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.

Just like the commercial world, it’s important to periodically research what the current federal marketplace looks like and where it may be headed. Tracking federal government spending allows you know which agencies are spending the most money and what they are most interested buying. As we move through the 3rd quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, the government is gearing up for the Q4 spending spree, so it's important to take note of agencies' procurement habits and how your business can prepare.

The road to becoming a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contractor is a lengthy and often arduous process, but once awarded, your business will be in position to sell to the federal government for up to 20 years. As we all know, a lot can happen in 20 years, and while contracts have the reputation of being binding, your GSA Schedule is supposed to grow and adapt with your company.

GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts have many compliance requirements to ensure that contractors provide products and services that align with federal procurement regulations. One aspect of compliance that many contractors are hesitant about is the Trade Agreements Act (TAA). Under TAA, contractors must agree each "final product" they sell will have been “substantially transformed” in the U.S. or another approved country. GSA contractors often have a lot of questions about “substantial transformation” and what this means. In this blog, we’ll explain the TAA, what “substantial transformation” means, and how Advisory Ruling requests can help you navigate this requirement and remain in compliance.

Once you’ve been awarded your GSA Schedule, you have a living document in your hands that can last up to 20 years and that any federal agency can purchase from. It's an exciting prospect, but as you are aware, 20 years is a lifetime in the business world. Think back to what was being sold two decades ago. Can you imagine being stuck with a catalog full of floppy disks? To avoid scenarios like this, GSA has established processes to modify your GSA Schedule after it has been awarded.

Do you have an interest in doing business with the government but you’re not quite sure where to start? We understand there is so much information to take in as you surround yourself with all the government contracting acronyms, abbreviations, and jargon associated with federal contracting.