If your company is based outside of the U.S., you may be wondering how you can do business with the U.S. federal government. For foreign companies who plan to use a government contracting vehicle to sell to government agencies, acquiring a NATO Commercial and Government Entity Code (NCAGE Code) and registering your company in the System for Award Management (SAM) are the first two crucial steps you will need to take. In this blog we’ll cover what you need to know about NCAGE Codes, who needs one, and how to register.

Tracking sales and pricing is not only a huge part of assessing the growth and development of your company, it’s also required for GSA Schedule contractors. Every month or quarter, depending on the type of reporting you opt into, you’ll need to track and submit your GSA sales and submit them in the FAS Sales Reporting Portal (SRP). This sales reporting data is necessary for contract compliance and helps to track the performance of your GSA Schedule contract.

The new Vendor Support Center is here—as part of their initiative to make outdated sites easier to navigate, GSA has recently modernized the Vendor Support Center (VSC). While the Vendor Support Center has always been an important resource for GSA contractors, the update to the site allows contractors to find educational information in a more structured and efficient way. This blog will cover what the VSC has to offer and how you can use this resource to your advantage.

When it comes to traveling, whether it’s for a vacation, visiting family, or for work, expenses can pile up. Luckily, for GSA Schedule contract holders, several costs associated with traveling under your contract are covered by Joint Travel Regulations (JTRs). Joint Travel Regulations establish travel and transportation allowances. Depending on the agency you are performing the work under, JTRs could also be referred to as Federal Travel Regulations (FTRs), which are similar in nature. Here’s what you need to know about Joint Travel Regulations and when they apply to you.

Once you receive your GSA Schedule, it’s important to consider the maintenance and compliance required to successfully manage your contract. While you’ve overcome the significant hurdle of getting your GSA Schedule awarded, you are not off the hook for the remainder of your contract. There are steps you need to take to ensure your contract complies with GSA regulations and requirements. If you fail to adhere to some of the regulations, you could risk getting your contract cancelled. To avoid contract cancellation and to maximize contract success, we put together a blog of some important rules you should keep in mind throughout the life of your GSA Schedule.

Once you are awarded your GSA Schedule contract, it does not automatically mean you will have orders streaming in from government agencies. Knowing what government contracting opportunities are available is an essential part of being a successful contractor. To significantly increase your chances of contracting success, you should be proactive about finding opportunities that fit your solutions. The good thing is, there are several GSA resources you can use to discover business in the federal marketplace, like SAM.gov. We put together this blog to show you the step-by-step process on how you can use the site to easily search for procurement opportunities.