GSA Offer Preparations & Submission
The General Services Administration (GSA)
GSA Schedules (also referred to as Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) and Federal Supply Schedules) are long-term government-wide contracts with commercial firms providing federal, state, and local government buyers. The General Services Administration (GSA) offers GSA schedules.
The GSA Multiple Award Schedule Program, also referred to as the schedules, is the premier contract vehicle for the federal government. Many federal agencies use GSA contract vehicles to procure goods and services. The Schedule Program is a long term government-wide contract between commercial suppliers and the federal government.
Second Step
Getting GSA Contract
To be considered for a Schedule contract, you’ll need to provide accurate and complete information that describes your company, experience, and commercial products and services. A GSA Offer Package consists of 30-35 documents depending upon the category you apply, some are straightforward documents like proposal price list, summary of offer, commercial sales practices, employee handbook etc.,.
There are also many supplemental documents that must be gathered and prepared like tax returns, revenue statement, previous contracts and invoices, etc. Then there are complex documents that take time and experience to prepare, like Technical Proposal write-ups, marketing strategy, business plan. Here are a few details that will give you a snapshot of the preparation process to get a GSA Contract.
Factors/Sections
Assembling your offer for a Schedule contract is a multi-step process that will require work and time. You’ll need to gather and fill out documents about your company’s finances, experience, products and services offered, and your company’s business dealings. The bulk of the work goes into preparing the technical details of your company to the GSA in the way they require.
GSA Offer Submission
The GSA uses a web based application to receive offers. All documents must be uploaded on their submission system, eOffer. Digital certificate is required to access eOffer. The GSA eOffer allows the user to submit information related to Company , labor categories, technical proposal, terms of conditions, price list, subcontracting plan and more. All information entered must completely match with the information in the document package, or the GSA offer may be rejected.
Digital Certificate
Digital certificates are required for Information security and identity validation. This is to ensure that the authorized person is submitting the offer and modifications. The GSA has mandated that a person from within the company must have a Digital Certificate. This allows access to the GSA’s e-offer system, where modifications to GSA contracts are submitted. Digital certificates are issued by third part vendors like Identrust. You can use a soft digital certificate or a hardware based digital certificate.
