At this point, you’ve likely seen hundreds of articles published in this series and on our website about GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), the MAS consolidation, the structure, how it works, and on and on. But, what about the VA Federal Supply Schedule Service (FSS) Program? Most of the questions our consulting team sees come through our online chat or via email are about the GSA MAS program but today, we’ll be shining some light on the MAS program’s not-so-little sibling, the VA FSS Program managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts provide businesses with the opportunity to sell their products and services to the federal government, but many potential contractors are unaware of the tools available to shape a competitive offer.

While searching for a contracting opportunity on SAM.gov, you may have glossed over entries that are marked as Sources Sought Notices (SSNs). Maybe it's because it's not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and overall may seem like it's not worth your time because it doesn't directly end in contract award, but we suggest you take a closer look. Sources Sought Notices play a key role in federal procurement and can increase your odds of winning the opportunity.

If you are considering joining the world of government contracting, there’s a lot of information to consume. Where do you even start? At Winvale, we talk a lot about the General Services Administration (GSA) and the MAS program because it's one of the most widely used programs among federal buyers, but government contracting is a massive industry overall. In this blog, we'll cover some of the government contracting basics so you can feel confident in figuring out your first step into the public sector.

If you’re a veteran-owned small business selling to the government or are looking to become one, there have been a few updates recently you should be aware of. One of these updates is a final rule eliminating self-certification for all Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). Self-certification has already been removed for SDVOSBs who want to go after prime SDVOSB set-asides, but now the option is being eliminated on all fronts.

Once they have their GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), a lot of our clients ask us how to start gaining government customers. Whether it’s through GSA eBuy, GSA Advantage!, or SAM.gov, new contractors are understandably eager to make sales through their contract. Some opportunities will be single orders if you sell through Advantage, and others will be short-lived contracts, but Best-In-Class (BIC) vehicles are also another opportunity to keep on your radar. These contracts offer pre-vetted and negotiated solutions to a variety of agencies, and there are a few offering new opportunities in the coming months. In this blog, we’ll talk about some of the most popular BICs and their status for contractors looking to join.