July 1st marks the beginning of Q4, the last quarter of the federal government’s fiscal year. Q4 is an exceptionally busy time for GSA, as government agencies need to spend the remainder of their annual budgets before the fiscal year closes. Nearly 1/3rd of federal contract dollars are awarded during Q4, so it’s a prime time for GSA contractors to get valuable bids.
To take full advantage of Q4 opportunities over the next few months, contractors should ensure their GSA price list is up to date. Updating your offerings and prices on a regular basis is a necessary part of contract compliance, and if your pricelist is not current, it could hinder your ability to win bids. Make sure you submit any modifications as needed to update your products. You should also be proactive about potential bid opportunities and ensure you are properly marketing your GSA contract.
GSA contractors can benefit greatly from the increased spending of Q4, so it’s essential that your company is prepared for the coming months. To get a comprehensive list of everything that you need to be ready for Q4, check out our blog.
Whether you already have a GSA Schedule contract or you are looking to get one, it is important to know your NAICS Code(s) and what that information means. This webinar highlights what NAICS Codes are, why they are important, and how to take advantage of them. We’ll discuss:
Need tips and tutorials on how to use different websites for market research? GSA experts will go over digitals tools such as the Contract Awarded Labor Category (CALC), Discovery, and Price Estimating Market Research tools. Register for the event here.
Every month, MAS experts host a webinar dedicated to specific topics. This month’s topic is “Delivery – what to do and how to do it.” This is an excellent opportunity to engage with policy makers and network with other vendors. Register here.
Want to learn more about Request for Information (RFIs) and how they can be a useful tool for your business? This webinar will bring innovative insights on how to respond to RFIs by providing tips and tricks from the experts on how to fill out these surveys. Register here.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Couldn't make it to last month's Lunch & Learn webinar? Watch it here on demand. We cover what you need to know about modifying your GSA Schedule both to maintain regulatory compliance and to provide up to date offerings through your GSA Schedule.
GSA Advantage! is one of the most important procurement platforms where contractors can list their products and sell them to the government. Since it’s such an easy and efficient way to be guaranteed the best price on products, government buyers will often look to GSA Advantage! to make their purchases.
One way to keep your GSA Advantage! listing up to date is by keeping up with your product photos. By uploading clear, high-quality photos, you could increase sales, visibility, ranking in search results, and customer loyalty.
Another way to increase visibility and sales on GSA Advantage! is by including detailed product names and descriptions. Within the listing, you’ll want to make sure you include a detailed product description and product name, focusing on using the right keywords. This includes the Part Number, Product Name, Company Name, and Product Description. You want to make sure you include the right keywords in your product description so government buyers can find your products easily.
GSA Advantage! is an important tool for GSA contractors, and you should be utilizing it to its fullest potential. You can learn more GSA Advantage! best practices here.
QUICK TIP OF THE MONTH
GSA Schedule Marketing 101
Now that we’re in Q4, government agencies are racing to spend the remainder of their budget. Q4 is a major opportunity for GSA contractors, and you want to make sure your products and services are visible to government customers. Do you need help effectively marketing your GSA Schedule to the government? We put together some tips:
Identify your target government agencies and research them including their budget, acquisition plans, current/past awards, and procurement forecasts.
Find out who your competitors are and research their pricing, capabilities, and previous contract awards.
Brush up on GSA’s procurement platforms: GSA Advantage! and GSA eBuy. These tools are crucial in finding government contracting opportunities and publicly listing your solutions.
Boost your company’s website presence. Dedicating a section of your site to government customers can go a long way.
Learn how to draft an effective capabilities statement and prepare one for each relevant government customer.
For more tips and information on how to market your contract to the government, check out our blog and webinar on GSA Schedule marketing.
EMERGING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Request for Information - Energy Related
The Department of Defense has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for various energy technologies for the purpose of providing resilience solutions to Air Force installations through the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance (OEA). This RFI intends to inquire about technical and economic data points and project development concepts from industry. Responses are due by August 11, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. More information can be found under Notice ID: W912DY-19-U-OEA1.
Automated Financial Institutions and Providers Data Feed Products and Services (eFeeds)
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a pre-solicitation for industry input concerning automated electronic systems for monitoring employee ethics compliance regarding personal securities holdings and transactions. This opportunity is listed under primary NAICS Code 541512—Computer Systems Designs Services. Responses are due by August 27, 2021, at 1 p.m. EDT. More information can be found under Notice ID: RFIEFEEDS032621.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:The offerings on my GSA Schedule are out of date. How can I update my schedule before the Q4 spending spree ends?
A: If you want to make sure your Schedule is up to date before the end of Q4, you will need to get started now. If you have new solutions that you would like to offer to GSA, you can submit mods to add SINs, products, and/or services. If the pricing on your current offerings needs to be updated, you will need to submit either an Economic Price Adjustment, which raises your prices, or a Price Reductions mod to lower your prices. If you need to remove anything from your Schedule, you can also submit a delete mod.
Q: What documents do I need to complete for a modification?
A: It depends: if the changes in the mod affect your product or service offerings, you will generally need to submit at minimum a cover letter detailing the changes, a Price Proposal Template which contains your current offerings and specifies the changes, and an updated GSA Schedule price list that displays the changes. Depending on your contract and the type of mod, there may be other requirements which can include but are not limited to updated Commercial Sales Practices, a Commercial Price List, and pricing support. You should reference the Mod Guide for more information.
Q: What is the basic process for the submission and acceptance of modifications?
A: First, you will need to compile the documents required for your mod. Make sure you have checked the Mod Guide and any requirements specific to your SIN and Large Category. Then, you will be able to submit the mod in eMod. Once you have submitted the mod, your Contracting Specialist and/or Contracting Officer will review it. If they reject the mod, you will have to make necessary changes and resubmit. If they award it, the mod has been incorporated into your contract and you should complete a SIP upload in order to update your public GSA Schedule pricelist and catalog.
Need to Talk?
CONNECT WITH US
Washington, D.C. | Philadelphia, PA | Richmond, VA
Winvale, 11490 Commerce Park Drive, Suite 412, Reston, VA 20191, United States, (202) 296-5505
