The rapid evolution of information technology has shaped virtually everything in today’s world, including how the federal government functions. For years, the government has lagged behind industry advancements for various reasons. As the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) puts it:

A change in the presidential administration can bring shifts in federal priorities, policies, and budgets—all of which can impact federal government contractors. If you are keeping up with the news, you have seen articles cropping up every day about a new Executive Order (EO) and a change in spending or initiatives. Although it can seem overwhelming right now, this isn’t necessarily new. Every time an administration switches over, there will inevitably be a lot of updates as they work to modify the landscape to fit their vision. The question is: what are you doing to adapt to these changes and maximize your success as a contractor in this new administration?

As a modern business, you are probably aware of the importance of web presence. You likely wouldn’t allow your own website to have outdated information, omit key information, or lack photos. However, sometimes product contractors under the GSA Schedule are not as well versed in how to ensure that their web presence in GSA meets the same standards. GSA has several procurement platforms to help contractors list their solutions and bid on contracting opportunities, but the most important site for selling products is GSA Advantage!.

The Trump Administration has produced a flurry of Executive Orders (EOs) since the inauguration just over 2 weeks ago. If you do business with the federal government, you may be wondering how some of these executive actions will impact your contract. You’re certainly not alone.

Federal contractors are likely familiar with the numerous rules and policies they must follow to receive a contract award and throughout a contract’s period of performance. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) regulates the rules for agencies’ procurement of products and services and is managed by the Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In November of 2022, these agencies, or the “FAR Council,” proposed an amendment to the FAR requiring mandatory climate disclosures for federal contractors, such as reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions publicly. However, this proposal was recently withdrawn mid-January.

Crafting a proposal for the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) involves drafting and collecting numerous documents. Many of the items needed for a successful proposal can be easily found in a company’s records, but others are less familiar. One document that can be a stumbling point for many new contractors is a small business subcontracting plan. All large (Other than Small) businesses are required to draft a subcontracting plan, but for offerors who have never created a subcontracting plan, this document can seem daunting. In this blog, we’ll go over tips and tricks for drafting a subcontracting plan.