Government Contracting Blog

A GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract offers commercial companies a whole new pool of prospective customers. Obtaining a GSA Schedule can be a bit of a process, but those who are able to get a contract are awarded with ample business opportunities. If you are looking into getting a GSA Schedule, you probably have a lot of questions. You may not even know exactly what a GSA Schedule is, but that's OK, you have to start somewhere. As consultants well versed in government contracting, we know that the process can be confusing and there’s a huge learning curve with all the government acronyms and lingo. So, we gathered a list of key questions to help you navigate the process of getting a GSA Schedule contract.

If you are close to the end of your GSA Schedule contract’s option period or the end of your 20-year contract period, you may have heard the terms “streamlined acquisition” or “option extension.” But which action do you need to take?

The 4th quarter always seems to be the most important--whether it’s in a football game where a quarterback is running a 2-minute drill while down one score, a basketball team is rallying back from a deficit and banking on a buzzer beater to take home the win, or even discussing government spending toward the end of the fiscal year when government agencies are rushing to use up their annual budget. One statistic that stands out to rookies and seasoned contracting veterans alike is that nearly one-third (yes, 1/3!) of federal contract dollars are awarded during Q4 of the government’s fiscal year. With agencies spending the remainder of their annual budget, and a rising need to procure a larger volume of products and services, the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program becomes a key vehicle for both buyers and sellers.

One of the most essential parts of maintaining your GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract is ensuring your pricing is up to date. GSA contracts can last for up to 20 years, so it’s likely that your commercial rates will increase during the life of your contract. As a GSA contractor, you have the ability and the right to increase your GSA rates alongside your commercial rates. However, the process of requesting a price increase can be complicated, as GSA has restrictions on when you can raise your rates and how much of an increase you can request.

Just like with commercial transactions, pricing is an important part of your GSA Schedule contract. Government agencies often prefer to purchase from GSA Schedules because they know they are getting their products and services at the best value and prices. This means that GSA contractors have to follow specific pricing rules and requirements, like reporting your Commercial Sales Practices.

Your company is ready to expand to another marketplace and sell to the government, and you’ve come across the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program. Is it the right option for your company? While GSA Schedules can be your ticket in the government marketplace and can help your company significantly grow its customer base, we realize they aren’t for everyone. There are certain requirements you need to meet to become a GSA contractor, and there are regulations you need to follow throughout the life of your contract.