Selling through GSA’s Security and Protection Large Category

The GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) is broken down into 12 Large Categories, each with their own specific offering of Special Item Numbers (SINs) that correspond with products and services. One category that can provide numerous opportunities is the Security and Protection Large Category. Did you know that you can sell canine training products and services, detection systems, night vision equipment, and criminal investigative equipment through GSA MAS? Under the Security and Protection Large Category, you can sell products and services that fill various government agencies and customers’ security and protection needs. Additionally, businesses who sell through this Large Category qualify for specific programs unique to their offerings within MAS, such as Cooperative Purchasing and the 1122 Program.

In this blog, we will cover the potential products and services that you can sell under the Security and Protection Large Category. We’ll also discuss the specific requirements and special opportunities available that make a GSA Schedule in this category a great option for your business to pursue.

What Products and Services Fall Under the Security and Protection Large Category?

Under each GSA MAS Large Category, there are subcategories and then individual Special Item Numbers (SINs). Each SIN corresponds with a unique security and protection product or service. Below is a list of the six (6) subcategories organized under the Security and Protection Large Category. The following list also outlines some, but not all the associated SINs to help you determine what you can sell through this Large Category. For an exhaustive list of all SINs included and their full descriptions, visit GSA eLibrary.

1. Subcategory 1: Marine and Harbor

• • Harbor/Waterfront Security Products and Services and Professional Marine Security Services (SIN 56121H)

2. Subcategory 2: Protective Equipment

Some key SINs include:

• • Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Rescue Tools, Equipment and Accessories (SIN 332216)

  • Law Enforcement Personal Equipment (SIN 332999)

  • Safes, Vault Systems, and Security Products (SIN 332999S)

  • Surveillance Systems, Wearable Body Cameras, and Vehicular Video (334220)

3. Subcategory 3: Security Animals and Related Services

• • Canine Training, Handling, and Caging Products and Services (SIN 812910)

4. Subcategory 4: Security Services

Some key SINs include:

• • Personal & Document Identification Systems (SIN 334118)

  • Professional Law Enforcement Services (SIN 541990L)

  • Security System Integration, Design, Management, and Life Cycle Support (SIN 541330L)

5. Subcategory 5: Security Systems

• • Security and Detection Systems (SIN 334290)

  • Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) (SIN 334290L)

  • Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) – FIPS 201 (SIN 334290PACS)

6. Subcategory 6: Testing Equipment

• • Criminal Investigative Equipment and Supplies (SIN 325412)

  • Evidence Collection and Investigative Equipment and Supplies (SIN 33999E)

As mentioned, visit GSA eLibrary or read through the Security and Protection Large Category Attachment for more information regarding each specific SIN. Like many other SINs, some of the SINs in this category have specific requirements, which we’ll explain in the next section.

Security and Protection SINs with Special Requirements

Here is a list of the SINs under the Security and Protection Large Category which include special requirements, instructions, or limitations, as outlined by the GSA MAS Solicitation:

• Other Aircraft Part and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (SIN 336413):

  • The award of fixed-wing aircraft is explicitly excluded under this SIN. Offerors cannot submit proposals for the sale, lease, or procurement of fully assembled fixed-wing aircraft.

• Security System Integration, Design, Management, and Life Cycle Support (SIN 541330SEC):

  • If you’re submitting services under the 541330SEC, your company must have at least one person in the organization certified and listed at IDManagement.gov as a “Certified System Engineer ICAM PACS” (“CSEIP”)

• Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) – FIPS 201 (334290PACS):

  • To offer products under the 334290PACS SIN, you must have all necessary products listed on the GSA “Approved Products List” (the “APL”) maintained in the IDManagement.gov website.

  • The products on the APL list are compliant FIPS 201 and HSPD-12 standards, which allows them to be sold under this SIN.

• Security and Detection Systems (334290):

  • You cannot offer vehicular alarms under this SIN.

• Personal & Document Identification Systems (SIN 34118):

  • You cannot offer public (private) key infrastructure (PKI) under this SIN.

Cooperative Purchasing and Security and Protection Offerings

One of the most important aspects of offerings under the Security and Protection Large Category is that almost all of the products and services are open to the Cooperative Purchasing program.

Cooperative Purchasing is a practice that allows eligible state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, plus public educational entities, to buy pre-vetted information technology (IT), law enforcement, and security-related products and services directly from federal contractors at any time using local funds. There are more guidelines on the eligible buyers for Cooperative Purchasing here.

As security-related products and services fall under the Security and Protection Large Category, almost all SINs are therefore subject to Cooperative Purchasing. Below are the only two SINs in the category that are excluded from the Cooperative Purchasing program:

1. Safes, Vault Systems, and Security Products (SIN 332999S)
2. Personal & Document Identification Systems (SIN 334118)

Having products and services that are subject to Cooperative Purchasing can open up increased opportunities for your business. Another specialized opportunity for security and protection offerings is the 1122 program.

The 1122 Program and Security and Protection Offerings

The Department of Defense (DoD or DoW) operates the 1122 program. Section 1122 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in 1994 established the authority for state and local governments to buy law enforcement equipment through federal channels, as long as the equipment is used for specific activities.

The 1122 Program is strictly limited to equipment, supplies, and vehicles used for specific missions like counter-drug, homeland security, and emergency response activities.

Many of the products that can be sold under this program also fall under the offerings in the Security and Protection Large Category. For instance, you can sell body armor, bomb detection equipment, canine handling equipment, surveillance systems, cameras, and night vision equipment under the 1122 program.

You do not need to opt into this program separately, but it’s good to keep an eye out for 1122 Program opportunities if it sounds like your company would benefit from it.

Is the Security and Protection Large Category Right for Your Business?

If you’ve read this blog post, perhaps you’ve decided that this Large Category is a good fit with your business’s offerings. As federal, state, and local entities have to adapt to new physical and digital security challenges, there can be increasing opportunities for critical defense, security, and protection solutions. The MAS Security and Protection Large Category covers lots of the innovative, crucial solutions that government buyers will be looking for to meet their needs.

As with all aspects of a GSA MAS contract, requirements and SIN offerings under each Large Category can change frequently. Therefore, it’s important to stay updated on the GSA MAS Solicitation and any refreshes to the Solicitation, including Refresh #33, which will be launching in the near future.

Our team at Winvale has helped many companies secure contracts under the Security and Protection Large Category. The federal marketplace is constantly evolving; if you need assistance navigating the requirements associated with your GSA MAS Security and Protection offerings, our consultants are happy to help.