If you are a current GSA contractor or potentially looking to sell products or services on the GSA Schedule, you’ll need to know how to find opportunities in your industry. Federal contracting requires research into potential costs, benefits, and initiatives like any other business decision. As a GSA Schedule Contractor, the North American Industry Classification System codes (NAICS) can help you better concisely comprehend what opportunities exist in your field for success in the federal marketplace, and can help your company determine if you are considered a small business.

A government contractor always needs to plan ahead for future opportunities, arguably more so than in the commercial marketplace due to the bureaucracy involved. Given the fact that agencies often start planning future opportunities well in advance of the anticipated award date, you may feel you are keeping well informed of relevant contracting opportunities.

We’re all aware that the federal government is one of the largest buyers in the U.S. Contractors looking to tap into the federal market through GSA Schedules are first going to need to conduct market research to see where they fit in, and will need to continue to research even after they are awarded a contract. But how can we track where all the massive spending is going? Which contracts are obtaining the most cash flows? How much money does each state spend in taxpayer dollars?

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, strategic collaboration has emerged as a driving force behind success. One particularly powerful avenue for collaboration is through Joint Ventures (also referred to as JVs). Joint Ventures bring together the collective strengths and resources of two or more companies to achieve mutual objectives. When it comes to securing a General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule, forming a Joint Venture could become a game-changing strategy. GSA has expanded guidance to Joint Ventures under MAS Refresh 16 which has a myriad of benefits to all sectors of industry and partnership types.

The GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program has long been regarded as one of the most popular government contract vehicles, allowing commercial companies to sell their products and services to federal, state, and local government entities. With pre-negotiated pricing and pre-vetted contractors, the MAS program streamlines the procurement process making it much more efficient to buy and sell products and services.

Right at the heels of Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation Refresh #16 which was released in late May, GSA has announced the release of Solicitation Refresh #17. By the end of July 2023, GSA plans to release Refresh #17 along with a Mass Modification. This Refresh will include changes to the overall solicitation as well as specific Large Category changes, so this applies to all GSA Schedule contractors no matter what product or service you offer. Here’s what you need to know about this update, so you are prepared for when it’s released.