GSA Contracts, also referred to as Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) and Federal Supply Schedules, are contracts within the government with commercial firms. Through GSA IT schedule 70, these “Government Contractors” can sell more than their products and services at pre-negotiated prices. They can directly access buyers and opportunities in federal, state, and local government. The process to get into the GSA IT schedule 70 program is complicated and difficult. GSA Focus is here to help, with comprehensive services at an affordable rate.
Schedule 70 is also known as an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) multiple award schedule. This schedule provides access to products, services, and solutions from over 5,000 certified industry partners directly. The partners within the IT Schedule 70 are trusted by federal, state, and local governments to provide the best prices and solutions in the market.
The General Services Administration established the IT Schedule 70 as a streamlined channel for federal agencies to purchase Information Technology. It is the most significant and most popularly used means of acquiring in the federal government, with over $20 billion going through every year.
What Does the Schedule 70 Contract Mean for You?
To get the Schedule 70 contract, you would need to apply and get approval. You must also remember that having the agreement does not guarantee you business with the government. Just as you market to your local consumers, you would also need to sell to these federal, state, and local government agencies. However, the GSA IT Schedule 70 Contract does open up an opportunity for you with the government to market your products or services.
Getting Started: Things to Know
Your Schedule Contract also called a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), would need to be managed and marketed as you would when pushing your products or services to commercial customers. You will also need to do the same with government agencies to win these federal opportunities. As with every other market, you will need to carry out proper research of the federal market to discover how to reach your target market best and understand their buying patterns.
Getting Ready
Before submitting an offer to become a Multiple Award Schedule contractor, there are a few steps you must take.
- Training: There are two training sessions that you must complete to help you fully understand the GSA Schedule Program. The first is called Pathways to Success, and the second is a Readiness Assessment. Both training sessions are free and web-based. The Pathways to Success training will teach you:
- How GSA Schedule contracts work
- About succeeding as a partner
- To-do on how to be awarded and administered a schedule contract
- Details about the offer process
- And much more.
On the other hand, the Readiness Assessment training will prepare you adequately to submit an offer in the right GSA category. You will also be able to identify the right Special Item Numbers (SINs) that apply to your offerings.
- Register: To be able to submit your offer, you need to register your company in several places. Each registration has a purpose; hence, it will be best not to skip out on any. They are:
- Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number. This number is a unique code that helps to identify your business.
- System for Award Management (SAM): An active registration in SAM will enable you to transact business with the government. However, you require a DUNS number before you can register in SAM.
- Digital Certificate (IdenTrust): Because the entire offer process is digital, this is required to sign and submit your offer. It also helps to verify your identity when you complete an offer. The digital certificate keeps your information secure and inaccessible to others. Various private companies can help you with getting a digital certificate.
Understanding the Solicitation: Understanding the basic requirements of the schedule is a prerequisite for pursuing a GSA Schedule contract. You must be able to identify what broad categories, subcategories, and SINs your products or services come under.
Putting Your GSA IT Schedule 70 Offer Together
Putting your offer together is as delicate a process as registering. It is a complicated and confusing process that would take effort and time. This portion requires that you put together documents about your company’s financial situation, products, or services you offer, experience level, and business dealings. This process comes with forms which you will fill and also other information which you will provide. The forms you would need to fill are:
- Letter of Supply
- Agent Authorization Letter
- Price Proposal
- Sample Labor Category Matrix
The information you are to provide include:
- Technical proposal
- Financial Statements
- Commercial Pricelist
- Commercial Sales Practice-1
- And much more.
In this process, you must ensure that every piece of information you provide is correct, as giving the wrong information may lead to disqualification and may affect your future trials to secure a Schedule Contract.
Upload & Submit IT Schedule 70 Offer
The digital system, eOffer, is what you will utilize while completing your information and finally submitting your completed offer. This system is specific in its requirements for entering data. However, you can save your process and come back to it at a later time. No one can access your data until you make your final submission.
Your offer will be reviewed by a representative who will ensure your company can deliver the products or services you plan to offer, and that your offer is at the best price.
Finally, if you receive an Multiple Award Schedule Contract in the IT Category, you can market and, subsequently, sell your products or services to a large number of federal, state, and local government agencies. Keep in mind that having a GSA Schedule 70 Contract is not a guarantee of sales. You still need to do the job of marketing your products or services.
Summary
IT Schedule 70 is an excellent avenue for agencies to buy innovative IT products and services from vendors., However, having the Schedule 70 contract does not guarantee your business with government agencies. You are merely offering these agencies the products or services you already provide your commercial customers.
Getting a GSA IT Schedule 70 is one that can impact your business positively in more ways than one. By following the carefully laid down procedures and providing the right information at every point, you are one step closer to getting a GSA IT Schedule 70 contract. However, the process is complicated and difficult. GSA Focus is here to help, with comprehensive services at an affordable rate.
