The General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule is the preferred purchasing method for many government agencies. Becoming an approved supplier on the GSA schedule may be a complex process, but the opportunities for generating new government business may help make it a worthwhile effort.
More than 19,000 businesses nationwide enjoy the benefits of being on the GSA Schedule. A place on the schedule means that your specified products and services have been approved by the General Services Administration (GSA) and that your company is listed as a prequalified GSA vendor to the hundreds of local, state and federal government agencies that purchase goods and services. Nearly 50 billion dollars are spent on GSA Schedule purchase each year.
There are over 40 GSA Schedules, each dedicated to specific products or services.
Four Steps of Getting on the GSA Schedule
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) oversees the acquisition and management of federal government resources. It uses the GSA Schedule, a collection of long-term, government wide contracts, to provide agencies with access to products and services from commercial vendors. Becoming a GSA Schedule contractor can also significantly expand your opportunities as a woman-owned small business. Here are four steps to getting on the GSA Schedule.
1. Check if your products or services are covered by the GSA Schedule
Click on a schedule number to view its Schedule Summary page in the GSA e-Library. Here you can find the specific products and services they cover. Selecting a specific category on a Schedule Summary page allows you to view current contractors along with the products and services they offer and their current price lists. Use this information to get an idea how your company and offerings compare. The vendor list can also help you identify teaming partners.
2. Submit a proposal in response to a Solicitation
To view current Solicitations within your product or service category, click on the “Vendors” box on a schedule summary page. Information required to respond to a Solicitation varies, but generally includes corporate and financial details, a proposed price list and a past performance evaluation from Open Ratings, a division of DUN & Bradstreet.
3. Promote your goods & services
Being on a GSA Schedule does not guarantee sales.
4. Upload your pricing and company information to GSA Advantage so agencies can find it easily
Consider adding content to your website geared toward the agencies you are targeting so they can find relevant information and see what your business is about.
You can also do business with the government while waiting to get on a GSA Schedule. We are presenting some of the alternatives:
• GSA Global Supply: Able to move approximately 4,000 National Stock Numbers (NSNs) to industry partners, and to use their resources to fulfill customer requisitions.
• Government wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs): Provide access to IT solutions such as system design, software engineering, information assurance, and enterprise architecture solutions.
• Subcontracting Directory: Published for small business concerns seeking subcontracting opportunities with GSA prime contractors. The directory lists large business prime contractors who, by law, are required to establish plans and goals for subcontracting with small business firms.
• U.S. Small Business Administration Subcontracting Network: Place where prime contractors post “Solicitation” or “Notice of Sources Sought” (NSS) for small businesses.
• Vet Biz Website: Government website where Veteran- Owned Small Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses can be certified.
