We have officially entered federal government Fiscal Year 2025, which means it’s a clean slate for government budgets and the Q4 craziness is finally over. The beginning of a new federal Fiscal Year also means it’s a significant reporting month. October is a sales reporting and subcontracting reporting month (if applicable) for GSA Schedule contractors. If your contract is subject to Commercial Sales Practices (CSP), you will need to report sales for the period of July 1st through September 30th and remit your Industrial Funding Fee (IFF), which is 0.75% of your sales from that quarter. If you are eligible and have opted in to Transactional Data Reporting (TDR), you will be recording your monthly sales for September and your IFF will be due as well. All GSA sales reporting needs to be submitted in the FAS Sales Reporting Portal (SRP) by October 30th.
If you are an “Other than Small” business your subcontracting reporting is also due by October 30th. If you have a Commercial Plan, you will need to submit your Summary Subcontracting Report (SSR) from October 1st, 2023, through September 30th, 2024. Contractors who have an Individual Subcontracting plan will need to submit your Individual Subcontracting Report (ISR) from April 1st, 2024, through September 30th, 2024. You will also need to submit an SSR for the period of October 1st, 2024 through September 30th, 2024. To learn more about reporting, you can check out our blogs on subcontracting plans and sales reporting.
Couldn't make it to last month's webinar? Watch it here on demand. This webinar will take a more in depth look at how to strategically approach setting your GSA contract up for success in the federal marketplace.
GSA will host an Industry Day to discuss the revised draft solicitation for Pool 1 of the Ascend Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). Register now to attend GSA’s Ascend Industry Day to learn more about the changes made since the last Pool 1 draft solicitation, hear from GSA experts about the changes since the last draft solicitation. Register online.
GSA's Office of Small Business Utilization is hosting a webinar for all small businesses looking for additional information and guidance on GSA and their opportunities.The webinar will include an overview of the GSA Multiple Award Schedule Program, Public Buildings Service, Federal Acquisition Service, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts, and more. Register here.
Is your small business ready to get in the cloud/software business with GSA? Attend GSA's virtual event to learn how your cloud/software small business can get on the GSA Schedule. Cloud computing and software acquisition is a major topic for government agencies, and GSA wants to give small businesses the chance to learn how to become one of their Best-in-Class vendors to support various agency needs. Register now.
With recent updates and expanded access to contractors, the Transactional Data Reporting (TDR) program has become a hot topic within the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program. TDR is has benefited many GSA Schedule holders since its introduction in 2016 because it allows for more pricing flexibility and can reduce compliance risk.
Now that more GSA Schedule holders and prospective contractors can now take part in the TDR program, contractors are wondering if it’s the right fit for them over Commercial Sales Practices. In this webinar, we’ll dive into the updates and benefits of TDR so you can make the right decision for your company.
We’ll discuss:
What is Transactional Data Reporting (TDR)?
How does TDR differ from a more traditional GSA Schedule Offer?
New TDR updates and how this affects current GSA Schedule holders
DoD Proposes Rule to Implement CMMC into Contracts
Recently, the Department of Defense (DoD) released a draft rule that would implement the long-awaited Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) into the acquisition process for defense contracts. CMMC applies to contractors in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) who deal with Federal Contract Information (FCI) and/or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). This proposed rule outlines how the Defense Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS) will be amended to implement CMMC. One key part of the proposed rule dictates that contractors must have a current CMMC certificate or self-assessment at the appropriate CMMC level defined or higher at the time of award, which must be maintained throughout the contract’s duration. Subcontractors will also be required to hold the appropriate CMMC level if they handle FCI or CUI.
It’s important to note that this rule is still being drafted, and the DoD is soliciting comments from contractors at osd.dfars@mail.mil, which must be submitted by October 15, 2024. The rule’s finalization date is up in the air, but a three-year roll-out is planned to allow small businesses in particular to have plenty of time to obtain certification. You can read more about this draft rule here.
QUICK TIP
Marketing Tips Heading into FY2025
It’s the start of a new year in the federal government—is your GSA Schedule optimized for this year’s contracting opportunities? We put together some tips for you to consider so you can start FY2025 off strong.
Understand Your Customers and their Budgets: It’s a new year and in the coming months, we will be switching presidents and maybe even parties, which could drive how government money is spent. It’s important you understand the budget and initiatives of your customers so you know where your products/services may fit into their needs this year. You can use sites like USASpending.gov to gather budget and award information.
Make Sure Your GSA Price List and Catalogs are Updated: This is important not only for compliance purposes, but so you’ll be prepared to respond to any opportunity that comes your way. If you need to change your pricing or product/service information, it’s important you submit a modification as soon as you can and then upload your updated price list/catalog through SIP or the FAS Common Catalog Platform once the modification is approved.
Strengthen Your Web Presence: This may seem obvious, but many GSA contractors do not have a page on their website specifically dedicated to government customers. It’s important you have a separate page that outlines all the information they need to know including POCs, contract information, relevant whitepapers/case studies, links to your GSA eLibrary and GSA Advantage! pages, and your capabilities statements.
Request for Information – High Gain Directional Antenna
The United States (US) Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance & Special Operations Forces (ISR & SOF) Directorate, Special Warfare (SW) Program Office (AFLCMC/WISN) is conducting market research under NAICS Code 334220 – Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing to identify possible sources capable of providing a single or multiple high gain directional antennas to extend Line of Site (LOS) distances of currently fielded waveforms on the AN/PRC-163 radios frequency band. Responses are due no later than November 13, 2024. More information can be found under Notice ID: FA8629-24-R-5040.
Sources Sought – Calibration and Repair Services – PNSY
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard seeks to identify sources capable of providing calibration and repair services under NAICS Code 334515 – Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals. This Sources Sought is published for market research purposes only and an actual solicitation may be posted later. Responses are due no later than December 31, 2024. More information can be found under Notice ID: N3904024CALI.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is an RFQ?
A: A Request for Quote (RFQ) is a way for government purchasers to solicit pricing information from potential contractors. RFQs contain information about the requirements of the acquisition, terms and conditions, and any specific additional information contractors need to include. RFQs for services will also include a Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) and the evaluation criteria that will be used to evaluate contractors. RFQs do not constitute a contractual agreement—they are simply a way for government agencies to gather information and assess potential contractors.
Q: How is an RFQ Different from an RFI or RFP?
A: RFQs can be easy to confuse with RFIs and RFPs, the acronyms all start sounding the same if you use them interchangeably. But they all serve their own distinct purpose. RFIs (or Requests for Information) are a market research tool used by government agencies to learn about the ability of contractors to complete a task. While RFIs are not formal solicitations, responses to RFIs often shape the final solicitation. RFPs (Requests for Proposals) are formal requests for government solicitation, and can end in a contractual agreement if an awardee (or multiple awardees) are chosen.
Q: Are RFQs (and RFIs) Just as Important as RFPs?
A: Some contractors may think the best strategy is to hold out on responding to an opportunity until an RFP is released. Not all RFIs and RFQs turn directly into RFPs, so it's important you get your foot in the door when you have the opportunity. In the competitive world of government contracting, even something as simple as name recognition can give you an edge over your competitors. Additionally, responding to the RFQ will allow you to become familiar with the requirements of the acquisition, so if it does end up turning into an RFP down the road, you can make your final response even better.
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