You may have been looking up at the sky recently to catch a glimpse of the rare "comet of the century", but this won't be the only comet returning this year—GSA has plans in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 for COMET II, a multiple award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for IT modernization, transformation, and operations/maintenance. The current COMET vehicle, which stands for CIO Modernization and Enterprise Transformation, has awarded task orders totaling almost $1 billion, making it a great success for GSA and all contractors involved, especially when it comes to updating GSA’s legacy systems.

Cybersecurity is a constant priority in the IT government contracting space, with the government continually working to enhance cybersecurity practices as technology evolves. IT government contractors should be aware of both current and future cybersecurity regulations, so they can stay compliant now and in the future.

The General Service Administration’s (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) is a contracting vehicle that connects a wide array of commercial goods and services with the federal government. Many businesses pursue the MAS program to expand their sales into the federal marketplace. These contracts are designed to service multiple buyers across the federal government and last up to two decades. Accordingly, GSA sets rigorous standards for businesses applying for a Schedule.

We think of the General Services Administration (GSA) as a federal agency that assists in acquisition and real estate, but did you know GSA also plays a large role in the presidential transition? In the ten weeks from election to inauguration, the president-elect will prepare to take over the executive branch including over 140 agencies, sub-agencies, and millions of personnel.

Companies interested in pursuing a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract should review and understand the many requirements needed to submit an offer. The proposal process can be broken down into three main sections: administrative, technical, and pricing. Within the administrative section, GSA assesses a company’s organizational structure, compliancy with SAM.gov registration, and financial statements, among other attributes. While the administrative section may seem like an easier section to complete, prospective offerors should not take this section lightly, as companies’ proposals can be rejected for insufficient or negative financial information.

The GSA Schedule acquisition process can be difficult and lengthy - you have prepared and submitted your Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) offer, gone through negotiations and clarifications, and finally received your award. Now that you have a GSA Schedule, your top priority is to generate sales by marketing your products and services and finding government customers. However, you must also be sure to maintain your contract’s terms and conditions.