Government Contracting Blog

GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts have many compliance requirements to ensure that contractors provide products and services that align with federal procurement regulations. One aspect of compliance that many contractors are hesitant about is the Trade Agreements Act (TAA). Under TAA, contractors must agree each "final product" they sell will have been “substantially transformed” in the U.S. or another approved country. GSA contractors often have a lot of questions about “substantial transformation” and what this means. In this blog, we’ll explain the TAA, what “substantial transformation” means, and how Advisory Ruling requests can help you navigate this requirement and remain in compliance.

When you enter the world of government contracting, you'll quickly notice it's filled with government jargon. From acronyms to abbreviations, you may feel like you need a whole new dictionary to make sense of it. Don't worry, you're not expected to know the correct definition for every government abbreviation to be considered a successful GSA contractor, but you should familiarize yourself with the basic terms that are used quite often. In this blog, we'll highlight 10 acronyms that are used frequently and are important for you to know. 

If you have dealt with the federal government before whether it’s for taxes, going to the DMV, or applying for a grant, you know that you have to abide by a set of rules and follow a specific procedure. The same goes for federal contracting. Contractors and government agencies follow the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) when they want to sell or buy through government contracts. The FAR is essentially the “rulebook” for federal procurement. While there are several important clauses in the FAR, we’ll highlight 4 clauses you should pay special attention to as a current or prospective GSA contractor.

Another contract vehicle is on the horizon for government contractors—GSA is creating a new services Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) to replace OASIS. Named Services Multi-Agency Contract (MAC) this contract vehicle will support GSA’s Federal Acquisition (FAS) Office of Professional Services and Human Capital Categories (PSHC). Here’s what we know about the contract vehicle so far, including the reasoning behind its creation, its scope, and anticipated release dates.

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.