What is GSA's Startup Springboard Program?

In today’s fast-paced world, technology has streamlined the way we access information, products, and services. The new push for the most recent technology has also been felt by the General Services Administration (GSA). For contractors who are planning on utilizing the GSA Schedules for their business, the GSA Startup Springboard Program may be for you. Through GSA’s Startup Springboard Program, federal agencies gain faster access to IT products and services, while prospective contractors can submit a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) offer even with less than two years of business experience.

Frequently, small businesses have concerns about meeting the experience requirements for the GSA Schedule. However, if you are a new and innovative IT contractor with less than two years of experience, then you should look at the GSA Startup Springboard Program.

What is the GSA Startup Springboard Program?

Contractors looking to get a GSA Schedule contract usually must meet certain eligibility requirements, which include being in business for at least two years, adhering to the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), and offering the same products and services commercially. However, the two-year corporate experience requirement can often pose as an obstacle for small businesses, particularly start-ups.

As an alternative to needing two-years of business experience, GSA has created a program that new and smaller IT companies can utilize to get on the GSA Schedule. This benefits small IT start-up businesses that cannot meet the standard requirement of two years of financials and corporate experience. As a result, agencies are also able to procure the latest technology and services available. It’s important to note that the Springboard Program recently went back to its roots and will only include IT contractors now. We’ll discuss more about the requirements in the next section.

Eligibility and Requirements for the GSA Startup Springboard Program

With Refresh #31 on the horizon, GSA is looking to change some of the eligibility requirements to restrict access to the GSA Springboard Program. GSA plans to limit the Springboard Program only to offerors who would meet GSA FASt Lane requirements. Those requirements are listed below.

• The offer can only submit Information Technology Category (ITC) Special Item Numbers (SINs) with their Springboard Offer. Contractors can also submit the ANCILLARY SIN.

• Be tied to an eligible federal IT initiative (2GIT, SCRIPTS BPA, Defense Health Agency Enterprise IT Services, and other IT initiatives that arise)

• Have a written request from a federal agency ordering activity that states vendors should participate in FASt Lane to support the agency’s IT requirements. Vendors must include this written request in the springboard eOffer submission package)

Additionally, FAStlane eligible contractors are required to respond within twenty-four hours to any inquiries or requested information from GSA Contracting Officers, or you may lose GSA springboard eligibility. Lastly, contractors will want to submit a FASt Lane Eligibility Checklist with their Springboard Offer to ensure that they meet the requirements.

Benefits of the Springboard Program

The GSA Startup Springboard Program is a benefit to both contractors and agencies. Startup IT companies have an opportunity to sell and market their cutting-edge IT solutions to federal contractors while also expanding their expertise and financial development. Federal agencies benefit by having access to those new cutting-edge IT solutions available through the GSA Schedule program.

This update to the Startup Springboard Program will continue GSA’s role in making the GSA Schedule more accessible for new IT contractors, particularly those offering innovative technology solutions. By reducing the normal experience barriers, the GSA Springboard Program allows qualifying small IT businesses to pursue a GSA Schedule even without two years of corporate experience.

This initiative reflects the federal government’s continued focus on creating and improving more opportunities for small businesses in government contracting. For contractors, the Startup Springboard Program provides a new way to access the federal market earlier and sell cutting-edge IT solutions.

How to Apply for the Springboard Program

If you’re a startup IT business that is looking to sell new and emerging IT products or services, then you should consider looking at the GSA Startup Springboard Program. Applying for the GSA Startup Springboard Program allows emerging contractors to enter the federal marketplace sooner by reducing traditional eligibility barriers. Participation in the program can support increased visibility with federal agencies and allow IT contractors to begin accessing the federal marketplace sooner.

If you have any questions about eligibility for the GSA Startup Springboard Program or want to start pursuing a GSA Startup Springboard Program schedule acquisition, please reach out to a Winvale Consultant today!