Government contracting is fiercely competitive today. Often, what drives your chance of capturing a win includes having a competitively-priced, unique or timely offering, or being small-business certified. One important factor in any win is whether your company is the contract incumbent, having already done business with the agency. Traditionally, being the incumbent gives you a competitive edge though the market is changing.

New research on winners and losers

Grant Thornton’s (GT) 2016 Government Contractor Survey collected and analyzed data from companies who primarily do business with the federal government during Fiscal Year 2016.  For six years, this survey has shed light on how companies compete for contracts.

Topics: GSA Contracting Officer, Contracts, Pricing

This update will affect SINS 520-16 through 520-20.

The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is planning to release Refresh 28 of the 00CORP Professional Services Schedule (PSS) in Mid-November 2017. This update will implement a variety of changes to the scope of Special Item Numbers (SINs) 520-16, 520-17, and 520-20. It will also delete SINs 520-18 and 520-19 in order to redefine Data Breach Response and Identity Protection Services under PSS. These changes help to embrace the transition seen in data breach response and help create a proactive solution for identity protection.

Topics: GSA Schedule, Professional Services Schedule, PSS, Business to Government, B2G, GSA Maintanance, Contracts, streamline proposal, SINs, BIS, FAR, GSA, General Services Administration

Last month, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced that there are some major changes coming to several of their Schedule solicitations.

Topics: GSA Schedule, Business to Government, B2G, GSA Maintanance, Contracts, streamline proposal, DoD, False Claims Act, SCA, eBuy, federal Buyer, MasMod

GSA eBuy helps streamline the RFQ process for Federal Buyers. Read to see what that means for Government Contractors!

Once awarded a GSA Schedule, you’ll have access to a number of tools that will allow you to see specific agency needs. One of the most exclusive tools for GSA Schedule holders is GSA’s e-Business novelties website called eBuy. EBuy is an electronic Request for Quote (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP) system, designed to allow government buyers to request information, find sources, and prepare RFQs and RFPs for millions of services and products offered through GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). Government buyers can use eBuy to obtain quotes or proposals for services, large quantity purchases, big ticket items and purchases with complex requirements. Government contractors who do not have a GSA Schedule won’t have access to eBuy and are unable to see or respond to the opportunities posted there.

Topics: GSA Schedule, Business to Government, B2G, GSA Maintanance, Contracts, streamline proposal, DoD, False Claims Act, SCA, eBuy, federal Buyer

One of the trickiest areas of compliance for federal government contractors is following the regulations of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) of 1965, for services that are non-professional in nature. 

 FAR Subpart 22.10 was recently updated to call this regulation the Service Contract Labor Standards, however, in practice you will still hear it commonly referred to as the SCA . With this update contractors saw major changes to the wage determinations .The SCA of 1965 was amended to ensure that businesses who worked in the service industry observed minimum wage standards as well as safety and health standards, when doing business with the Federal Government, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands.

Topics: GSA Schedule, Business to Government, B2G, GSA Maintanance, Contracts, streamline proposal, DoD, False Claims Act, SCA, McNamara-O'Hara, McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act

Here's how the False Claims Act and Mandatory Disclosure works towards protecting the Federal Government. 

The False Claims Act was first enacted in 1863 by Congress, to prevent defrauding of the Federal Government. It is the government’s top tool in recovering false claims for government funds and property.

The False Claims Act is pertinent to any person who knowingly submits a false claim for payment, receives a false payment claim or conspires to conceal an obligated payment to the Government. A person can be found liable if they are knowledgeable about the false claim but also if they are acting recklessly or in ignorance of the truth. In the world of government contracting, it is important to know how this law applies to your contract and how you can ensure your compliance while also expanding your government sales opportunities.

Topics: GSA Schedule, Business to Government, B2G, GSA Maintanance, Contracts, streamline proposal, DoD, Mandatory Disclosure Rule, False Claims Act

How the GSA determines fair and reasonable pricing. 

When establishing a GSA schedule contract, it is important to note that the Federal Government intends to obtain equal or better pricing than the offeror’s Most Favored Customer (MFC). The reason being, is that the 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.

Topics: GSA Schedule, Business to Government, B2G, GSA Maintanance, Contracts, Service disabled veterans, streamline proposal, DoD, Schedule84, SIN list, Special Item Number, TAA, Trade Agreements Act, fair and reasonable

Maintain compliance by keeping up to date with TAA policies! 

The 2016 Presidential election was filled with a lot of “America first” rhetoric. Within the Trump Administration, that language is continued and there will very likely be an increased importance of American made products purchased through the GSA. With that in mind, reviewing the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and what it means for GSA spending is important for contractors and buyers alike. The Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. & 2501-2581) of 1979 was enacted to foster fair and open international trade, but more importantly, it implemented the requirement that the U.S. Government may acquire only U.S. – made or designated – end products.

Topics: GSA Schedule, Business to Government, B2G, GSA Maintanance, Contracts, Service disabled veterans, streamline proposal, DoD, Schedule84, SIN list, Special Item Number, TAA, Trade Agreements Act

As government contractors, it is imperative to handle protected health information and personal identifiable information because cyber threats are constantly increasing! 

Things just got a whole lot trickier for companies that handle Protected Health Information and Personal Identifiable Information (PII). Over the last 18 months, the Government has been cracking down and handing out stiff fines for those who breach government protocols, but a recent court decision solidified the severity of things.

Topics: GSA Schedule, Business to Government, B2G, GSA Maintanance, Contracts, Service disabled veterans, streamline proposal, DoD, Schedule84, SIN list, Special Item Number

The GSA is announcing a consolidation for Schedule 84!

 

During the month of May, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced that a Special Item Number (SIN) consolidation for Schedule 84 would be considered. The GSA would like to implement the changes to the SINs in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. Are you wondering what this means for the future of Schedule 84 holders? Here are 4 important questions to consider:

Topics: GSA Schedule, Business to Government, B2G, GSA Maintanance, Contracts, Service disabled veterans, streamline proposal, DoD, Schedule84, SIN list, Special Item Number