Government Contracting Blog

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.

In the world of government contracting, one of the most confusing elements to navigate is the incessant use of acronyms. From government agencies to GSA Schedule terms, it seems as if there's an acronym for everything--and they aren't always spelled out. As a current or prospective GSA contractor, it's important you begin to learn government jargon because these terms will come up when you submit your GSA Schedule proposal, during GSA Schedule maintenance, and when you are communicating with government buyers.

You might have run across the terms “IDIQ” or “Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity” when researching options to sell your solutions to the government through the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program. It might just seem like another government contracting acronym to you, but it’s a crucial term to remember. So what are IDIQs? Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts were created to help streamline the procurement process and speed-up delivery. All GSA Schedule contracts are IDIQ, so if you are a prospective or current GSA contractor, you should understand how they work.

Government agencies often have a need to buy recurring goods and services, like office supplies, tools and equipment, and electronic parts. Government agencies know what they will need, but maybe not the exact quantity or exact timing of when they will need it. That is when a Blanket Purchase Agreement, or BPA, comes in.

When establishing a GSA Schedule contract, it is important to note the federal government intends to obtain equal or better pricing than the offeror’s Most Favored Customer (MFC). The reason is GSA has determined the prices under the GSA Schedule to be "Fair and Reasonable." During GSA contract negotiations, if the proposed prices are not deemed “Fair and Reasonable,” the offer can be either denied or negotiated further to meet the standards of the GSA. So, who determines "Fair and Reasonable" pricing? Let’s discuss the highlights so that your offer can be successful during the contract review process.

NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes are a very important part of government contracting. We've covered what a NAICS code is, how to use codes to determine if your organization qualifies as a small business, top spending trends and much more. Now that you know about NAICS codes, start using them now to find opportunities!