So, you’ve found yourself awarded with a government contract vehicle, such as a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), and would like to respond to a government Request for Proposal, otherwise known as an RFP. What happens next? For those interested in responding to government contract opportunities, you should know that RFPs are often the most common type of opportunity you will come across. However, before responding to an RFP, it’s important to understand a few vital components that go into shaping a successful response package.

In the wave of modernizing sites like SAM.gov, the Vendor Support Center (VSC) and GSA Interact, GSA is transitioning from the DUNS number to a new Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Starting April 4, 2022, the new Unique Entity ID will the be official governmentwide identifier used for federal awards. This means the third-party DUNS number will be retired, and you will need a Unique Entity ID found in the System for Award Management (SAM) to do business with the government. This change is part of an effort to streamline systems within GSA. So, how can you prepare for this? Here are some tips to make sure the transition goes smoothly for you and your business.

The word “contract” may sound binding by nature, but since you can have your GSA Schedule for up to 20 years, it’s bound to change. Whether it’s your prices, the products and services you offer, or your company address, you’ll inevitably need to make changes. This can be done through GSA Schedule modifications. Modifications are an important part of managing your GSA Schedule and are required to keep your contract current, complete, and accurate.

GSA Advantage!, an online shopping platform for government buyers, acts much like Amazon. A government buyer can hop onto the site, type in a keyword for what they need or browse by several categories, and electronically purchase products in just a few clicks. But what happens next? We talk a lot about how important it is as a GSA contractor to maximize your product listings on GSA Advantage! and keep it updated, but once a buyer chooses one of your items, it’s just as important to know how to handle the backend of the orders.

With an increasing market in Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems, GSA wants to make sure your system is secure enough to support a potential threat. Even if you are not competing in the IT and Information Systems market, it’s important to make sure your entity and server is protected from cybersecurity attacks. We have seen an increase in harmful cyberattacks the past few years, and the federal government is focused now more than ever on improving the nation’s cybersecurity.

Just like last year, 2021 was yet another unpredictable year. However, one thing remained certain through this tumultuous time—increased federal government spending. As the global pandemic continues, the federal government continues to channel more funding and research toward mitigating COVID-19. However, COVID-19 isn’t the only factor influencing federal government spending. 2021 brought a whole new administration when Biden became president, and a new administration means budgets can fluctuate and government agencies can alter their spending habits.