Government Contracting Blog

While we are welcoming 2023, there are some aspects following us into the New Year. 2023 is not only the the year of the rabbit, but also the years of major IT Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs). The Information Technology (IT) community has been tracking major solicitations as they sit in protest purgatory or as they are in process of releasing draft and final Request for Proposals (RFPs). Let’s go through these opportunities and their journey into 2023.

If you are a GSA Schedule holder who offers services, you may be familiar with the Service Contract Act (SCA). The SCA was enacted in 1965 to protect those performing work for contractors and subcontractors. With the enactment of the Service Contract act, a series of regulations compliance requirements were initiated for both GSA Schedule holders and federal agencies. At Winvale, we have a lot of clients asking us if the SCA impacts them, so let’s review the SCA, SCA exemptions and compliance, and why it’s relevant for several GSA Schedule contractors.

Navigating the government contracting world as a small business can be daunting. Thankfully, small businesses have access to several resources to tap into such as small business set-asides and certain funding programs to help them get their foot in the door, such as the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). In this blog, we’ll cover the SBIR program and how contractors can use this program to their advantage.

While having a GSA Schedule gives you access to a whole new marketplace, it doesn’t automatically guarantee you government sales—you need to know where to look. Knowing what government contracting opportunities are available is an essential part of winning government awards. In the public sector, government contractors are responsible for responding to the needs of the buying agency so it’s important you know where to find these opportunities and that you are taking advantage of all the tools available to you.

Getting on the GSA Schedule is a great place to start selling to government entities, not only federal agencies, but also state and local entities. Many assume that the GSA Schedule is specific to federal buyers but in reality, the list of entities who can purchase via the GSA Schedule expands beyond that. GSA maintains a list of eligible entities that includes state and local agencies, educational institutions, and tribal governments. While your GSA Schedule invites access to many opportunities, many states have their own contracting vehicles and purchasing cooperatives that they prefer, and some are connected to the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). In this blog, we'll explore different ways you can sell to state and local entities. 

Market research is something you can expect to see throughout the life of your GSA Schedule. Market research can be used to determine ‘fair and reasonable pricing’ during the offer stage and for modifications. Market research can also be used during the procurement process for the buyer to determine the ‘best’ price for their needs. As a Schedule contract holder, it’s important for you to have a better understanding of why GSA collects market research and how this data shapes future purchasing decisions.