If your company has been a part of the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program for 15+ years, you've already demonstrated your ability to navigate the Schedule acquisition process and secure three contract extensions, bringing your contract to the full 20-year life cycle. However, as your successful contract approaches its end, you may wonder how to continue benefiting from this multi-billion dollar contracting vehicle. That's where the streamlined acquisition process comes into play. In this blog, we will discuss the streamlined acquisition process within the GSA MAS program and why you should start preparing earlier now more than ever.
The Streamlined Acquisition Process
Streamlined acquisition is the process you go through when your current GSA Schedule period of performance is ending, and you want to submit an offer for a new contract. This is not to be confused with your GSA Schedule option extension, which is reserved for contractors still within the 20 years of their contract (we'll talk more about this below). Since you already have a GSA Schedule, streamlined acquisition is a revised and simplified process.
If your business has remained compliant and met the minimum sales criteria in each option period, you are well-positioned to successfully receive a new Schedule through a streamlined offer. Although there is less documentation included in the streamlined process, certain essential documents are still required to facilitate the smooth transition into your new MAS contract.
These documents include:
- Price Proposal Template (PPT)
- Agent Authorization Letter(s)
- Request to Hold Continuous Contracts
- Commercial Price List
- Quality Control Plan
- Ensuring that your SAM.gov registration is active
- Compliance with FAR & DFARS regulations.
Streamlined Acquisition Process vs. Option Extension
When considering the GSA streamlined acquisition process versus option extension, it's crucial to understand the key distinctions between these two pathways. In streamlined contract acquisition, you're looking at a brand-new contract number, initiated by the contractor via eOffer. This option provides you with a fresh 20-year Period of Performance, offering an extended lifespan for your contracting vehicle.
On the other hand, the option extension maintains the same contract number and is initiated by GSA through a modification in eMod. With this approach, you're adding a new 5-year option term within the existing 20-year contract term, ensuring continuity while keeping your original contract intact.
Preparing a Streamlined Offer
Preparing a streamlined offer shares many similarities with preparing an original offer, but there are some key differences. The Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) solicitation is a great resource to guide you through this process. These instructions clearly outline the requirements that are waived under streamlined acquisition procedures.
A crucial point to note is that during a streamlined acquisition, you cannot add any new Special Item Numbers (SINs). This means that your new Schedule will closely resemble your current one, making it an ideal choice if you wish to continue offering the same products or services. You can however, propose other changes to your contract. GSA may not accept them, but it's allowed aside from adding SINs.
To determine if you qualify as a "successful MAS contractor," you need to meet certain criteria:
- The contractor has an active Federal Supply Services (FSS) program contract and is submitting a new offer for the same SINs.
- Minimum Sales Requirements: You must have met the minimum sales requirements stipulated in your existing contract. Please note the requirement has changed in the last year.
- Satisfactory Past Performance: You should have a demonstrated pattern of satisfactory past performance under your existing contract.
What's Not Required/Reduced in a Streamlined Offer
To streamline the offer process and reduce the burden on contractors while ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), several requirements have been either eliminated or significantly reduced. Here are the key changes:
- Readiness Assessment: This requirement has been eliminated.
- Pathways to Success: No longer required.
- Financial Statements: No longer required.
- Corporate Experience: Reduced or eliminated, depending on the situation.
- Open Ratings Report: This is no longer needed as part of the streamlined acquisition.
- Relevant Project Experience: The requirement for providing relevant project experience has been significantly reduced.
By reducing or eliminating these requirements, GSA aims to make the streamlined acquisition process more accessible for historically successful MAS contractors. This allows you to focus on preparing your offer efficiently and with less administrative overhead.
When to Start Your GSA Schedule Streamlined Offer
While the streamlined offer process is generally less demanding than the initial GSA offer, it still requires a certain amount of time and effort. Since the Trump Administration has released an Executive Order expanding procurement in GSA, there's going to be a lot of change. This includes re-adjusting the workforce, and re-allocating resources, which will cause some delays as GSA works out the kinks.
With that being said, GSA now recommends you start your streamlined acquisition process at least 24 to 36 months out from your contract expiration. This way if you run into any roadblocks or delays, you can ensure there won't be gaps in your contracts. Ideally, your streamlined offer will be reviewed by the same Contracting Officer (CO) you have for your current contract, but with all the changes recently, that may not be true and could add some time to the process.
Are You Ready for the Streamlined Offer Process?
The streamlined acquisition process offered by the GSA MAS program provides a simplified path for successful MAS contractors to secure a new Schedule that closely aligns with their existing one.
For further insights and guidance on the GSA MAS program and various government contracting topics, consider subscribing to our blog and newsletter. If you have any questions or require assistance with government contracting, don't hesitate to reach out to the Winvale team today. We're here to support your journey in the realm of government contracting.
