With all the changes going on in the federal government, it’s fitting there’s another GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation Refresh coming out soon. Solicitation Refresh #26 is expected to be released in April, and it includes a significant action to retire 32 Special Item Numbers (SINs). Read on to learn about Refresh #26 so you’re prepared for the accompanying Mass Modification when it’s released.

If you’re getting ready to put together your GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) application for the first time, you may be feeling a bit nervous. Many prospective contractors feel this way as the proposal process is daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with GSA. In this blog, we’ll go over some expert tips to help you get on the GSA Schedule.

The GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) allows contractors to sell their products or services to the federal government through specific Special Item Numbers (SINs) that align with their commercial business practices. If your business offers Information Technology (IT) software, products, or professional services, there are multiple SINs that could be applicable to your GSA MAS offer within the IT Category. However, most IT SINs require offerors to follow instructions, prepare supporting documents, and draft technical narratives beyond the standard requirements. For example, to have the Highly Adaptive Cybersecurity Services (HACS) SIN awarded, offerors must submit two supporting technical narratives demonstrating past performance, pass an oral technical evaluation, adhere to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards, and more.

You probably clicked on this article because you’re worried about the future of your GSA Schedule contract, or maybe you’re looking to get a contract soon but aren’t sure if you should. We know the last month or so has been full of changes within the federal government, and you may have heard about contract terminations and federal workforce cuts. These things can’t be completely avoided, but what we need to focus on is the fact that the government is still and will always be buying. Priorities and spending habits will change, but the government can’t source the pens to sign those Executive Orders (EOs) from just anywhere. There are rules and regulations in place before agencies can acquire essential goods and services.

Picture this scenario: you have applied for a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract and submitted all the required documents, a process that may have taken months. You’ve waited anxiously for GSA to review your proposal. Now, a Contracting Specialist (CS) has emailed you requesting you make major changes to your contract proposal to be considered compliant, and the only way to still be considered for Schedule award is to do this. These types of roadblocks are not always avoidable, but there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of this happening, and methods to best prepare a response when it does.

While the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) acquisition process can be a long and drawn out process, the work doesn’t end once your Schedule has been awarded. GSA Schedules have a potential life span of 20 years (four 5-year option periods), so it’s rare that a contractor’s GSA Schedule offerings, Special Item Number (SIN) selections, administrative information, etc. remains the same throughout the life of the contract. GSA Schedule contract holders can update or change essentially every part of their contract throughout its existence through a modification. In this blog, we will discuss the types of modifications, and why they are an integral part of GSA Schedule compliance.