Do you know the basic requirements for getting on a GSA Schedule?
A GSA Schedule proposal can be an excruciating process for some companies;
So what we have done here is to put together in an easy to understand format, a short list of requirements vendors will need to complete in order to apply for a GSA Schedule.
*Submit an offer
A GSA schedule is essentially a national account agreement to sell your products and/or services at pre-negotiated prices, along with specific terms and conditions. To become a GSA Schedule contractor, a vendor must first submit an offer in response to the applicable GSA Schedule solicitation and must also be in business at least two years.
* Register in SAM (System for Award Management)
The primary registrant database for the U.S. Federal Government is SAM (System for Award Management). Sam collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions. Prospective vendors must be registered in SAM prior to the award of a contract; any basic agreement, or blanket purchase agreement according to FAR 4.11. FAR 52.204-7 states that to register in SAM, a firm must also have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.
* Obtain a DUNS Number (Data Universal Numbering System)
A Duns number is a unique nine character identification number provided by Dun and Bradstreet which enhances the credibility of your business in the marketplace. It enables potential customers, suppliers and lenders to easily identify and learn about your company and is required in order to register for SAM.
* Many schedules require customer Past Performance Evaluations by Open Ratings (D&B)
Open Ratings verifies companies past performance thereby assisting them secure contracts with large purchasing organizations such as the General Services Administration (GSA). Open Ratings, a Dun and Bradstreet Company, conducts an independent audit of customer references and calculates a rating based upon a statistical analysis of various performance data and survey responses.
*The Federal Government needs to be your most-favored customer / provide standard commercial sales practices
By comparing the prices and discounts that a company offers the government with the prices and discounts that the company offers to commercial customers, Contracting Officers determine whether prices are fair and reasonable. This determining objective is commonly known as “most favored customer” pricing. GSA requires offerors to furnish commercial price-lists and disclose information regarding their pricing/discounting practices in order to make this comparison.
*Products need to be trade compliant. The Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq.)
The Trade Agreements Act is the enabling statute that implements numerous multilateral and bilateral international trade agreements and other trade initiatives. Vendors should make sure that all items offered are compliant with the Trade Agreements Act. In accordance with the TAA, only U.S.-made or designated country end products shall be offered and sold under Schedule contracts.
For answers to additional questions about “How to recession-proof your business”, or questions regarding GSA Schedule related issues, please contact us at admin@scheduleservices.net or 336-887-1328.
