Commercial enterprises that are interested in selling to the federal government have numerous different avenues available to reach this goal. However, many potential government contractors choose to sell their products and services through the GSA Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) Program.

Once you are awarded a GSA Schedule contract, you are granted access to many platforms and resources to assist in growing your company’s presence in the public sector.  As a GSA Schedule contractor, websites like SAM.gov, GSA Advantage!, GSA eLibrary, and more become important assets for success in the federal market. The issue is, contractors and government buyers aren’t the only ones that see these resources as valuable.

The United States government entered a partial shutdown on December 22, 2018. It is late January, and the shutdown is still in effect today, surpassing the 22-day record for longest government shutdown in U.S. history. This unusually long shutdown has caused many to wonder how it will affect them and/or their business – especially those who do business with the government.

The GSA Multiple Award Schedules Program is the premier contract vehicle for the government. A GSA Schedule Contract is a long-term government-wide contract between contractors and the government. While there are some great benefits to holding a GSA Contract, not everything is sunshine and rainbows! GSA Contracts take some work. Let’s analyze some of the pros and cons of getting on a GSA Schedule contract to better understand what you can expect as a contract holder.

Following the award of your GSA proposal, you’ll be required to fulfill several reporting requirements as well as ensure that your pricing stays up-to-date and in compliance with the Price Reduction Clause. Being a new GSA Schedule vendor, these new requirements may seem overwhelming at first, so that’s why it’s important to stay in front of the requirements by knowing when and how to handle them.

Having a GSA Schedule contract can provide a whole new world of business opportunities for your company. Billions of dollars go through GSA contracts each year, and there are millions of GSA contractors. The GSA Schedules program is a great way to break into government sales, but it can be a lengthy and confusing process if you’re not familiar with the requirements. Check out the steps to getting on a GSA Schedule below.