**Marketing your Mission Oriented Business Integrated Services (MOBIS)
Contract**

**Frequently Asked Questions**

**Check it out! Download FAS's first contractor- specific publication to
offer tips for making the most of your schedule contract. Go to
<http://vsc.gsa.gov/> and download, "The Steps to Success, How to Be a
Successful Contractor".**

[Who does our marketing?](#faq_1)

[Where can I download GSA logos; learn more about my schedule contract
and GSA sponsored events/training opportunities?](#FAQ_2)

[How do federal agencies use MOBIS?](#FAQ_3)

[What about Section 803?](#FAQ_4)

[How do I research existing MOBIS sales and task orders?](#FAQ_5)

[How do I find out which federal agencies require MOBIS-related
services?](#FAQ_6)

[What resources are available to assist MOBIS contractors who are small
businesses?](#FAQ_7)

[How can I compete for MOBIS task orders?](#FAQ_8)

[How will my company know when an agency posts an RFQ on e-Buy?](#FAQ_9)

[How do I get my information on GSA Advantage!?](#FAQ_10)

[]{#faq_1 .anchor}**Question: Who does our marketing?**

Answer: MOBIS contractors perform their own marketing and sales
promotions. GSA promotes the value of the Federal Acquisition Service
Schedule's Program as a streamlined procurement vehicle to acquire
professional services.

[]{#FAQ_2 .anchor}**Question: Where can I download GSA logos; learn more
about my schedule contract and GSA sponsored events/training
opportunities?**

Answer: Go to [www.gsa.gov](http://www.gsa.gov/) and do a search on
"Marketing Partnership". In addition to the above, you will find
detailed specifications for preparing MarkeTips advertisements.
MarkeTips is a bi-monthly publication that is distributed to federal
agencies. Advertising space in MarkeTips is free of charge, and is
offered on a first come, first served basis. Because of limited ad
space, vendors are limited to one ad.

[]{#FAQ_3 .anchor}**Question: How do federal agencies use MOBIS?**

Answer: Civilian agencies distribute a Request for Quote (RFQ) to a
minimum of three (3) MOBIS contractors. An RFQ typically includes
instructions; evaluation criteria and a performance based Statement of
Work (SOW). The SOW communicates what work will be performed, period and
place of performance, deliverable schedules, applicable standards,
special requirements (security clearances, travel), etc. After the RFQ
closes, the ordering office evaluates the quotes received, makes a best
value decision and issues a task order.

[]{#FAQ_4 .anchor}**Question: What about Section 803?**

Answer: The Department of Defense (DOD) has implemented new rules for
ordering services over \$100,000 under multiple award contracts. The
rules are derived from Section 803 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for 2002.

Section 803 requires the DOD to contact many more sources than Federal
Supply Schedule (FSS) policy currently states. FSS policy requires that
contracting officers (CO) contact at least three schedule holders
capable of performing the work. Section 803 requires the CO to contact
as many schedule holders as practicable in order to ensure that at least
three responses are received. The rule further states that the CO is in
compliance with 803 when they contact all schedule holders that offer
the required work, thereby informing them of the opportunity for award.
If three responses are not received, the CO must determine that no
additional qualified contractors could be identified despite reasonable
efforts to do so.

Good market research is the key to ensuring all practicable offerors
have been extended a fair opportunity to participate in the acquisition.
However, Section 803 does recognize the following exceptions to fair
opportunity:

1\. Unusual urgency

2\. Only one source can respond due to the unique or specialized nature
of the work

3\. New work is logical follow-on under the same contract

4\. Must be placed to satisfy a minimum guarantee

[]{#FAQ_5 .anchor}**Question: How do I research existing MOBIS sales and
task orders?**

Answer: You can find a significant amount of information on-line. To
learn about sales reported by other MOBIS contractors, go to
<http://vsc.gsa.gov/> and click on the "Schedule Sales Query" hyperlink.
Just follow the on-line instructions to generate various reports.

You can also use the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) to research
existing MOBIS task orders. Go to [Other Reports and Queries (Geographic
Search, Product/Service Search, Contractor Search,
etc)](http://www.fpdc.gov/fpdc/agency_reports.htm) to generate various
reports. (www.fpdc.gov)

[]{#FAQ_6 .anchor}**Question: How do I find out which federal agencies
require MOBIS-related services?**

Answer: You should monitor the FedBizOpps website at
[www.fedbizopps.gov](http://www.fedbizopps.gov/). This website
advertises federal procurement opportunities that have been posted by a
wide variety of federal agencies. You can sign up to receive email
notification when opportunities are posted by particular organizations
or when an opportunity is classified under a particular product/service
code. (Most MOBIS-related opportunities can be found under
product/service code "R".) Be alert for Requests for Information and
Sources Sought. These documents are posted during the early stages of
the acquisition process and represent the best opportunities for you.

The FedBizOpps website offers information on both current and forecasted
opportunities. If you go to the FedBizOpps home page and click on
"Federal Agencies Business Forecast", it will lead you to a selection of
agency sponsored websites that offer information on future procurement
opportunities.

[]{#FAQ_7 .anchor}**Question: What resources are available to assist
MOBIS contractors who are small businesses?**

Answer: The SBA maintains Pro-Net, which is an online database that
captures information about more than 195,000 small businesses. It is
searchable and used by both prime contractors looking for subcontractors
and federal contracting officers conducting market research.
Participation is free and your information can be submitted on-line. To
get started, go to Pro-Net at
[www.pro-net.sba.gov](http://www.pro-net.sba.gov/).

GSA provides assistance to small businesses interested in doing business
with the federal government. Go to [www.gsa.gov](http://www.gsa.gov/)
and do a search on "increasing opportunities for small business".

Here are links to other organizations that provide assistance to small
businesses.

[WomenBiz.gov](http://www.womenbiz.gov/) is the gateway for women doing
business with the federal government.

[National Association of Women Business Owners](http://www.nawbo.org/)
provides support and resources to help women grow their business and
enrich their lives.

[Center for Women\'s Business Research](http://www.nfwbo.org/), founded
as the National Foundation for Women Business Owners, is the premier
source of knowledge about women business owners and their enterprises
worldwide.

[Women\'s Business Enterprise National Council](http://www.wbenc.org/)
was created in 1997 to enhancing opportunities for women\'s business
enterprises in America\'s major business markets.

[Center for Veterans Enterprise](http://www.vetbiz.gov/) is a link to
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs\' online Center for Veterans
Enterprise. It provides advice and resources for veterans seeking
federal assistance for their small businesses.

[The Veterans Corporation,](http://www.veteranscorp.org/) a complete
business e-portal for Veteran business owners and for those interested
in working with Veteran-owned businesses. The Veterans Corporation
offers Veteran entrepreneurs access to capital, training, markets,
services and networking.

[Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA),](http://www.mbda.gov/) a
part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers assistance to
minority-owned businesses of any size. MBDA is committed to empowering
minority business enterprises for the purpose of wealth creation in
minority communities.

[National Minority Supplier Development
Council,](http://www.nmsdcus.org/) one of the leading U.S. business
membership organizations, was chartered in 1972 to increase procurement
and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes.

Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) are also happy to assist
small businesses identify and pursue Federal procurement opportunities.
Go to <http://www.sellingtothegovernment.net/ptac_map.asp#WA> to learn
more about what your local PTAC can do for you.

[]{#FAQ_8 .anchor}**Question: How can I compete for MOBIS task orders?**

Answer: Your ability to compete will depend on how well you market your
company as a MOBIS contractor. A key element is your company website,
which plays a vital role when Federal agencies conduct market research.
We suggest that your website include detailed information on the
MOBIS-related services you offer, MOBIS success stories, MOBIS ordering
procedures and your approved pricing structure.

In addition, your MOBIS contract requires your participation in GSA
Advantage! You can [choose]{.underline} to just meet the requirement or
you can [choose]{.underline} to structure your GSA Advantage! page to
create a competitive advantage. Many Federal agencies use GSA Advantage!
to conduct market research using keywords that describe their
requirement and only the text housed within the GSA Advantage! website
is searchable. We suggest that you maximize your visibility within GSA
Advantage by ensuring your input includes descriptive keywords that
highlight your MOBIS-related capabilities.

We also suggest that you monitor e-Buy, which is a web-based RFQ tool
designed to facilitate the RFQ process for contractors who are on GSA
Advantage! Only those contractors who have successfully submitted their
catalogs for inclusion in GSA Advantage! will have an opportunity to
quote on e-Buy RFQs. For additional information, please go to
<http://www.ebuy.gsa.gov/>.

[]{#FAQ_9 .anchor}**Question: How will my company know when an agency
posts an RFQ on e-Buy?**

Answer: When an agency posts an RFQ they also indicate who should
receive that RFQ. These contractors are notified via email. The default
email is your Contract Administrator. You may add recipients by visiting
the Vendor Support Center at
[http://vsc.fss.gsa.gov](http://vsc.fss.gsa.gov/), just click on the GSA
Advantage! e-Buy hyperlink and select "Profile Update".

Please note: We suggest that you monitor the e-Buy website on a daily
basis as you can respond to any RFQ posted on e-Buy, even if you weren't
notified via email.

[]{#FAQ_10 .anchor}**Question: How do I get my information on GSA
Advantage!?**

Answer: Download the Schedules Input Program (SIP) software from the
following website: [http://vsc.fss.gsa.gov](http://vsc.fss.gsa.gov/). As
a service-oriented contractor, please complete the contract and
contractor modules. You are not required to complete the products
module. However, please verify that your input mirrors your official
contract. If you would like to change contractual information you must
first submit a contract modification request to your GSA contracting
officer. Note: this applies to changing telephone numbers, email
addresses and/or website links as well. Only [after]{.underline} your
contract has been modified can you update GSA Advantage!

The final step is to complete a text file. This file should include your
authorized price list (see I-FSS-600 in your solicitation), labor
category descriptions/pricing and a detailed description of the services
you are authorized to provide under the MOBIS Schedule. If you would
like to schedule a one-on-one training session, you may sign up for a
two hour training session at
[http://vsc.fss.gsa.gov](http://vsc.fss.gsa.gov/).

We suggest that you bookmark the Vendor Support Center (VSC) website, as
you will return to this website to review RFQ's posted by Federal
agencies on e-Buy, report your quarterly MOBIS sales, troubleshoot SIP
file processing issues and keep up to date with initiatives that affect
Schedule contractors.