How to Get On the GSA Schedule

What is the GSA Schedule?

A GSA Schedule is also known as Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). These contracts cover various types of products and services. These Schedules provide ordering offices a wide range of potential commercial sources with reduced procurement lead time. Each contract is for a base period of five (5) years with 3 five year options for a total of 20 years.In addition to the Federal Government a variety of international organizations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund , American Red Cross can use the Schedules. Once the GSA Schedule is in place, ordering activities place orders under it.

Why do companies need to get on the GSA Schedule to sell to the US Government?

A company does not have to have a Schedule contract to do business with the Government but being on Schedule acts as a “Good Housekeeping seal of approval” because it tells Government agencies that a firm has been “vetted” by a trusted government source.

What are the minimum qualifications for getting on the GSA Schedule?

A company must have been in business for a minimum of two years. One of the solicitation requirements is financial information from the last two company fiscal years.

What is the typical process for getting on the GSA Schedule?

GSA has open Solicitations which means they have no closing date. A company prepares a proposal in response to the Solicitation requirements and submits them using the GSA system eOffer. eOffer requires a digital certificate issued by one of two authorized companies.

Are there different types of GSA schedule contracts for different industries or products?

There are 31 GSA Schedules and 9 Veteran Administration (VA) Schedules covering a variety of products and services. Products and Services are categorized by Federal Supply Groups and then by Special Item Numbers (SINs).

What is a small business certification?

Each of the SINs identifies the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code(s) for that SIN. Size standards are determined based on the Contractor’s past three year average sales or the number of employees established for each code.

What does it cost to get on the GSA Schedule?

Preparing the proposal is a collaborative effort between the Contractor and KAA.Typically, it takes approximately 60 hours of support time which approximates $12 to $13,000.

How much time does it take?

Experience has shown that it takes approximately 3 months to put the proposal together as most contractors cannot devote full time to proposal preparation. If they are able to provide full time proposal preparation, offers have been submitted within a month.

What mistakes do you see companies making when they apply for the first time?

Companies that are not familiar with Government procedures often do not address the solicitation elements fully or as GSA requires. The GSA review process is unforgiving and if there are elements that are incomplete, the offer will be rejected.GSA does provide a Letter with the reasons for rejection.

What do you do for your clients?

We supplement the contractor staff to the extent the contractor wishes. We provide guidance through each step and complete various elements of the proposal as the contractor desires. We provide a helpful checklist that identifies all the required documentation and various templates to focus the contractor proposal preparation.

Should I hire a law form to get on the GSA schedule?

Most of our Clients do not engage a law firm but the Government has a myriad of required clauses so if a contractor is uncomfortable with understanding these clauses having legal counsel would be advisable.

Lynda Zelnick was a senior contracting officer at the Naval Air Systems Command, Housing & Urban Development and Commerce Department. Lynda has handled every aspect of the federal procurement process and specializes in operations, training, and program reviews. Her understanding of the GSA Schedule process is unparalleled.

Tim Vigotsky has overseen procurement operations at both the Treasury and Interior Departments while leading and directing large organizations within these two cabinet level agencies. He has been CEO at KAA Federal for seven years.

KAA Federal was founded in 1984 with the mission to help the federal Government run more efficiently. Thirty-five years later that operating premise remains the foundation for the company.KAA has assisted many companies over the years obtain GSA Schedules and has further guided these companies with the many reporting requirements mandated by GSA upon Schedule holders.KAA’s “batting average” in successfully getting clients approved by GSA for Schedules is far above the competition.