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**Introduction**

> Do you have a furniture or furnishings related product or service to
> sell?  Chances are it is something the General Services Administration
> (GSA) buys.  That\'s because GSA is the business manager and
> purchasing agent for the world\'s largest customer - the U.S.
> Government.  If you are interested in selling your product(s) or
> service(s) to the U.S. Government, the following guide will assist you
> in the process.
>
> One of GSA's most popular programs for supplying products and services
> to Government customers is our Multiple Award Schedule program. GSA
> awards contracts to multiple companies supplying comparable services
> and products. The purpose of Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) is to
> provide a vehicle for any Government Agency to obtain the services of
> contractors with the qualifications, commitment, expertise, and
> experience necessary to assist Government Agencies in their mission.
> In simple terms, the MAS allow agencies to review grouped listings of
> related products and services (i.e. office furniture) and select the
> company that best fits their criteria.

**Solicitations**

In order to be placed on a schedule, you must complete and submit a
solicitation, also known as a proposal. The solicitation is a legal
document outlining the Government's requirements for placing products
and services on the Multiple Award Schedule. A successful proposal
results in a contract where pricing, delivery terms, and other
established contractual requirements have been established.

> Before submitting your solicitation, you will need to complete a
> one-time business registration, with annual updates. The first step in
> the registration process is to obtain a DUNS identification number (if
> you don\'t already have one). The DUNS number is free and can be
> obtained by contacting Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. at (800) 333-0505. Once
> a DUNS number has been obtained, you are ready to register in the CCR
> via the World Wide Web at [http://www.bpn.gov](http://www.bpn.gov/).
> There is a CCR handbook available at this site to assist you with your
> registration. Additionally, if further assistance is needed during the
> registration process, you may contact the CCR Assistance Center toll
> free at 888-227-2423.

**Solicitation Format**

> The solicitation is an approximately 80-150 page legal document. The
> cover pages, which begin on page i, contain information, general
> notices, and notices of changes made to the solicitation since its
> last issuance. They are to be removed prior to submission of the
> solicitation package. The Standard Form 1449 (page 1) follows the
> cover pages. This should be reviewed carefully, completed, signed,
> dated, and returned with the rest of the completed solicitation.

**Step 1: Obtaining a Solicitation**

**Downloading the solicitation:**

1.  Go to the webpage GSA e-Library at www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov

2.  Type in the main product/service that you offer in the search field
    and press Go

3.  Read the description that results and make sure the description is
    accurate for your

> company

4.  If accurate, directly under "Source" in first column, click on the
    red schedule number.

5.  That number should be one of the ten schedule numbers you see in the
    chart below

+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| **   | ***Category***    | ***          | ***GSA Contact  | * |         |
| *Sch |                   | Solicitation | Person***       | * |         |
| edul |                   | Number***    |                 | * |         |
| e*** |                   |              |                 | P |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | h |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | o |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | n |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | e |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | * |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | * |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | * |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 36   | The Office,       | 3FNJ         | Joanne Viola    | \ |         |
|      | Imaging and       | -C1-000001-B |                 | ( |         |
|      | Document Solution |              | Carmel Pizzuti  | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 3 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 9 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 9 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 |   |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ( |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 3 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 9 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 58-I | Professional      | 3FNG         | Robert Gever    | \ |         |
|      | Audio/Visual,     | -RG-020001-B |                 | ( |         |
|      | T                 |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      | elecommunications |              |                 | 1 |         |
|      | and Security      |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      | Solutions         |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 7    | Office Furniture  | 3FNO-        | Glenda Lambert  | \ |         |
| 1-I  |                   | M1-010001-B  |                 | ( |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 3 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 9 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 3 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 7    | Household and     | 3FNH         | Thomas Murray   | \ |         |
| 1-II | Quarters          | -F6-020002-B |                 | ( |         |
|      | Furniture         |              |                 | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 3 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 9 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 7 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
|      |                   |              | Arlene          | ( |         |
|      |                   |              | Fitzpatrick     | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 3 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 9 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 1 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 71-  | Packaged          | 3FNH-        | Arlene          |   | (703)6  |
| II-H | Furniture         | A3-000001-B  | Fitzpatrick     |   | 05-9210 |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
|      |                   |              | Helen           |   | \(703\) |
|      |                   |              | Zivkoviche      |   | 6       |
|      |                   |              |                 |   | 05-9293 |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 71-  | Comprehensive     | 3FNC         | Juanita         | \ |         |
| II-K | Furniture         | -B3-003001-B | Blassingame     | ( |         |
|      | Management        |              |                 | 7 |         |
|      | Services          |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 3 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 9 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 1 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 71   | Special Use       | 3FNH         | Thomas Murray   | \ |         |
| -III | Furniture         | -F6-010003-B |                 | ( |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 3 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 9 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 7 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 71-I | Miscellaneous     | 3FN          | Beth            | \ |         |
| II-E | Security          | G-BA-030001B | Arnold-Messick  | ( |         |
|      | Furniture         |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 1 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 72   | Floor Coverings   | 3FNH         | Jennifer Crouse | ( |         |
| -I-A |                   | -F3-00F002-B |                 | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 3 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 9 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 1 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 7 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 7    | Furnishings       | 3FNG         | Patricia Longo  | \ |         |
| 2-II |                   | -PL-990008-B |                 | ( |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 1 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 1 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+
| 78   | Sports,           | 3FNG-        | Monica Gormley  | \ |         |
|      | Promotional,      | MG-06-0002-N |                 | ( |         |
|      | Outdoor,          |              |                 | 2 |         |
|      | Recreational,     |              |                 | 1 |         |
|      | Trophies, and     |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      | Signs             |              |                 | \ |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | ) |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 4 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 6 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | - |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 5 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 0 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 8 |         |
|      |                   |              |                 | 7 |         |
+------+-------------------+--------------+-----------------+---+---------+

6.  Under solicitation title near the top of the page, click on red
    colored text "View Solicitation on FedBizOpps.gov".

7.  Click on "solicitation 01" and download the solicitation and all
    amendments or related documents

##### *Step 2: Completing the Solicitation*

1.  It is suggested that you carefully read over the solicitation and
    document any questions that you may have. A point of contact is
    provided in each solicitation on page 1, block 7. For your
    convenience a list of contact names for general categories is also
    included on page 1.

2.  **Guidelines for completing the solicitation.** We have compiled
    these guidelines for all offerors, including dealers, based upon
    common mistakes that will delay contract award.

-   Make sure you are completing the latest version of the solicitation.

-   Respond to ALL requirements (complete all blanks, and include all
    additional information requested). The process will be delayed if
    all the requirements are not met. The more complete the offer, the
    less time involved in the clarification/evaluation process.

-   Ensure that the solicitation is administratively complete (all
    signatures are signed and dated, forms are filled out, boxes are
    checked, etc.)

-   An authorized person of the firm must sign all documents.

-   Do not cross anything out or change words/numbers in the
    solicitation.

-   Submit a dated copy of the manufacturer's commercial pricelist(s).
    Write the appropriate special item number (SIN) next to each offered
    item in the price list and catalog/brochure, The proper SIN's can be
    found starting under the heading "Schedule of Items" in the
    solicitation. All products that are not offered shall be crossed out
    and offeror shall initial it. Marking shall be consistent (same SIN)
    between the price list and catalog/brochure/illustrations.

-   Submit illustrated commercial catalog or brochure of the products
    being offered. Line drawings in the price list are generally
    acceptable as an illustration.

-   Complete and submit all required flammability testing documentation.
    This includes flammability testing for all upholstery components,
    e.g. upholstery fabrics, batting, foam.

-   Complete and submit all required performance testing documentation.

3.  **The following documents should be mailed to GSA at the address
    listed on page 1, block 9 of the solicitation:**

-   The completed solicitation (an original and one copy).

-   Two copies of your marked and dated commercial pricelist and
    catalog/brochure containing the products you plan to offer.
    Acceptable forms of pricelists include published/printed, computer
    generated, and internal pricelists.

-   Commercial Sales Practice Format (CSP-1).

-   Additional data, which may include, but is not limited to, a letter
    of supply for the products offered, and documentation to support the
    most favored customer determination.

-   Test documentation as required by the solicitation.

***Step 3: Negotiations***

1.  When the solicitation is received, it will be reviewed for accuracy
    and completeness.

2.  A contract specialist will then contact you to seek clarifications
    and/or additional information in order to prepare for negotiations.

3.  The government's objective in awarding Multiple Award Schedule
    contracts is to obtain an offeror's best discount. The main purpose
    of negotiations is to resolve major differences between the
    offeror's proposal and the government's negotiation objective.

4.  At the conclusion of negotiations, the Contracting Officer will
    request a final proposal revision. The final proposal revision
    confirms the terms and conditions agreed upon between the government
    and the offeror's authorized negotiator.

> ***[Frequently Asked Questions]{.underline}***

1.  **What are the benefits of becoming a GSA Corporate Partner?**

> The major benefits of becoming a GSA Corporate Partner include 1) the
> ability to offer your products/services to all Federal Government; 2)
> your products and/or services advertised electronically to all
> government agencies; and 3) assistance in marketing to the Federal
> agencies.

2.  **How long will it take to be awarded a contract?**

> GSA is entrusted with ensuring the Federal customer receives the best
> products and services at the most advantageous prices. Our goal is to
> award all contracts within 104 days of the initial submission.
> Occasionally, awards are extended beyond the target date, due, in
> general, to our need for additional information from the offeror. We
> encourage all of our potential corporate partners to submit the most
> thorough response to the solicitation as possible. This will prevent
> delays in awarding contracts, and ensure we meet our targets. We are
> available to answer any questions you may have prior to submitting
> your offer.

3.  **What services are available to me as a GSA Corporate Partner?**

> We offer several services to our corporate partners to ensure they
> meet customer's expectations. GSA has established the Quality
> Partnership Council, a working group comprised of government agencies,
> corporate partners, and the National Furniture Center, which work
> together to improve processes and service delivery. This enables our
> corporate partners to better service our federal customers. In
> addition, our corporate partners are able to create awareness for your
> products and services by displaying free advertisements in MarkeTips,
> our bi-monthly publication. MarkeTips is distributed to 110,000
> subscribers worldwide.

4.  **What is GSA *Advantage!®* and am I required to sign-up?**

> YES. All Federal Supply Schedule contract holders have 6 months from
> the date their contract is awarded to submit their data to GSA
> *Advantage!®* GSA *Advantage!®* is an online, electronic ordering
> system that allows ordering activities to search through all GSA
> sources of supply and select the item that is the best value for their
> requirements. GSA *Advantage!®* allows customers to search for the
> products and services they specify using key words. The benefits for
> our corporate partners include the ability to display products and
> services to federal customers easily and effectively. Please ask your
> contracting specialist for more details.

5.  **If I am awarded a contract, where do I find business
    opportunities?**

> Go to the website www.fedbizopps.gov or www.ebuy.gsa.gov for more
> information on current and future federal government business
> opportunities.

6.  **Am I eligible to register with the Small Business Outreach
    Program?**

> While GSA encourages all businesses, regardless of size, to become
> corporate partners, the National Furniture Center places high priority
> on attracting small, disadvantaged, minority, women, veterans, and
> hub-zone located businesses. For more information pertaining to the
> Small Business Outreach Program, please call (703) 605-9239.