About GSA
Schedules Getting on Schedule

GSA's  Schedules, also known as Multiple Award Schedules (MAS), are contracts that allow federal customers to acquire more than 4 million services and products directly from more than 8,600 commercial suppliers.

GSA Schedules cover a vast array of commercial items—from office supplies and copier paper to systems furniture, from computers to laboratory equipment, and services ranging from accounting to graphic design to landscaping. Customers can order services and products using the GSA Advantage!®  online ordering system.

To become a GSA Schedule contractor, a vendor must first submit an offer in response to the applicable GSA Schedule solicitation. GSA awards contracts to responsible companies that offer commercial items falling within the generic descriptions in the GSA Schedule solicitations.

Contracting Officers determine whether prices are fair and reasonable by comparing the prices/discounts that a company offers the government with the prices/discounts that the company offers to its commercial customers. This negotiation objective is commonly known as "most favored customer" pricing. To make this comparison, GSA requires offerors to provide commercial pricelists and disclose information regarding their pricing/discounting practices.

   Getting Started:

Identify the GSA Schedule solicitation that covers the vendor's services or products. This step may be accomplished by any of the following methods:

  • Review the "GSA Schedule Solicitations" link to determine the applicable GSA Schedule and corresponding solicitation number under which the services or products may be offered. A point of contact is provided for each Schedule solicitation. If the applicable Schedule solicitation can be identified by this method, click on the Solicitation Number to be linked directly to the solicitation files in FedBizOpps. Download the solicitation and follow the instructions in the  document.
  • Search Schedules e-Library by keyword to identify services or products covered by GSA Schedules. Each GSA Schedule has a point of contact that can provide specific information about individual Schedule items. If the applicable solicitation can be identified by this method, click on "Vendors:  View Solicitation on FedBizOpps.gov." Download the solicitation and follow the instructions in the document.
  • Visit FedBizOpps to obtain a copy of the GSA Schedule solicitation. The "Helpful Hints for Using FedBizOpps" link provides step-by-step information as to how vendors may search by GSA office, solicitation number, or keyword to locate and download the applicable Schedule solicitation. Follow the instructions in the solicitation document.

Other helpful hints to assist vendors in obtaining a GSA Schedule contract:

  • Obtain an Open Ratings Inc. reference check (see Past Performance Evaluation form in solicitation) and make sure the company is financially sound.
  • Complete all information in the solicitation and be ready to negotiate the company's best offer.
   Training:

The FSS Center for Acquisition Excellence Virtual Campus offers the online, self-paced training course, "How to Become a Contractor—GSA Schedules Program." The course describes various features of the GSA Schedules Program, how to submit an offer, the evaluation and contract award process, successful marketing of services and products, and identifies sources of information related to Schedule contract administration.

The Information Technology (IT) Acquisition Center offers IT training seminars for GSA Schedule 70 on "How to Prepare a Quality Offer."

GSA's Office of Small Business Utilization offers workshops on "How to Obtain a GSA Schedule Contract." Details regarding these sessions are available on the Office of Small Business Utilization website.

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Last Modified 7/6/2004