As you may be aware, government agencies cannot make decisions on a whim. There are several rules, regulations, precedents, and processes that are put in place, so each decision is made carefully and methodically. This is especially true for federal procurement. Whenever a government agency has the need for a particular product or service, they often conduct market research to make sure they are surveying all the possibilities and finding the one that works the best for them. This doesn’t always mean the cheapest or the fastest, but these can be factors in determining what the best value is.

The short answer is no, companies are able to win federal contracts without a GSA Schedule, but you could be limiting your company from capitalizing on prime government business. This is because federal government agencies often look to the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program and other Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) first to purchase goods and services. However, sometimes a GSA Schedule isn’t the right fit for your company, or you may need some time to reevaluate your options. In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of holding a GSA Schedule contract and compare it to other government contracting options so you can make the best decision for your company.

The start of 2022 marks Biden’s second year of being president and our third full year of the pandemic. How has a new presidential administration and the global pandemic impacted government procurement? Just like it’s important to follow what kinds of products your consumers are buying and how much they are spending in the commercial world, it’s important for contractors stay on top of government initiatives and follow how the federal government plans to allocate their funding in 2022. Here are 5 government contracting trends we expect to see in 2022.

If you’ve made the decision to pursue a GSA Schedule contract, one of the first choices you will need to make is whether to go it alone or hire a GSA consultant to help. At first, your instinct might be to save money and handle it internally because you may have a sales or marketing team that deals with your commercial sales. If your company has an individual in mind with government experience and plans to dedicate a significant portion of their time to your GSA Schedule, your instinct may be right. However, it's important to remember that the government marketplace is a whole new ballgame. With regulations, a minimum sales quota, and a myriad of other rules and processes, it can be difficult to navigate.

Just like last year, 2021 was yet another unpredictable year. However, one thing remained certain through this tumultuous time—increased federal government spending. As the global pandemic continues, the federal government continues to channel more funding and research toward mitigating COVID-19. However, COVID-19 isn’t the only factor influencing federal government spending. 2021 brought a whole new administration when Biden became president, and a new administration means budgets can fluctuate and government agencies can alter their spending habits.

Although the large corporations tend to take over the headlines for capturing government contracting opportunities, small businesses have plenty of opportunities to go after in the federal marketplace. Even if you see a Request for Quote (RFQ) that your company may not be able to handle on its own, you shouldn’t necessarily discredit it right away. There are several ways in which small businesses can partner with large or other small businesses to expand their offerings and increase their competitiveness. As a GSA Schedule contractor, there are 4 main ways you can team up with another business. They are: subcontracting, Joint Ventures, partnering with a reseller, and Contractor Team Arrangements (CTA). Let’s dive into each partnership and find out which one could work best for you.