If you’re considering selling to the government, entering the government marketplace through the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) is a safe bet. Eligible companies who successfully become MAS contractors can benefit from streamlined acquisition processes and expanded access to government contracting opportunities.

In recent years, small businesses have seen increased opportunities in government acquisitions, particularly in the areas of cloud and software services. However, while overall participation has grown, the number of small businesses acting as prime contractors in the Federal IT marketplace has been diminishing. The Office of Management and Business (OMB) has responded by launching a plan to allocate over $100 billion in spending to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) in the coming years.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has recently made updates to the Multiple Awards Schedule (MAS) Solicitation. MAS Solicitation Refreshes #18 and #19 consist of several significant changes, such as adjustments to minimum sales requirement, updated language, and implementation of Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders.

If you have a GSA Schedule or have worked with the GSA in any capacity, you have undoubtedly heard the terms “NAICS Code” referenced before. But what exactly is a NAICS Code? And what is their relevance to GSA Schedules? NAICS is an acronym for North American Industry Classification System that was established in 1997 to create more connectivity with statistical agencies of Mexico and Canada. A NAICS code is a six-digit numeric code. The purpose in creating this specific classification system was simple: to create a universal North American standard and provide a platform by which Federal Statistics Agencies could better analyze and publicize the collection of statistical data related to the US economy.

Managing a GSA Schedule contract is not an easy task. There are many moving parts, which require organization, knowledge, and upkeep. Part of maintaining your GSA Schedule is making sure your contract is updated through various compliance requirements. In this blog we have outlined the top 10 most forgotten updates that contractors miss when managing their GSA Schedule contract.

As a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contractor, it can sometimes seem like a mystery how the “fair and reasonable” pricing determination can be reached. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) outlines parameters for how the federal government analyzes and makes these determinations, but the guidance does allow a certain amount of discretion.