The Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul, or RFO, was established as a result of Executive Order 14275, and it’s important for Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contractors to keep up with each FAR part’s revisions. Under the RFO, FAR Subpart 8.4, which governed the processes for agencies to follow when placing orders through the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Program, including MAS, has been revised. Now, purchasers are directed to follow the FSS ordering procedures outlined within General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) Subpart 538.71. A few key changes for MAS ordering procedures under are summarized below:
Updated requirements for establishing a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) against a GSA Schedule contract.
Open market item guidance has been removed. Agencies are encouraged to utilize Order-Level Materials (OLMs) for the procurement of products or services not awarded to an FSS contract.
MAS contractors can purchase from other MAS contractors to fulfill order requirements.
More information regarding updated MAS ordering procedures under the RFO can be found in our recent blog.
Are You Taking Advantage of National Stock Numbers (NSNs)?
If you work in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), you may be missing out on key opportunities if you aren't familiar with National Stock Numbers (NSNs). If you want your products to be visible in defense and NATO procurement systems, they need to be tied to the right NSN. We are now offering NSN consulting and part number research to help contractor take advantage of NSNs. Learn more about our support here.
Winvale Officially Expands into Europe
We are excited to announce our new subsidiary "Winvale EU, GmbH" and new office in Wiesbaden, Germany! This strategic expansion allows Winvale to serve key markets, as both an advisor to European companies that want to sell to the U.S. public sector, and to support U.S. companies that want to sell to European defence markets and NATO. Learn more on our new EU website.
GSA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) invites small businesses operating in Central Office and the National Capital Region (Zone 1) to join their OSDBU office hours. Small businesses operating in these locations are invited to join them: Washington DC Metro Area, surrounding parts of MD & VA. Register here.
GSA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) invites small businesses operating in Regions 1, 2, and 3 (Zone 2) to join their OSDBU office hours. Small businesses operating in these locations are invited to join them: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, NY, NJ, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, DE, PA, WV, parts of MD & VA. Register here.
Is there an opportunity for your company to sell your products through the National Stock Number (NSN) program? Government agencies and NATO use National Stock Numbers (NSNs) to identify and manage almost every imaginable supply item, and if your products aren't cataloged in the Defense Logistic Agency's (DLA) NSN system, you could be missing out on potential business.
If you’ve ever wondered what an NSN is, how it works, or whether your products already align to one, this webinar is for you. Join Crystal Rudko, Winvale's VP of the Public Sector as she teams up with Shane Sears, Founder & CEO of Irvin Minter to cover:
What is a National Stock Number?
Why were National Stock Numbers Created?
How are National Stock Numbers Structured?
What is the Purpose and Value of National Stock Numbers?
Last month, GSA decommissioned FPDS.gov and esrs.gov, and redirected the main pages to SAM.gov. This update follows the final transition of the FPDS search application and ezSearch features, as well as the subcontracting reporting functions to SAM.gov. This update is part of a larger effort with GSA's Integrated Award Environment (IAE) to modernize and consolidate federal awards systems. You can learn more about the current and future updates in our blog.
QUICK TIP
Refresh #31 is Expected to Be Released in March or April – Are You Ready?
GSA recently announced that Refresh #31 is expected to be released in March or April, which means it’s time for contractors to prepare. One of the most significant changes included in Refresh #31 is making Transactional Data Reporting (TDR) mandatory for the entire Multiple Award Schedule. All contractors whose contracts are not a part of TDR will have to accept an additional “Participate in TDR” Mass Mod within 90 days. The TDR Mod will be considered effective starting on the first day of the next traditional sales reporting quarter.
In addition to TDR, Refresh #31 also expands access of the Order Level Materials (OLM) SIN to all contracts. A one-time Mass Mod will be issued to all contracts that do not have the OLM SIN, allowing them to add the SIN. This move comes as the GSA pivots to prioritize Order-Level Materials as the primary way to obtain open market items through MAS, aligning with the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). Contractors are strongly advised to accept the Mass Mod adding the OLM SIN, as this will be your only chance to add it to your contract. This means that some contractors will need to accept three separate Mass Mods once Refresh 31 is released—one to accept the refresh, one to participate in TDR, and one to add the OLM SIN. For more information on Refresh #31 and the transition to TDR, check out our blog.
The Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) has issued a pre-solicitation under NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)) to identify qualified parties to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions for strategic military land management challenges. Qualified parties will provide integrated systems based on any combination of materials engineering processes, and resource management devices, methods, tools, or models based on scientific principles. ESTCP focuses on deploying cost effective and scalable solutions that ensure operational effectiveness, improve warfighter capabilities, and reduce regulatory burdens through promising innovative technologies. Interested parties must submit a proposal in accordance with the instructions on the ESTCP website by April 24, 2026. Additional information is available under Notice ID W912HQ26S0031.
Lithium Battery Abusive Testing Capabilities
The Department of Defense has released a sources sought under NAICS Code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)) to identify vendors with robust testing capabilities to evaluate the performance of lithium batteries under thermal, mechanical, and electrical abusive conditions. Qualified vendors will have capabilities available for the abusive testing of lithium batteries including cell, module, and battery propagation testing, as well as heat release rate, gas analysis, and environmental testing. Interested vendors must provide information on capabilities in testing environment, testing services, and test capacity by May 13, 2026. Additional information and submission requirements are available under Notice ID N0016426SNB45.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Major changes are coming to the Startup Springboard Program as part of GSA MAS Solicitation Refresh #31. Here are some FAQs about these updates:
Q: What is the Startup Springboard Program?
A: The GSA Startup Springboard Program is an alternative way to submit a MAS contract application that allows new businesses an increased opportunity to get on Schedule. The differences between a standard Schedule application and one under the Startup Springboard Program include the following:
The requirement to submit the past two years of financial information is waived.
For services, companies under the Springboard Program can utilize the past experience of key personnel to substantiate a proven capability in a service area.
The requirement to submit three customer references is waived.
Q: Who is Eligible to Participate?
A: Currently, any business with under two years of corporate experience can submit a Schedule application under the Startup Springboard Program. However, this is set to change in the upcoming Solicitation Refresh. Refresh #31 will restrict eligible participants to only IT companies who would meet the GSA FASt Lane requirements. More about that program can be found here.
Q: When Will the Eligibility Requirements Change?
A: Refresh #31 was originally scheduled to release late February 2026, but is now anticipated in March or April 2026. Once it does, the new eligibility requirements will be immediately in effect. However, with the lead time it typically takes for GSA to review and award a Schedule offer, these requirements are practically already in effect.
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