If you’re new to the world of federal contracting, chances are you have come across several foreign terms like GSA Multiple Award Schedule, and the definitions are not always self explanatory. The government has its own jargon we call "government speak" and it can be a little daunting at first to learn the terms and acronyms associated with selling to the government, but as consultants, it’s our job to help our clients understand. Federal contracts like the GSA Multiple Award Schedule provide plentiful opportunities for businesses and organizations to expand their public sector sales presence, but in order to reap the benefits of selling in the government landscape, it’s important for companies to understand the basics of government contracting first. In this article, we'll break down the GSA Multiple Award Schedule, highlight the benefits, and tell you how you can get on the GSA Schedule.

Are you in the process of putting together an offer for a GSA Schedule or bidding on a government solicitation and want to ensure your company is meeting all the compliance criteria? Well, Section 508 may apply to you. If you plan on supplying Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services to the federal government, you’ll need to outline your company’s ability to comply with the revised Section 508 standards. Here’s what you need to know about this legislation and how it fits into the federal government.

As a GSA contractor, odds are that you have come across subcontracting requirements and processes. GSA’s subcontracting requirements were created to help government agencies meet their small business spending budgets each fiscal year, whether directly or indirectly. Within the scope of subcontracting, there are many intricacies, but we have put together a blog to cover the basics of GSA subcontracting.

Getting awarded a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Schedule contract is only the first step toward getting a piece of the $45 billion of government spending. The next step is to position yourself for success in the competitive environment. GSA contractors must meet a minimum sales requirement of $25,000 in sales in the first 2 years and $25,000 every year thereafter, so it’s important you understand how to generate sales in the market. Effective interaction with potential GSA customers is a necessary component of becoming a successful contract holder. This blog outlines some tips and tricks you can use for engaging with government buyers.

Acquiring and managing a GSA Schedule contract is full of decisions--first you have to decide if it's right for your company, then how you are going to handle submitting the GSA Schedule offer, and lastly, how you will effectively manage your contract once it's awarded. These decisions may have also prompted you to ask yourself if you need to hire a GSA consultant to help you throughout the entire process, because it's lengthy and can be overwhelming. 

Congratulations on your GSA Schedule award—now that you have your contract, you’re ready to begin the process of maintaining compliance. This is essentially the “scope of contract,” which may seem vague to you at first. We advise all new contractors to begin familiarizing themselves with the rules and regulations of holding a GSA contract. As consultants, we can’t stress enough how important it is to look after your Schedule once it’s been awarded. To help you prepare for this process, let’s discuss why scope of contract is important and what you can do to maintain GSA Schedule compliance.