The government contracting world can be challenging—there are lots of rules and regulations to keep track of, billions of dollars being spent through various procurement methods, and tough competition among established contractors. We often hear the question “how do we make a name of ourselves amongst all of this?” from many new businesses who are wanting to break into the federal market.

Although contracts can have a reputation of being binding, your GSA Schedule contract is meant to grow and change with your company. Anytime you need to change your address or primary Point of Contact, add or delete a product, alter a product description, or upload new photos, you are able to make these changes through a modification (mod). Each modification type requires a series of documents and/or requirements, and it can be difficult to figure out what needs to be done in order to successfully complete a mod. Thankfully, the General Services Administration (GSA) has created a guide to keep contractors up to date on all the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) modification standards.

If you’ve done any research into GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts, you’ll see one key phrase used a lot: “Contract compliance.” But what does it mean? Contracts in any sphere can be complicated, and government contracts are especially difficult, as government buyers and sellers have to abide by procurement regulations established in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Any business that holds a GSA contract or is looking to acquire one needs to be aware of the terms and conditions that are applicable to their company. Failing to be compliant with those terms and conditions can have serious consequences for your GSA contract.

The new Vendor Support Center is here—as part of their initiative to make outdated sites easier to navigate, GSA has recently modernized the Vendor Support Center (VSC). While the Vendor Support Center has always been an important resource for GSA contractors, the update to the site allows contractors to find educational information in a more structured and efficient way. This blog will cover what the VSC has to offer and how you can use this resource to your advantage.

A huge opportunity is coming up for small business GSA contractors—in response to recent Executive Orders surrounding sustainability and the climate crisis, GSA’s Public Buildings Service (PBS) has issued a pre-solicitation for Governmentwide Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. These general construction contracts with design-build capabilities will support the installation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) at federal government agency locations across the U.S.

Competing in the federal market can be difficult, especially if you don’t have the right tools and knowledge to properly market your GSA contract. As a small business, there are so many opportunities in the federal marketplace, but it’s up to you to know where to find them. You may know your industry commercially, but it’s crucial that you understand the government side of marketing.