Phase 2 of the GSA MAS Consolidation is Here: Mandatory Mass Mod A812
The Consolidation Mass Mod (#A812) finally here! GSA has Consolidated 24 "Schedules" into 1 Schedule, 12 Large Categories, 83 Subcategories, and 316 Special Item Numbers (SINs).The Consolidation is the biggest change in the history of GSA's Federal Supply Schedule and offers Schedule contractors a significant opportunity to update their contract. All GSA contractors MUST accept Mass Mod A812 within 90 days of receiving the initial email notification from GSA. Register for our webinar on February 25 to learn more. READ MORE
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Join us to learn about the mandatory Mass Mod, required actions after acceptance, new Large Category modification process, new GSA eBuy, and the new marketing opportunities now available to Schedule contractors.
GSA’s new single Schedule solicitation features a simplified format with streamlined terms and conditions, new large categories and sub-categories, and updated Special Item Numbers (SINs).
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CRITICAL INFORMATION
Phase Two of MAS Consolidation Strategy Began January 2020
Starting on January 31, the General Services Administration (GSA) began a mass modification to its Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) to consolidate all existing 24 systems into one single Schedule. This approach is part of an all-encompassing revision meant to modernize the Federal acquisition system. In a statement released last week by the GSA, GSA Administrator Emily Murphy noted: “Moving to a single schedule is good for federal agencies, our industry partners, and our acquisition workforce. It's a key piece of the picture for making it easier to deliver solutions.” It is important to keep in mind that if your company holds a GSA Schedule, you will be affected by this change and need to accept the Mass Modification. We can help.
QUICK TIP OF THE MONTH
Be Proactive with Automation!
A GSA Schedule requires a lot of compliance in its maintenance. You have GSA Quarterly Sales Reporting and payment of the Industrial Funding Fee, GSA Small Business Subcontract Reporting if you are an other-than small business, checking up on Mass Modifications, renewing your SAM.gov registration, ensuring your contract information is current, complete, and accurate…and more! To make sure that you don’t miss any of these contract maintenance deadlines, set up reminders on your calendar to ensure you are compliant. For example, Quarterly Sales Reports are due January 30th, April 30th, July 30th, and October 30th. Set up a reminder a week before the deadline to submit these reports so that you don’t have to remember every deadline. SAM.gov registrations need to be reviewed and updated every year, so set your calendar update ahead of that date to ensure that it’s taken care of. Go through each compliance measure that GSA requires and set up these reminders. It can save you a big headache down the line!
EMERGING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
ASTRO Multiple Award IDIQ
ASTRO is a Multiple-Award (MA), Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract sponsored by the Department of Defense. This vehicle will be awarded and administered by the General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), Assisted Acquisition Service (AAS), Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM). ASTRO is a contract vehicle dedicated to Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Multiple RFIs have already been posted in 2019 and the draft solicitation is projected to be released sometime this quarter. This is a huge opportunity for Drone and UAV contractors, so make sure to monitor GSA Interact for updates. Looking for more information? Check out our blog!
GSA Multiple Award Schedule (Consolidated)
The General Services Administration has initiated Phase II of the Multiple Award Schedule Consolidation. Current contractors are being issued Mass Modifications to consolidate their currently awarded Schedule and SINs to the new SIN format. Beginning in March, current contractors will be able to add new SINs to their consolidated contract across multiple Large Categories. This is a huge opportunity for current GSA contractors who have capabilities outside the scope of their current GSA Schedule contract. GSA has published a list of Available Offerings, including all consolidated categories and SINs. Contact your Winvale Consultant for help adding additional SINs or categories.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GSA Financial Review—What Should I expect?
Q: What do I need to do to prepare for the GSA Financial Review?
To prepare for the GSA Financial Review, you need to submit current, complete, and accurate financial statements for your company from the past two years with your GSA offer. These financials should include a Balance Statement as well as a Profit and Loss Sheet. These financial statements don’t need to be audited but ensure that they are accurate—review the statements internally before submitting to GSA. GSA is generally looking for short term liquidity by looking at the current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) and long-term solvency by reviewing the Debt to Equity ratio (total liabilities divided by total equity). If there are any issues with your financials, you should attach a statement that explains the situation and how the problem will not be an issue moving forward. In short, GSA is trying to determine that you are Financially Responsible as a company, so prove that you are!
Q: Who conducts the Financial Review?
The Contracting Officer that is assigned to your GSA Schedule Offer is the first person to review your financial statements. They review for red flags and basic financial readiness of the company. Sometimes the financial review needs to be carried out by the GSA financial Analysis office in Kansas City. There, your financial statements will be assessed by one of two Analysts. This office is independent of the GSA Schedule Acquisition office, but the two offices work together to get your offer awarded if GSA finds that the offer meets all the necessary requirements.
How long does the Financial Review last?
The length of the financial review depends on your responsiveness to the GSA Financial Analysis Office and their current workload. The office will require a completed SF-527 and a bank reference from your company’s bank. It’s very important to be responsive to the Kansas City office as they are a large determinate of whether your company is seen as financially responsible. If you do not respond in a timely manner, they may take that to mean you are not invested in your GSA Schedule and convey this information to your contracting officer. The review typically lasts 1-2 weeks after the documentation is submitted. If the Kansas City office proves that your company’s financials are good, the analyst gives the go-ahead to the contracting officer and the offer review proceeds. If the Kansas City office does not think your company is financially responsible, the Contracting Officer will either reject your GSA Schedule offer or ask for it to be withdrawn.
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