If you’re interested in pursuing a government contract through the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program, you're probably already aware of the complexities involved in navigating the GSA Schedule acquisition process. Securing a GSA Schedule can present various challenges that may result in delays and missed opportunities.
As GSA Schedule consultants, we’ve seen it all when it comes to drafting a GSA Schedule proposal and we know how difficult it can be if not done correctly. The acquisition process can be lengthy, and while there isn’t a simple way to speed it up significantly, there are things you can keep in mind to keep the process running smoothly. In this blog, we are going to cover practical strategies to help get you through the GSA Schedule acquisition process. But before we delve into strategies to mitigate these delays, let's take a moment to understand the GSA Schedule acquisition process.
Understanding the GSA Schedule Acquisition Process
At its core, obtaining a GSA Schedule contract involves thorough planning and patience. Contractors are responsible for the completing their SAM registrations, fulfilling certain requirements, and crafting the proposal itself, which has to adhere to GSA guidelines laid out in the MAS Solicitation.
There are 3 main sections of the GSA Schedule proposal: Administrative, Technical, and Pricing. Each section addresses certain aspects of your company that you need to provide documentation for.
Strategies to Minimize Delays in the GSA Schedule Acquisition Process
As we’ve said before, you can’t control everything when it comes to the GSA Schedule proposal timeline especially when it’s submitted and in GSA’s hands, but there are certainly ways you can keep the drafting process smoother and more efficient. Let’s cover some reasons your Schedule proposal might be held up.
Organize All Documentation
If your proposal does not include all of the necessary documents that are mandated by the MAS Solicitation, there is a high probability that the person responsible for reviewing your proposal within GSA will contact you to request the missing information. Worst case scenario, the GSA Schedule proposal gets outright rejected and removed from the eOffer system completely. To avoid these, you’ll want to gather all required documents, organize them neatly, and ensure they're up to date and error-free.
Work out Any Trade Agreements Act (TAA) Compliance Issues Early On
Contractors may encounter challenges related to Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance when pursuing a GSA MAS contract. Failure to adhere to TAA regulations will lead to the rejection of your contract submission if the products originate from non-compliant countries. We cannot stress how important it is for contractors to ensure their products are eligible before starting the acquisition process, and they have a system in place to monitor any new products or manufacturer changes.
Take Time to Learn Government Contracting Jargon
Government contracting can feel like learning a new language, with its own set of endless acronyms and abbreviations. Familiarizing yourself with GSA terminology is crucial for effective communication and avoiding misunderstandings with Contracting Officers/Specialists that you’ll be working with.
Additionally, the MAS Solicitation provides comprehensive information about your GSA Schedule contract. It consists of several documents that outline the terms and conditions that apply to Schedule contracts, as well as instructions for preparing an offer and the evaluation criteria for offerors. Have members of your team carefully read through the solicitation and set up recurring meetings to discuss the unique terminology, so can ensure you are fully understanding all the requirements.
Choose the Right SINs
Upon your review of GSA’s Available Offerings Attachment, it’s important you’re selecting the right SINs for your products and services to attract the right buyers and minimize any confusion during GSA’s review process. To view a list and description of all the SINs in the MAS program, you can check out GSA eLibrary. If you're unsure whether a particular SIN is worth pursuing, you can track money spent by using the SSQ+ (Schedule Sales Query Plus) tool.
Stay On Track
Lack of organization and oversight of the endless GSA deliverables can lead to delays in task completion. Amidst busy workloads, assigned responsibilities may slip through the cracks, causing potential setbacks. In order to fully complete a GSA Schedule acquisition project on time, it's important to be dedicated, organized, and proactive. We suggest you set an internal timeline for completing each section of the proposal so you can stay on track and ensure you are using the most updated templates and uploading the most recent documents into eOffer.
Consider Hiring Expert Guidance
Sometimes, a little help goes a long way. If you are new to the process and lack the resources and bandwidth to dedicate several months to GSA Schedule acquisition and even post-award maintenance, you may want to hire a GSA consultant. GSA experts can lend you consulting advice and invaluable insights to help you avoid potential pitfalls.
Are You Prepared to Begin the GSA Schedule Acquisition Process?
Organizing yourself when preparing your documentation, familiarizing yourself with government contracting jargon, optimizing your SIN selections, and utilizing consulting assistance when needed, can help you minimize delays and streamline your path to securing a GSA Schedule contract.
If you want to learn more about the GSA Schedule proposal process, check out these blogs:
- The GSA Schedule Acquisition Process From Start to Finish
- How to Get Your GSA Schedule Proposal Across the Finish Line
- A Guide to Preparing Your GSA Schedule Proposal
If you have specific questions about the process, or need someone to help you navigate the ins and outs, we are here to help you succeed.
