Government contracting can be hard to get into—there’s so much to learn! However, like any field, you need to nurture it and let your knowledge grow. To help with that process, we’ve gathered some resources to help in three key areas: Instructional, Compliance, and Market Research.

Strengthening the security of federal networks, systems, and data is one of the most important challenges federal agencies face. Therefore, the General Services Administration (GSA) is changing how it provides access to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s cybersecurity program through the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program. GSA's newest Schedule 70 Special Item Number (SIN) 132-44, Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Tools, is a dynamic approach to strengthening the cybersecurity of government networks and systems. The jointly administered program by DHS and the GSA currently operates under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) which will expire in August, 2018. The GSA began the BPA-to-GSA transition process by adding the SIN 132-44 to IT Schedule 70.

This update will affect SINS 520-16 through 520-20. The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is planning to release Refresh 28 of the 00CORP Professional Services Schedule (PSS) in Mid-November 2017. This update will implement a variety of changes to the scope of Special Item Numbers (SINs) 520-16, 520-17, and 520-20. It will also delete SINs 520-18 and 520-19 in order to redefine Data Breach Response and Identity Protection Services under PSS. These changes help to embrace the transition seen in data breach response and help create a proactive solution for identity protection.

Maintain compliance by keeping up to date with TAA policies! The 2016 Presidential election was filled with a lot of “America first” rhetoric. Within the Trump Administration, that language is continued and there will very likely be an increased importance of American made products purchased through the GSA. With that in mind, reviewing the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and what it means for GSA spending is important for contractors and buyers alike. The Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. & 2501-2581) of 1979 was enacted to foster fair and open international trade, but more importantly, it implemented the requirement that the U.S. Government may acquire only U.S. – made or designated – end products.

FedMall will change the way government agencies procure their goods! Federal Mall (FedMall) has gone live, as of June 19th! The idea behind FedMall is to improve upon EMALL, which was created by the Department of Defense (DoD). It will sell Commercial Off-The-Shelf items (COTS) and will replace the DOD EMALL. Here are some things to be aware of as you’re transitioning from DoD EMALL to FedMall.