GSA’s Startup Springboard Program Expands to All Large Categories
If you’re a new, innovative business, you now have the opportunity to bypass one of GSA’s main requirements to get a GSA Schedule—companies that have been in business for less than 2 years can still submit a GSA Schedule offer through GSA’s Startup Springboard Program. Last month, the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Refresh #12 expanded the Startup Springboard Program from just IT to all Large Categories.
How does this program work? Companies can substitute executive or key personnel professional experience for 2 years of corporate experience. You can also substitute project experience of key personnel for relevant past performance. For financials, you will need to show documentation that demonstrates your company’s financial responsibility in place of 2 years of financial statements. You can learn more about the Startup Springboard Program in our recent blog.
Couldn't make it to last month's webinar? Watch it here on demand. In this webinar, we'll help you navigate and break down all the sections of a government solicitation.
This webinar is great for contractors who want to get a better understanding of how to effectively respond to RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs. During this webinar, GSA will provide your small business with the most effective strategies for creating effective responses in order to grow your small business. Register here to join.
This webinar will discuss the importance of market research, outline the prerequisites needed to become a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contractor, and review the required documents needed to receive a MAS contract. Register here.
GSA is hosting an interactive webinar to help potential GSA MAS contract holders learn the key elements necessary to prepare an offer. The training will also provide an open forum for prospective contractors to seek additional clarifications from expert GSA contracting personnel. Register here to join.
Did you know GSA Schedule contractors are pre-qualified to apply for a California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS) contract? In this webinar, we'll discuss:
GSA has recently made some significant updates to the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation between both Refreshes 12 and 13 that will have a large impact on both current and prospective contractors. We'll discuss:
Implications of the expansion of the Startup Springboard program for all MAS Large Categories
Retirement of specific SINs, including 541519CDM, and more
GSA sets 30-day extension for certain SAM registration renewals
In April, SAM.gov transitioned away from using the DUNS number and now uses a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). To makes this transition as seamless as possible, a 30-day extension has been automatically added to every entity’s SAM expiration date between April 29, 2022, and April 28, 2023. This means that if your entity registration expires within the date range above, you will have 30 days added to your current expiration date. For example, if your entity was set to expire on August 1, 2022, your new expiration date will be September 1, 2022. Administrators for impacted entities will receive an email from samadmin@sam.gov with the subject line “30-Day SAM.gov Extension Granted for [Entity Name/Unique Entity ID/CAGE].” If you are experiencing complications or need help, check out our blog on renewing your SAM registration.
QUICK TIP OF THE MONTH
Using the new and improved MAS Roadmap
In a wave of significant changes, GSA has updated the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) roadmap. This roadmap helps potential contractors navigate their GSA Schedule offers using a step-by-step guide. In this roadmap, the process of getting a GSA Schedule is explained in the following five (5) steps:
MAS Prospective Contractors
Learn and Understand
Prepare
Gather Information
Finalize and Submit Offer
Each step outlines the actions in strategic order you need to take before you finalize and submit your GSA Schedule offer. The MAS roadmap also provides additional resources that further educate and guide prospective contractors in preparing an offer. You can check out the new roadmap here.
EMERGING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Modernization of Current Logistic Command and Control Systems
The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued an RFI for Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Ground System Contractor Logistics Support and Integration Services, including Design and Integration for MUOS Ground System Improvements to support MUOS Service Life Extension (SLE) through 2040. This opportunity is listed under primary NAICS Code 541330 - Engineering Services. Responses are due by July 5, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. PDT. More information can be found under Notice ID CGKN-22-0001.
RFI Joint Interagency Field Experimentation Events
The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued a sources sought notice for The Naval Postgraduate School Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) events throughout FY22. Companies, educational institutions, laboratories, and other organizations are invited to submit experiment proposals that may lead to an invitation to participate in FY22 JIFX events. This opportunity is listed under primary NAICS Code 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Responses are due by September 30th, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. More information can be found under Notice ID N62271-22-I-1001.
Partnership Intermediary Agreements Concerning Improving Technology Transfer and Commercialization of Technology for the Homeland Security Enterprise
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate has issued a sources sought notice for small business firms and educational institutions to increase the likelihood of success in the conduct of collaborative or joint activities, and to stimulate and promote technology development, and outbound and inbound transfer of technology between DHS S&T and academia, industry, and federal laboratories. This opportunity has no listed NAICS Code. 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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses cover the GSA Schedule?
A: While many clauses are relevant to the GSA Schedule, FAR Subpart 8.4 describes the GSA Schedule program and its basic functions. It includes requirements surrounding pricing, publishing of Schedule information, ordering procedures, price reductions, and eligible entities. If you need to brush up on the basics of the GSA Schedule program, there’s a good chance you’ll find that information here.
Q:Does the FAR cover what countries products and services can come from?
A: Yes, FAR 52.225-5 states that products and services on your GSA Schedule must comply with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA). To be TAA compliant, items must be manufactured or “substantially transformed” in the U.S. or another designated country. This is why you cannot sell items completely manufactured in China or India but can sell items manufactured in Canada. There are 4 groups of designated countries that contractors are allowed to sell items from: World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement countries, Free Trade Agreement countries, least developed countries, and Caribbean Basin countries.
Q: What does the FAR say about Subcontracting Plans?
A: According to FAR 19.702, small business Subcontracting Plans are required for “other than small” business contractors for any contract greater in value than the simplified acquisition threshold. The purpose of this is for small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, and women-owned small businesses to receive “the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in contract performance consistent with its efficient performance.” As such, if you determine that you are an “other than small business,” you will need to draft a Subcontracting Plan in accordance with GSA’s standards to ensure you are in compliance with the FAR.
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