, Most Favored Customer analysis, or quarterly sales reporting
- Treating the award as the finish line instead of the starting line
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning your route to a GSA Schedule.
Timing, eligibility, and support
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How long does it take to get on the GSA Schedule?
It varies with the SIN, the quality of the offer, and how quickly you respond to GSA. GSA’s Vendor Support Center has indicated processing can take up to 12 months. See How Long Does a GSA MAS Contract Award Take?
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Do I need to be a small business?
No. Businesses of all sizes hold MAS contracts. Large businesses have additional requirements, such as subcontracting plans.
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Can I get on the schedule without a consultant?
Yes. GSA provides training, guides, and Vendor Support Center help. Consultants add value when your pricing, SIN strategy, or timeline is complex, but they are optional.
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Is there a fee to submit an offer?
There is no fee to submit an offer. After award, the Industrial Funding Fee applies to reported sales.
Get support at the right phase
Explore readiness, offer preparation, and the final startup steps after award.
Plan your path to a GSA contract
Talk with TurboGSA about your current stage and the steps needed to prepare, submit, and start using your contract.