During the government’s Fiscal Year 2017, federal agencies purchased nearly $70 billion worth of professional services making it the second-largest category of Government Spend. The General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) Professional Services Schedule (PSS) currently holds 4,258 awarded federal contractors to provide government customers with professional services, and new contractors are being added continuously, but only after what has become an average 12-month review wait time for New Offers under the PSS Solicitation.

Applying for a GSA Schedule can be a great way to grow your business, but it is not an easy and quick task, as many companies already know. What’s surprising is that the “fun” part, in the full sense of the word, begins after your contract has been awarded. Many companies achieve successful sales and retain their contract with the Government for 20 years, while others don’t even last 2 years or less from the inception date.

As a GSA MAS Schedule Contract holder, it’s important to stay current with all solicitation refreshes and potential changes to your Schedule contract. Each Schedule undergoes updates via refreshes periodically, and often, GSA will release a Request for Information to compile feedback and pertinent data from those whom the changes directly affect.

If you are reading this, you have probably heard about GSA contracts. Maybe you have read about its numerous advantages and how, for commercially successful companies, getting on a GSA schedule substantially streamlines the federal contracting process. As with many important matters, the next question that likely arises is, "so how long will it take?"

It’s reporting season, so now is a good time to be conducting a self-audit of your invoicing practices and the repercussions for contractor visits. GSA has two types of visits: Annual Assessments and End of Term Assessments. Annual Assessments will occur every year for contractors that produce more than $150,000 in sales. End of Term Assessments will occur for all contractors approximately 12 months prior to their contract extension.

The General Services Administration (GSA) held its annual Industry Days for Schedules 56, 66, and 73 on February 21st and 22nd this year in Fort Worth, TX. Invitations are sent out in advance to current Schedule contract holders, and this event provides a forum for open discussion about managing a contract on these schedules, communication with buying agencies and networking with other contractors. Sometimes for contractors, it can feel like you’re working against GSA to maintain and manage your contract; but this event highlights the importance of the relationship GSA has with its contractors and their mutual desire for success and sales.