GSA has recently announced that it has rolled out a major update to GSA Advantage! that enhances its functionality by introducing "Related Products," a rebranding of what was previously called "Product Accessories." This update simplifies acquisition for government buyers by making accessories more visible, easier to find, and accessible either as standalone purchases or accessories to base line items. In this blog, we’ll cover what the updates are and what contractors should be on the lookout for in the future.
What are “Related Products” in GSA Advantage?
Previously known as “Product Accessories,” “Related Products” are line items designed to complement or enhance a base item. This can include printer toner, docking stations, or replacement parts. The related parts will be clearly linked to a base item for easy customer identification on GSA Advantage!.
With the new update, related products are no longer tethered exclusively to a base product. Agencies will be able to search, compare, and purchase related products on GSA Advantage!. This will make the purchasing process for buyers much more efficient and streamline the acquisition process. These updates will not only benefit the buyer, but allow for contractors to more easily access markets they were previously unable to. You will see the new updates reflected both in the legacy SIP/EDI and in the FAS Catalog Platform (FCP).
Major Updates to GSA Advantage
- Rebranding to “Related Products” - Product Accessories have been renamed “Related Products.” This will align better with these products’ functionality. This update reflects their role as complementary items to base products while increasing their visibility. Please note that in SIP/EDI and FCP, they will still be labeled as “Accessories.”
- Independent Search and Purchase - Customers can now search for and purchase Related Products independently from the base product. This allows Related Products to act as both standalone products and accessories linked to base items.
- Enhanced Comparison Tools - GSA Advantage will now include Related Products in the Compare Available Sources section of the Product Detail page. This allows users to easily compare sources for Related Products. The update is designed to support better decision-making by simplifying how related items are evaluated across vendors.
These updates will allow for buyers to more easily view and compare similar or same products that competitors are selling on GSA Advantage!.
Required Actions for Vendors:
There are a few steps that contractors need to be on the lookout for and complete in order to add accessories to their GSA Schedule contract. Below, we’ll cover the steps involved in getting your catalog updated with related products.
- Add Related Products as Accessories in the PRODUCTS Tab
- FCP Users - Accessories can be added in the [PRODUCTS] tab of the Product File, just as you would for your base products. Use [Item Type] “A” for Accessory and “B” for Base.
- SIP/EDI Users - In the Product Price Proposal Template (PPT), add the accessory product and relate it to the base item in the [PRODXACC] tab. In SIP or EDI, assign the accessory as Item Type “A” in the “iProd” tab and include pricing in the “iPricing” tab.
- Related the Related Products to their Base Item
- FCP Users - In the Product File, use the “PRODXACC” tab to link accessories to their base item. Provide the base item’s manufacturer and part number, along with the accessory’s manufacturer and part number.
- SIP/EDI Users: In SIP/EDI, relate accessories to base items using the “iACCXPRO” tab, specifying the base and accessory manufacturer and part numbers.
- Publish Accessories as Related Products on GSA Advantage
- Products with accessories will show a “Related Products” button near the “Add to Cart” button. Clicking this button takes users to the Related Products tab, where accessories are searchable and purchasable independently but still linked to the base item.
- Update or Delete Related Products from your catalog
- Ensure to submit the proper modification to remove the obsolete accessory. This will be done through eMod utilizing a Delete Product Modification. When the modification is approved, ensure that the item is removed from the FCP and associated PRODXACC Tab in SIP.
If you don’t want your accessories to be available as standalone items, please ensure they are removed from your Product File (for FCP users) or your SIP/EDI.
Best Practices for Contractors When Applying "Related Products"
GSA has released a set of helpful tips when listing your accessories and baseline products on GSA Advantage!. Contractors should keep these in mind when uploading your products catalog:
- List items that must be installed with the base item as options, not accessories.
- List items that can be sold separately as accessories.
- Do not add new accessories to an existing base item using the Add Product action in FCP.
- Include photos for accessories as you would for base items.
- Use distinct manufacturer part numbers (MPN) and units of measure (UOM) for base and accessory items to prevent duplicate flags.
- Provide clear and detailed descriptions for each accessory, highlighting how it complements the base item. This helps customers understand the value and relevance of the accessory.
- Limit the number of accessories linked to a single base item to avoid overwhelming customers. Focus on the best selling accessories.
If contractors are able to follow these best practices for adding related products to their GSA Schedule, it will boost visibility and competitiveness of your contract. These practices will allow your business to grow and adapt to the changing needs of the federal government. If you are unsure of how to effectively update your GSA Schedule to include related products, please reach out to one of our Winvale consultants today!