GSA plans to end the year with another update to the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation. Refresh #23 will be the third refresh of 2024, and includes several updates to both the entire solicitation as well as specific Large Categories and Special Item Numbers (SINs). The Refresh is expected to be released in December. Let’s review these updates so you are prepared when the Mass Modification is released.
The first few changes are routine with almost every MAS Solicitation Refresh. GSA plans to initiate an update to incorporate an updated Wage Determination (WD) index for Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) Wage Determinations. There are no clause changes, but contractors should ensure their pricing and WD numbers are updated and included in their Service Contract Act (SCA) matrix. All incorporated WDs can be found on GSA’s SCLS Wage Determinations page.
As always, GSA will make changes to the Offer and Modification Price Proposal Templates:
GSA will be incorporating new clause provisions regarding Single Use Plastic (SUP) Packaging and Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
GSA recently finalized the reduction of Single Use Plastic (SUP) rule which aims to reduce plastic waste and encourages suppliers to offer SUP to the maximum extent possible. SUP free packaging will include both shipping and brand packing. To reflect these changes, GSA will Add General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) 552.238-118, Single-use Plastic (SUP) Free Packaging Identification and GSAR 552.238-119, and Single-use Plastic (SUP) Free Packaging Availability clauses. New offerors offering SUP-free packaging will complete a provision in eOffer.
For current contractors, instructions will be added to the SF30 attachment in the MAS Solicitation. Awarded products with SUP-free packaging will be highlighted with a SUP-free packaging icon on GSA Advantage!. The SUP-free packaging icons will be applied on GSA Advantage! on December 19, 2024 (at the earliest). The packaging and brand icons are displayed below:
Next, we’ll discuss the Unmanned Aircraft Systems new provision. Since the Federal Register released an interim rule on the Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems From Covered Foreign Entities, GSA will implement this clause into the solicitation. This clause prohibits contractors from:
The clause also requires contractors to search SAM.gov to ensure they aren’t proposing or using any FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system (ex: drones). Public comment on this interim rule ends January 13, 2025, so we may see some more changes once the rule becomes final.
The Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Modification Guidance is every contractor’s bible to modifications. Any type of modification you want to complete, you can consult the guidance for exactly what documents you will need to submit in eMod. In Refresh #23, GSA plans to make some changes to the MAS Guidance, specifically in the Modification Guide and Sample cover letters on gsa.gov:
GSA also made specific changes to certain Large Categories and Special Item Numbers (SINs) in the solicitation. We’ll review them below.
In the Office Management Category, or Large Category A, there will be revised instructions for SINs 339940 - Office Products, 339940OS4 OS4 Office Products and Supplies, 339940OVER OS4 Overseas Office Products and Supplies, and 339940SVC Office Supply Support Services. The revised instructions are regarding the Freight on Board (FOB) note. It will now read:
FOB Note: FAR 52.247-32 - F.O.B. ORIGIN, FREIGHT PREPAID is only applicable under this SIN for individual items that are 70lbs or more. For the clause to be applicable, an individual item (based upon unit of issue) must be 70 lbs. or more.
For more information on the FOB note and how it impacts offerings at the item level, check out GSA’s significant changes document for Refresh #23.
In the Facilities Maintenance and Repair Subcategory, SIN 561210FAC - Facilities Maintenance and Management, GSA will remove “Renewable energy systems” from the SIN description and add the SIN instructions below:
Note: Waste management as defined for SIN 561210FAC is the processes involved in managing waste from cradle to grave. As defined for SIN 561210FAC, waste management is managed from cradle to grave. This includes the collection, transportation, and disposal of waste by landfill, incineration, recycling, and/or composting. It also includes monitoring waste materials produced as a result of human activity and recommending ways to minimize the generation of waste. To include the monitoring of waste materials produced as a result of human activity and recommending ways to minimize the generation of waste.
Note: Ancillary supplies are included under this SIN; however, supplies awarded under this SIN shall not be the primary purpose of the work but be an integral part of the total solution offered. Supplies provided under this SIN must be ancillary to the services offerings under this SIN and may only be ordered in conjunction with the purchase of services under this SIN.
The following SINs in the Furniture and Furnishings Category will have an added note to their SIN description: SINs 337121P Packaged Household Dormitory and Quarters Furniture, 337127P International Packaged Furniture, 33721P Packaged Office Furniture, and 339113P Packaged Healthcare Furniture.
The added note to the SIN description will say:
NOTE: Schedule-level Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTAs) apply to all orders under SIN 337121P, 337127P, 33721P and 339113P. The CTA Lead and Member(s) must be small businesses on set-aside orders. For more information on MAS Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTAs), please visit the ‘Team up with other MAS contractors’ gsa.gov page.
There are a few changes in the Industrial Products category.
Under SIN 332510S - Hardware Store, Home Improvement Center, Industrial or General Supply Store, or Industrial Maintenance Repair and Operations (MRO) Distributor - Store Front, GSA will remove the following statement from the SIN instructions:
"Contractors submitting an offer under this SIN shall include your complete storefront(s)."
For SINs 335220D Domestic Appliances and 335220E Export Appliances, the SIN instructions will be revised as they were in Office Management (Large Category A). The FOB Note will read:
FOB Note: FAR 52.247-32 - F.O.B. ORIGIN, FREIGHT PREPAID is only applicable under this SIN for individual items that are 70lbs or more. For the clause to be applicable, an individual item (based upon unit of issue) must be 70 lbs. or more.
For more information on the FOB note, take a look at GSA’s significant changes document for Refresh #23.
There’s quite a few changes to the IT Category, or Large Category F. First, in the 54151HACS Highly Adaptive Cybersecurity Services (HACS) SIN, GSA is adding SIN instructions:
NICE Framework is a nationally focused resource to help employers develop their cybersecurity workforce. It establishes a common lexicon that describes cybersecurity work and workers regardless of where or for whom the work is performed. The NICE Framework applies across public, private, and academic sectors and includes:
Additionally, GSA states that when submitting new offers or modifications to add the HACS SIN, offerors shall include in the “keywords” column of the Price Proposal Template (PPT) the NICE Framework work role IDs that align with the labor categories proposed.
Next, under SIN 518210FM Financial Management Quality Service Management Office (FM QSMO) Core Financial Management (FM) Solutions and IT Professional Services, there are several updates. The following templates and plans will have minor updates related to descriptions, interface requirements, and instructions. The full list can be found in GSA’s Interact post:
In this Large Category, we have minor updates to three SINs. Under SIN 532112 Leasing of Passenger Cars, SUVs, Vans and Light Trucks, there will be updates to SIN specific template and offer requirements document.
Under SINs 336212 Trailers and Attachments and 3361V Vocational Vehicles, GSA will add a note to Instructions that will read:
Offerors are encouraged to use alternative, sustainable materials to the maximum extent practicable and shall not utilize any materials that are banned by regulation or law in their vehicle or trailer body designs and manufacturing.
In the Travel Category (L), there are quite a few updated to SIN 561510 - Travel Agent Services. First, the following sections of the Travel Agent Services Statement of Work (SOW) will be edited:
Each specific update under the SOW can be found here.
Additionally, the Price Proposal Template (PPT) for the Travel Agent Services SIN will also be updated with the following items:
Although some of the Refresh #21 changes may not apply to you, ALL GSA contractors must accept the Mass Modification in the Mass Mod System. Once the Solicitation Refresh is released in December and the accompanying Mass Mod is sent out, contractors will have 90 days to accept it. We don’t know an exact date, but GSA anticipates by the end of the year (Dec 31st).
If you want to stay up to date on future GSA Solicitation Refreshes, check out our blog and our monthly newsletter. If you have questions about your GSA Schedule or accepting Mass Modifications, one of our consultants would be happy to help you.