In a recent blog, we discussed the many changes introduced by the Trump Administration and what their effect was on current GSA Schedule contractors. If you don’t have a GSA Schedule yet, but are looking to get one, you may be wondering how these changes have impacted the process of acquiring a GSA Schedule contract. That’s why in this blog, we’ll discuss the impact that the new administration’s policies have on potential GSA Schedule contractors.
GSA Scope Changes
One of the Trump Administrations primary goals has been to streamline federal contracting. This has brought many changes to GSA, including the retiring of several Special Item Numbers (SINs). In April 2025, 32 SINs were retired in an effort to reduce administrative costs. In addition to SINs being retired, general categories of items have also been declared out of scope due to Executive Orders passed by the Trump Administration.
These items include any products or services related to gender ideology, diversity, equity, and inclusion, or paper straws. The ongoing effort to streamline the GSA, as well as the numerous Executive Orders being passed, indicates that there may be more SINs retired and more items deemed out of scope in the future. As a prospective contractor, it’s important for you to keep up with these changes, as they can have major impacts on your offer, or even your decision to apply for a GSA contract.
With so many changes being made to the GSA scope, it’s a good idea to propose under multiple SINs if your offerings are within scope. If you only have one SIN on your contract, and that SIN is retired, your entire contract could be subject to cancellation. You can propose identical products and services across different SINs, so finding all potential SINs that fit your offerings is a smart way to avoid being caught off-guard by a SIN being retired.
Expansion of GSA
As part of the continued effort to streamline contracting across the federal government, President Trump signed an Executive Order which will dramatically expand GSA by consolidating other contracting vehicles under GSA. While GSA is expected to quadruple in size, this still represents a streamlining act, as the GSA is becoming a centralized hub for federal contracting. What this means for prospective contractors is that there’s never been a better time to become a GSA Schedule contractor, as there are more opportunities than ever available under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program.
While centralizing procurement under GSA will theoretically reduce administrative burden on Contracting Officers and other procurement officers, we’re not quite there yet. As streamlining efforts have resulted in constant staffing changes, many GSA offices are severely understaffed, leading to an increased administrative burden. For prospective contractors, this means longer-than-usual wait times, especially in less-prioritized offices.
This is why it’s a good idea to start putting your proposal together sooner rather than later. It’s also important for prospective contractors to ensure that their GSA Schedule proposals are complete and compliant with solicitation requirements. A well-put-together proposal can help speed up the review and award timeline, as there will be less issues for the contracting officer to worry about. You may want to consider reaching out to a GSA Schedule consultant to help you ensure that your proposal is the best that it can be.
America First Trade Policy
One of the most talked-about policy changes from the Trump Administration has been tariffs on foreign goods. However, tariffs are only one part of the administrations larger America First Trade Policy, a policy memorandum which outlines numerous actions to be taken in the interest of protecting American workers and revitalizing the American economy.
The policy is based on an Executive Order from President Trump’s first term, which (among other actions) required federal agencies to enforce the Buy American Act (BAA) more strictly. The BAA requires that federal agencies must prioritize purchasing products manufactured in the United States whenever possible. Agencies can obtain waivers to purchase non-domestically manufactured goods if the product they are purchasing is either unavailable or unreasonably expensive to source from an American manufacturer. With the implementation of the America First Trade Policy, we can expect to see fewer waivers being granted, forcing more agencies to purchase American-made goods.
The America First Trade Policy will have a variety of impacts on potential contractors based on what they offer. For contractors who resell products, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to the Country of Origin (COO) information. All contractors who sell products are required to submit COO information for each product they propose to GSA, and this information must be accurate. Misrepresentation of a product’s country of origin can have serious repercussions, especially if a product is wrongly designated as being made in America.
The America First Trade Policy will lead to increased demand for American-manufactured products, meaning more opportunities for American manufacturers. If you’re a products manufacturer in America who has been considering getting a GSA Schedule, now is the time to submit your proposal and get your contract. In addition to increased demand for American products due to the BAA, it’s also likely that prices for foreign-made items will begin to rise with the implementation of tariffs, making American products even more desirable.
Want to Know More About How Policy Changes Impact Prospective GSA Contractors?
This blog contained an overview of some of the most major changes enacted by the Trump administration and their effect on prospective GSA contractors. If you want to know more about how these policies affect those looking to get a GSA Schedule contract, or if you’re wondering if the GSA MAS Program is right for you, reach out to us. One of our experienced consultants will be happy to help you find the answers you need.
