Maintaining GSA compliance can be hard work and full of nuances, and one of those instances is keeping your contract TAA compliant. TAA compliance means the “final products” sold through your GSA Schedule as a product, manufacturer or GSA reseller, cannot be made in certain countries (you can find the full list here).
Here are some simple ways you can make sure you’re maintaining TAA compliance. First of all, do research on potential manufacturers so you know if their products are TAA compliant. Secondly, once you have picked a manufacturer – make sure you have the proper documentation, whether it be a Letter of Supply or Commercial Teaming Agreement (CTA). Lastly, detailed inventory is a must, including sample products, product markings, and product matching. While these 3 are great ways to start, there is full list of best practices and a more comprehensive understanding of TAA compliance on our blog.
Couldn't make it to last month's webinar? Watch it here on demand. In this webinar, we'll cover what you need to know about how government agencies conduct market research and why it's important for contractors to understand the process.
Come and hear from PSHC’s Program Operations and Contract Operations teams about the latest changes to the Professional Services and Human Capital MAS contract and its evolution. Register here.
This live, interactive webinar training on Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)-IT Pre Award / Offer Preparation is focused on MAS Pre Award and Offer Preparation is hosted by a GSA acquisition professional that will review key elements of the eOffer process for attaining a MAS contract. Register here.
In this hour long webinar, attorneys from McCarter & English will address the significant changes made to the long-standing domestic preference rules that apply to government procurements and federally funded infrastructure projects, to include detailed summaries of and tips for compliance with:
New domestic preference requirements set forth in recent Executive Orders and codified by the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA)
Recent changes to Buy American regulations in the FAR and DFARS
Domestic preference requirements in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
New and increased Buy American enforcement activity
Another month, another Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation Refresh—GSA released Refresh #14 on July 20, 2022 to temporarily close the Core Financial Management Solutions (Core FS) Subgroup of SIN 518210FM to new offers/modifications. GSA is temporarily closing this SIN to allow GSA to further consider its needs and the acquisition strategy associated with it. It’s important to note that any offers or modifications to add products and services under the following 3 Subgroups of SIN 518210FM will continue to be accepted:
Additional Financial Management (FM) Solutions
Financial Management (FM) Service/Solution Adoption and Transition Services
Financial Management (FM) Technology Operations Support Services
Once the analysis is complete and any additional adjustments are incorporated, GSA will re-open the Core FS Subgroup of SIN 518210FM.
Veteran-Owned Small Business Certifications Changing from VA to SBA
Starting January 2023, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certifications will be moving from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA will also be creating a certification process for SDVOSBs so they will no longer be able to self-certify. Why this change? The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2021 amended the certification process so the responsibility of VOSB and SDVOSB certification will be moved to the SBA.
How does this affect you if you're currently certified as a VOSB or SDVOSB? Right now, there is no immediate action required at this time. After this change is enacted, self-certified SDVOSBs will have up to one year to remain self-certified. More information can be found in our blog.
QUICK TIP
SAM Entity Validation Tips
Entity validation in SAM is one of the necessary steps needed to submit a GSA Schedule contract. Having your entity rejected delays your process in becoming a Schedule contract holder. Here is a list of dos and don’ts to follow that can help increase your chances of successfully getting your entity validated in SAM:
Dos
If you need to create a ticket due to entity not being found or entity information not matching on SAM, thoroughly explain the reason for creating the ticket.
Ensure that documents submitted are current and concur with the standard requirements such as:
Utility statements – no more than 5 years old
Articles of incorporation – information included should reflect current entity information (name, address, etc).
Ensure supporting documents reflect any changes that have been made to your entity since established (example: make sure all documents match the current name of company if a name change has occurred)
Attached a certified English translation for all documents written in a foreign language.
Don’ts
Do not use a P.O. box as the entity physical address
Do not attached unprocessed forms and applications (documents in the form they were submitted).
Do not attach documents of poor quality (not legible).
Partnership Intermediary Agreements Concerning Improving Technology Transfer and Commercialization of Technology for the Homeland Security Enterprise
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Enterprise has issued a Sources Sought seeking one or more Partnership Intermediary Agreements pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 3715, with a Partnership Intermediary, to provide services to support the technology transfer and commercialization of technology solutions for use by DHS and the Homeland Security Enterprise. Please refer to the DHS S&T website for ideas about what type of technology solutions may be of interest. Responses are due by September 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. More information can be found under Notice ID DHS-ST_PIA_RFI_20200221.
Air-Launched Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) for Kinetic Engagement
The Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems Directorate issued an RFI in support of the development and demonstration of technology for air-launched Group 1 small Unmanned Aerial Systems. For this RFI, air-launched is defined as deploying into an operational configuration while in the air, launched from an airplane, UAS, or standalone launcher, weighing 0-20lbs, operating below 1200 feet Above Ground Level, and an airspeed of below 100 knots. This opportunity is listed under primary NAICS Code 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Responses are due by September 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. More information can be found under Notice ID RFI-RQKPD-2022-0001.
A Solicitation of the NIH and The CDC for Small Business Innovation Research Contract Proposals
The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a pre-solicitation from small business concerns that possess the R&D expertise to conduct innovative research that will contribute toward NIH and CDC mission needs while reaching Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program objectives. This opportunity is listed under primary NAICS Code 54171 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Responses are due by November 04, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. More information can be found under Notice ID PHS-2023-1.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is the Startup Springboard Program?
A: The Startup Springboard Program is a part of GSA’s “Making it Easier to do Business with the Government” initiative which allows certain companies to bypass the 2 years in business requirement using alternatives documents and criteria.
Q: Who is eligible for the Springboard Program?
A: GSA has recently expanded the program to all industries, so more than just IT contractors are eligible. However, all contractors are still subject to approval. Companies seeking eligibility under the Springboard Program need to provide relevant professional experience of key executives along with the company’s past project experience in lieu of the 2 years in business requirement. Additionally, companies will be required to provide financial statements demonstrating adequate operational responsibility and compliance with “fair and reasonable” pricing standards.
Q: What are the benefits of the Startup Springboard Program?
A: The Springboard Program benefits companies and government entities alike. Private companies utilizing this program benefit from expanding their corporate experience, financial development, and growth opportunities by broadening their potential market share. Federal, state, and local government entities benefit from having access to potentially some of the latest solutions from GSA contractors.
Need to Talk?
CONNECT WITH US
Richmond, VA
Winvale, 3951 Westerre Parkway, Suite 250, Richmond, VA 23233, United States, (202) 296-5505
.png?upscale=true&width=520&upscale=true&name=Selling%20to%20the%20Government%20%E2%80%93%20Proposal%20%26%20GovOpp%20Best%20Practices%20(21).png)
