GSA Announces Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Refresh #17

Right at the heels of Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation Refresh #16 which was released in late May, GSA has announced the release of Solicitation Refresh #17. By the end of July 2023, GSA plans to release Refresh #17 along with a Mass Modification. This Refresh will include changes to the overall solicitation as well as specific Large Category changes, so this applies to all GSA Schedule contractors no matter what product or service you offer. Here’s what you need to know about this update, so you are prepared for when it’s released.

Changes to the Overall Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation

The following changes affect the overall MAS Solicitation:

1. In Refresh #16, GSA removed language that indicates proposed pricing must be highly competitive in order to be considered fair and reasonable. However, in Refresh #17, additional updates are required to completely remove all references to this language.
2. There will also be an update to clarify sustainability requirements and reference the GSA Green Procurement Compilation. To accomplish this, GSA will add the language below under Section III. A. Terms and Conditions Related to Schedule Contract Administration. You can view the full text and language here. 

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) requires contractors to identify sustainable products under Federal Supply Service schedule contracts on GSA Advantage! and other communication media. Contractors should use GSA’s Green Procurement Compilation to determine if awarded products meet federal sustainable purchasing requirements. For task and delivery orders under this contract, unless an exemption or exception applies, products and services purchased by federal agencies must meet the following applicable statutory mandates and directives.

3. As we all may know by now, Refresh #16 brought much anticipated Joint Venture guidance, and in Refresh #17, GSA intends to extend the MAS JV requirements. They will include instructions for existing JV MAS contractors in the SF30 Attachment to the MAS Solicitation, and will update the Solicitation attachment on GSA.gov to reflect that it applies to both JV offerors and existing JV contracts.
4. As for every Refresh, GSA plans to incorporate clause and provision updates, as necessary, through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2023-04 and GSAR Change 166. This does include the new Tik Tok clause, which has stirred up a lot of conversation, prohibiting the app to be used on all devices used and related to federal agencies.

This refresh also includes the implementation of the GSA and Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Partnership agreement, which we’ll discuss below.

Implementing the GSA/SBA 8(a) Partnership Agreement

GSA and SBA have recently signed a revised 8(a) Partnership Agreement that aims to increase contracting opportunities for 8(a) contractors. The idea is to make it easier for government buyers to purchase from 8(a) contractors, a group of small disadvantaged businesses who are part of the 8(a) Business Development Program, by creating a unique MAS 8(a) pool. Refresh #17 will have guidelines for this agreement, including:

• Existing 8(a) MAS contractors who are currently active in the 8(a) program have already been offered acceptance by SBA into the pool. A modification will be issued to these contractors and they must accept it to be placed in the pool.
• For new 8(a) offerors, 8(a) contractors seeking a GSA Schedule who are currently a part of the 8(a) Program will be offered to SBA for acceptance into the MAS 8(a) pool at the time of their offer. Once the eligibility is confirmed and accepted, the contract will be added into the pool.
• Once in the pool, MAS 8(a) contractors will be eligible for both competitive and sole source set aside awards through their GSA Schedules.
• GSA will be updating offer instructions to reflect this agreement, so all of this information will be included for all new offerors to see.

Changes Specific to Large Categories and Special Item Numbers (SINs)

Refresh #17 will also include changes to specific Large Categories, Subcategories, and Special Item Numbers (SINs). Here’s what you need to know.

Facilities (Large Category B)

The Facilities Large Category (B) will have one small change in the Refresh to SIN 561210FAC - Facilities Maintenance and Management. The SIN description will be updated to add the words “offered or,” so it will read as follows:

561210FAC Includes all services related to the complete operations, maintenance and repair of federal real property. Real property could include stand-alone facilities and structures such as hospitals and federal buildings to large, multi-facility complexes such as DoD military installations. Services can be offered or ordered individually or in combination. Typical maintenance services include: elevator, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, septic, fire alarm/fire suppression, energy management control systems (EMCS), water distribution, septic, telephone, water tanks, renewable energy systems, waste management, recycling, etc. This SIN can also be used for facilities management solutions such as to fulfill a requirement for adequate staff/personnel to help manage federal facility operations. In addition, this SIN provides a complete array of facilities consulting and facilities assessment services.

Industrial Products (Large Category E)

In the Industrial Products Category, SIN 332510C - Hardware Store, Home Improvement Center, Industrial or General Supply Store, or Industrial Maintenance Repair and Operations (MRO) Distributor – Catalog, is updating the SIN instruction note:

NOTE: Contractors submitting an offer for this SIN must be a hardware store, home improvement center or MRO, and shall include offer a diverse line of products and related services that would normally be found in a commercial hardware store, home improvement center or MRO. Requests that are not diversified in nature will not be considered. Diversity is considered to be a minimum of three (3) or more distinct categories or distinct product groups (not brands name or manufacturers) which may include but are not limited to: flooring, fencing, hardware, building materials, tools, appliances, electrical, paint, plumbing, lawn and garden, motors, shop, machining, welding, material handling, carts/trucks, dock equipment, HVAC, cleaning, irrigation and related services.

Professional Services (Large Category H)

Under the Professional Services Large Category, the SIN SIN 541611 Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Grants Management Support, and Business Program and Project Management Services, will now have a new subgroup. The subgroup will be Program Evaluation Services.

Transportation and Logistics Services (Large Category K)

In the Transportation and Logistics Services (Large Category K), GSA removed “highly competitive” language of the SIN specific Price Proposal Templates under SINs 492110 - Package Delivery and Freight Trucking, and 492110SB - Local Courier Delivery Services. Additionally, “highly competitive” language was also removed from SINs 485 - Ground Transportation, and 532111 - Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing - Rental Supplemental Vehicle Program (RSVP).

Travel (Large Category L)

Just as like the category above, in the Travel Large Category, “highly competitive” language was removed from SIN specific Price Proposal Templates from SINs 531 - Employee Relocation Solution and SIN 531110 - Long Term Lodging.

Stay On Top of Future GSA Schedule Changes

Now that we have covered the changes in Refresh #17, you will be ready for when GSA releases the Mass Modification. Contractors have 90 days to accept the Mass Mod after it’s officially released, which is anticipated by the end of July 2023. 

To stay on top of future GSA changes, subscribe to our blog and our monthly government contracting newsletter. If you have questions about your GSA Schedule or accepting the Mass Mod, we would be happy to help you.