A lot of our clients come rushing to us to let us know that they must go through a GSA “Audit.” However, most of the time, they are referring to their Contractor Assessment Visit, or CAV. A CAV is an important compliance measure that is conducted by their Industrial Operations Analyst (IOA) but is not an audit. A CAV is meant to help contractors identify potential areas of improvement when it comes to compliance with the contractor’s terms and conditions. The CAV process includes various data requests from your IOA, a meeting to review compliance measures, and the issuance of an IOA report card. To make sure you’re prepared for your next CAV, review the breakdown! READ MORE
GSA and NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) will be co-hosting this VIRTUAL Electronic Records Management (ERM) Collaboration Day. Both government and records management industry solution providers are invited to join this free event.
If you are interested in learning how to create an effective federal marketing plan with a targeted approach to government procurement, you'll want to attend this webinar hosted by GSA.
Learn how to keep your contract up-to-date through contract modifications (mods), update GSA Advantage upon approval of mods, and maintain a complete contract file.
How to Succeed Under CMMC: Small Business Solution for Defense Contractors
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) audits begin in 2021, and if organizations in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) want to succeed under CMMC, they need to have the required practices and processes in place. Are you prepared?
Join us as we discuss CUICK TRAC™, an affordable, practical and secure way for small to medium sized businesses to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), as well as where to find accurate CMMC information & updates.
Phase 3 of the GSA MAS Consolidation is underway! Phase 3 is the final phase of MAS Consolidation and started on August 1st. Although Phase 3 has officially started, contractors may not see changes until later this year or January 2021 because of COVID-19 related delays.
GSA has released a Phase III overview and FAQ document for industry and a contractor checklist & planning spreadsheet that is required for Phase 3 contractors to use in outlining the elements of their various contracts and planning for consolidation. GSA will streamline the process by moving impacted contracts to one Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) when possible, and they expect the majority of contractors with multiple contracts will see their contract(s) moved to one PCO in the 4th quarter of fiscal year 2020 and 1st quarter of fiscal year 2021.
If you have more than one GSA MAS contract, join GSA's Consolidation Phase 3: Consolidating Current Contractswebinar on Monday, August 10th or
CMMC Requirements are Included in the 8(a) STARS III Contract
Cybersecurity is a central discriminating factor in the new 8(a) STARS III contract — GSA recently included language about the Cyber Security Maturity Model Certificate (CMMC) in the 8(a) STARS III RFP. CMMC is the Department of Defense’s new set of cybersecurity standards consisting of five maturity levels that will be used to measure cyber hygiene. What does this mean for potential 8(a) STARS III contractors?
To be considered in the RFP, a written cybersecurity and Supply Chain Risk Assessment (SCRM) assessment must be submitted, outlining the steps taken to identify, manage, and mitigate supply chain and cybersecurity risk. In the assessment, contractors should address their intention to obtain at least CMMC level 1 and state when the process will be complete. Contractors should also provide details on how they will adequately protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The companies with the strongest cybersecurity programs will have an advantage.
Remember: The 8(a) STARS III Proposal is Due August 19, 2020, so be sure to have your cybersecurity plan in order!
QUICK TIP OF THE MONTH
Making the Most of the MAS Modification Guide
The GSA MAS Consolidation has made for a lot of changes over the last year and things keep changing! Most recently, GSA Contracting Officers have been pushing the use of MAS documents for Modifications submitted to the eMod system. All modifications submitted should adhere to the MAS Modification Guide standards, which can be found here. GSA contractors should be careful to utilize the MAS price proposal templates and updated modification documents or risk having their modification rejected. The key document changes to look out for include, but are not limited to, the following:
MAS Price Proposal Template – Make sure you use the correct Price Proposal Template! The template has changed substantially since the MAS Consolidation and is different depending on if you are offering products, services, or training courses. There are a lot of tabs, so double check that you are using the correct template, tab, and most up-to-date version. Contractors that are unfamiliar with the new Price Proposal Template can get more familiar with the document by watching this educational video.
Modification Cover Letter – Every modification submitted to the eMod system by the contractor requires a Cover Letter explaining the modification change. Be sure to include the statements listed in the MAS Modification guide depending on the type of modification you are submitting.
GSA has been trying to standardize its processes to fit the MAS Consolidation and this push to utilize all MAS modification, rather than using modified versions of the Legacy schedules’ documents, is moving contracting officers in the right direction. When in doubt, reach out to your contracting officer to ask questions about the correct MAS Modification documentation before submitting a mod or reach out to one of our consultants to help you through the process!
EMERGING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Enterprise Communications and Networks Division Multiple Award Contract
The Department of Navy, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific has issued a pre-solicitation notice for support for the Enterprise and Communication Networks Division Multiple Award Contract. The requirement has been identified under NAICS Code 541330 Engineering Services and will include technology insertion, software and systems engineering, modeling and simulation, model based systems engineering, network engineering, installation and testing, and integrated logistics in support of communications, information technology, and other Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) efforts. Responses are due no later than October 15, 2020. Additional information regarding this opportunity can be found on beta.sam.gov.
Alteration/ Repair Multiple Award IDIQ
The Department of the Interior US Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a pre-solicitation notice for a Multiple Award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for alteration, repair, rehab and demolition, design and new non-complex construction. The area of coverage includes the states of Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Hawaii and Pacific Islands, Nevada, and Western Montana. Services will include, but are not limited to: interior and exterior building renovations; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, to include controls; electrical; mechanical; plumbing; fire suppression; fire and security systems; communications; site-work; millwork; landscaping; fencing; masonry; concrete; asphalt paving; storm drainage; asbestos and lead abatement; mold and limited soil remediation, ancillary design and other related work. The solicitation is anticipated to be available on or about August 20, 2020. Questions are currently anticipated to be due by close of business on September 18, 2020. Proposals are currently anticipated to be due on October 16, 2020. More information regarding this opportunity can be found on beta.sam.gov.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: I received GSA’s email about Subgroup selection last week. What do I need to do?
A: Since the consolidation has created a more efficient MAS procurement environment, GSA is allowing contractors to select subgroups in order to further classify themselves into categories that potential buyers will be able to more easily search and find exactly what they’re looking for. The self-certification process will need to be done in GSA eBuy, and contractors will be prompted to select all subgroups that are applicable to their own scope of work. Subgroups are also visible on GSA eLibrary as of 8/1, and can be seen here.
Q: I have two MAS contracts; when will they become one as part of Consolidation Phase III?
A: As of right now, GSA has not provided any hard and fast date for this to occur. Each contractor’s situation will be unique based on number of total MAS contracts, how many SINs are on each, period of performance (PoP), and awarded BPAs/existing contracts under each. It is estimated that most contractors will target early - mid 2021 for this to occur, although Phase III has officially already begun on August 1, 2020. Ultimately, each contractor will need to coordinate with their assigned Contracting Officer(s) in order to establish a streamlined consolidation plan.
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