When you go through the GSA Schedule acquisition process, you are evaluated on many levels. From administrative and financial records, to past performance and your pricing, GSA takes a close look at your company. This is because GSA wants to ensure you are going to be a reliable contractor and can supply the products and services you intend to offer. However, once you have made it successfully through the acquisition process and are awarded your GSA Schedule contract, the evaluations don’t necessarily evaporate.

If you are a GSA Schedule contract holder, you are likely familiar with the OLM SIN. OLM, which stands for Order Level Materials, is an additional GSA Special Item Number (SIN) that most current contractors likely added during a modification. Similarly, some GSA contractors may be familiar with the acronym ODC, or Other Direct Costs. But what exactly are OLMs and ODCs, and how do they fit into the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program?

With a GSA Schedule, you can easily access a vast network of federal, state, and local agencies looking to buy products and services. However, great opportunity doesn't come without competition. While you are part of a unique pool of contractors, you still have to compete with other companies for business, and be proactive about advertising your solutions to government agencies.

Government contracts present a world of opportunities for businesses seeking stability, growth, and profitability. They can be highly profitable for businesses, offering stable contracts and a steady revenue stream. However, the process of qualifying for these opportunities can be complex and demanding. Even if you already have a government contract like a GSA Schedule, you’ll come across several contracting opportunities that you’ll need to bid on to win business through your Schedule.

We live in a world where it may be as simple as picking up the phone and asking a prospective client if they’d like to purchase what you have to offer. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like this when selling to the federal government. You need to abide by certain rules and regulations, and go through a formal process to sell your products and services. So, how do commercial companies sell to the government?

When government agencies purchase goods and services, they often have to go through a series of hoops to make sure they are abiding by the proper rules and regulations. But what if they have a need to purchase recurring solutions such as electrician services, office supplies, or repair parts? By establishing Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), government agencies and contractors can set up more efficient contracts that allows them to repeatedly purchase a particular good and service.