Over the last two years, GSA has gradually introduced a new catalog management system, the FAS Catalog Platform (FCP). As the replacement for the Schedule Input Program (SIP), FCP enhances the user experience of managing a GSA Schedule catalog – but how is it different from SIP specifically? In this blog, we’ll compare and contrast the two catalog management systems, so you know what changes to expect as a GSA contractor who currently uses or will soon be using FCP.

We’ve talked a lot in recent blogs about the Trump administration’s impact on the federal market, but you may be wondering what its impact will be on state, local, and education (SLED) markets. While the recent Executive Orders (EOs) have created some uncertainty around federal funding to state and local governments, we’ll still see spending opportunities in SLED markets, specifically in areas aligning with the new administration’s priorities.

In the past year, we’ve seen several changes to government contracting regulations that affect small businesses specifically, including updates from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). Many of these changes benefit small business government contractors by increasing their government contracting opportunities and streamlining the acquisition processes.

Capturing government business can be difficult, even after you’ve acquired a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract. As a MAS contractor, you may not be qualified for certain opportunities based on the scope of your offerings. One solution to this challenge is to work with other contractors. Among other partnering options, Contractor Teaming Arrangements (CTAs) can help MAS contractors increase their odds of success in the federal marketplace. In this blog, we’ll discuss what you need to do to form a MAS Contractor Teaming Arrangement, including how to put together a CTA agreement.

For small businesses looking to break into government contracting, teaming up with an experienced business through a Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) can be a great strategy. In addition to the widely used MPP run by the Small Business Administration (SBA), contractors can participate in Mentor-Protégé Programs at specific federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense (DoD) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Cybersecurity is a constant priority in the IT government contracting space, with the government continually working to enhance cybersecurity practices as technology evolves. IT government contractors should be aware of both current and future cybersecurity regulations, so they can stay compliant now and in the future.