# Presentation: 222539

## IT Solutions for Government Agencies:        IT Schedule 70www.gsa.gov/itcenter

- IT Solutions for Government Agencies:        IT Schedule 70www.gsa.gov/itcenter

**February 6, 2007**

## Agenda

**GSA Overview **
**IT Schedule 70**
**Ordering Procedures**
**Acquisition Excellence**
**Schedule 70 Testimonials**
**GSA e-Tools**
**Getting on Schedule **
**Points of Contact**
**Q & A**

**Notes:**
Snap shot – 50,00 foot perspective

Specific information on Sch. 70 & use

Important initiatives at GSA

Ways you can use online tools to help you right now!

IT Schedule 70 Sales Trend. 
Small Business figures.
Traditional Procurement Method
Cover what the IT Schedule-70 is and what its advantages are
Simplified Acquisition, Request for Quotes, Acquiring Services using Schedules, 
And Lastly:
Testimonials of Schedule use 
 GSA Web-Site Features
 How to Contact members of the IT Acquisition Center’s Business Management Division.

## GSA Overview

**Two Parts of GSA **
**Public Building Service (PBS)**
**Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)**
**Formerly the FSS and the FTS**
**Integrated Technology Service (ITS)**
**Network Services**
**Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs)**
**Strategic Solutions**
**GSA IT Schedule 70 **

**Notes:**
Top Down Perspective

Ask audience about familiarity with GSA.
Before there were 3 parts of GSA:
PBS
FSS
FTS
There are actually 2 parts to GSA [briefly describe each]
PBS
FAS

##  Integrated Technology Services (ITS)

| Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) 
 | Delivering a wide range of IT hardware and software integration services and turnkey system solutions, as well as supporting compliance with acquisitions mandates via:
   ANSWER            8(a)STARS      Alliant
   Millennia              HUB Zone       Alliant-Small Business      
   Millennia Lite       VETS  |
| --- | --- |
| Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)
Group 70  | Providing customer agencies with direct access to commercial IT hardware and software and IT Professional Services available from over 5,000 established contracts.  |
| Network Services | Delivering comprehensive “state of the art” all-distance network services and solutions including: 
 IP/MPLS Triple Play: Converged voice/data/video offerings, fixed or mobile
 Turn-key Enterprise Network Solutions, from engineering through operations
 Managed Network and Security Services 
 Support for transition to IPv6 |
| Strategic Solutions | Managed service support for HSPD-12 identity card compliance
SMARTBuy software acquisition services with optimal pricing,
  terms and conditions
E-Authentication technical architecture and online identity
  verification services |

**For more information, visit www.gsa.gov/its.**

## FAS Acquisition Centers

**   ****Furniture**
**    ****Center**

**Office of ITS**
**(Sch. 70)**
**Services **
**Acquisition**
**Center**

**--GSA Center for Facilities Maintenance and Hardware**
**--****Small Business GWAC**
**   ****Center**

**                   ****--General Products **
-                       (National Disaster Support)
**                   ****--****IT GWAC Center**

**Management Services Center**

**Office Supplies &**
**Administrative Services**

**Enterprise GWAC Center**

**Notes:**
Eight Acquisition Centers and 3 GWAC centers

## IT Schedule 70 

**Notes:**
Now to get down to business.....

## Schedule 70 Sales Trend

**4.0**

**Over 5,200 Contracts**

**16.9**

**17.3**

**16.8**

**13**

**14.9**

**Notes:**
GSA Schedule 70 sales trend
Saw tremendous growth through 2004.  Lots of acquisition changes in 2005 and we saw a slight decrease in sales, but in 2006 we soared back.

## Top 10 Agencies 

**General Services Administration**_[ ](http://apps.fss.gsa.gov/bars/generateReport.cfm?ag_id=47&reptype=agency&submit=yes&fy=2002&qrt=All)_
**Department of Air Force**
**Department of Army**_[ ](http://apps.fss.gsa.gov/bars/generateReport.cfm?ag_id=21&reptype=agency&submit=yes&fy=2002&qrt=All)_
**Office of Secretary of Defense**
**Department of Navy**_[ ](http://apps.fss.gsa.gov/bars/generateReport.cfm?ag_id=97&reptype=agency&submit=yes&fy=2002&qrt=All)_
**Department of Interior**
**Health and Human Services**
**Department of Veteran Affairs**_[ ](http://apps.fss.gsa.gov/bars/generateReport.cfm?ag_id=36&reptype=agency&submit=yes&fy=2002&qrt=All)_
**Department of Homeland Security**
**Department of Justice**

**Notes:**
Largest customer is ourselves....ask why that is?

FTS uses our contracts in their assisted services procurements.
Shows that GSA believes in it’s contracting vehicles!

DoD is also a largest customer outside GSA.

## What is the IT Schedule 70 Program?

- Optional contracting vehicle agencies can choose as a solution to meet for   procurement needs.
- Ordering agency selects products/services based on   best value to the end user
- Contractors offer products/services that meet definition      of commercial item per FAR Part 12

**Notes:**
We like to call it another tool in you tool box.

Ask if anyone has used Sch. 70. – if yes ask if they would be willing to share about their experience.

Schedule-70 is a Multiple Award Schedule:
Schedule-70 is a listing of contracts awarded by our IT Acquisition Center (currently 5000 contracts, with over 1⁄2 million products and services)

Offers are solicited from prospective IT businesses
Offers can be submitted at any time – called standing solicitation
Standing solicitations are refreshed and updated as contract terms and conditions change 
Schedule contractors can request a modification to their contract to add services or products at any time.(Latest and greatest Dell laptop—GSA schedules are NOT a dumping ground for obsolete equipment).

All sch. Items are commercial items

## Traditional Procurement Methods

**   **

- Formal Solicitation
**Process/Synopsize procurement**
**Average of 268 days**
- High Administrative Costs
- Increased Chance of Protest

**Notes:**
First ask: if anyone has ever posted on FedBizOpps?
Avg. time to go through formal process is 268 days.....with the sch. program that process can be achieved in less than 15 days!

Format of Solicitation for Commercial Items (FAR 12.303)
SF 1449, Solicitation for Commercial Items
Contract clauses (FAR 52.212)
Any contract documents, exhibits, or attachments
Solicitation provisions (Instructions to offerors, Evaluation Factors for Award, Offeror representations and Certifications)

Contract actions exceeding $25,000 must be synopsized in FedBiz Opps (www.fedbizopps.gov)

Administrative Costs are very high: Initiation of Work and Contract Modifications, Quality Assurance, Payment and Accounting, Special Terms, Contract Termination

Protests (a four-letter word): Objection to the solicitation, objection to the cancellation of a solicitation, objection of award.

GSA will save time, effort, manpower, and money......all things no ones has a lot of these days.

## GSA Government-wide Acquisition Contracts 

**GWACS**
- 8(a) STARS
- Alliant
- Alliant SB
- ANSWER
- HUBZone
- Millennia
- Millennia Lite
- VETS

**For more information:**
**www.gsa.gov/gwacs**

**Notes:**
All revolve around IT – may be familiar with some already

GWACs have slightly different acquisition rules:
  You Must have delegated authority.
  Closed solicitation process
For more information see website and POCs for experts on GWACs
www.gsa.gov/gwac

## Customer-Managed Acquisition (Non-Assisted Services)

- For large and small purchases by agencies that are self-sufficient in technical and contracting expertise
- Government customer deals directly with the contractors
**Contractors are FAR compliant**
- Acquisition Professionals are available to provide a flexible range of contract and procedural support
- Contract vehicles available thru GSA:
**Multiple Award Schedule contracts**
**Government Wide Acquisition Contracts**

**Notes:**
Schedules Program is “customer-managed”

Great for a contracting shop that may have a lot of work to accomplish, offices that are stretched very thin, or immediate needs that must be filled.  There is no middle man with schedules.

We have CSDs [describe who/where located], Business Unit staff [us], and COs on staff to assist with questions and offer training.

## GSA-Managed Acquisition (Assisted Services)

- Agencies may delegate some or all of the elements of acquisition process
- May outsource the entire project for turnkey solution
- GSA can provide support in the following areas:
**Technical**
**Acquisition**
**Program and financial management**
- Project managers can:
**Define requirements**
**Perform market surveys**
**Develop acquisition strategies**
**Run technical evaluation boards**
**Evaluate “Best Value”**
**Manage project post-award**
- Fee for service may be applicable

**Notes:**
FTS managed side of the house—can do IT projects as well as Professional Services.

Fee-for-serviced based program.  Fee is dependant on level of effort requested/required.

There are local FTS reps around the country that are experts in assisted services. 

## IT Schedule 70 Advantages

- Option of easy online ordering
- Volume discounts and spot reductions
- Easy payment options(Government-wide purchase card)
- Flexible options: BPAs save time and money

**Notes:**
Let’s answer the “So What?” questions....why is this program so useful to customers.

GSA Advantage [like our version of amazon.com] and E-Buy (online electronic request-for-quote system), 803 compliant

The GSA price list is a starting point - ceilings!  You can always ask for spot reductions or volume discounts. [provide a for instance]

**Take poll of audience and purchase card holders**
All buys under $2500 (micro-purchase threshold)– Schedule contractors must accept purchase cards.
BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement):  Can set them up
Great for filling anticipated repetitive needs (like boxes of copier paper...how much do you go through in a year?  Hard to say, but you know you will have a need for it)[fulfill spirit of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act--Gov’t that works better and costs less]
Contractor and Agency enter agreement, often with discount pricing.
Review the BPA annually.

Quick Delivery of what you ordered (“expedited delivery” -2 days)

## No synopsis requirements on FedBizOpps, therefore eliminates need for agency to write own RFP
All FAR and competition requirements have been met
Prices determined fair & reasonable (most-favored customer discounts)
Reduced procurement lead-time(less paperwork & documentation)

- No synopsis requirements on FedBizOpps, therefore eliminates need for agency to write own RFP
- All FAR and competition requirements have been met
- Prices determined fair & reasonable (most-favored customer discounts)
- Reduced procurement lead-time(less paperwork & documentation)

- IT Schedule 70 Advantages

**Notes:**
Peace of Mind!

When you use the GSA Schedule programs, you can be assured that you will be in compliance with all applicable regulations and competition requirements including the Competition in Contracting Act
You don’t have to seek further competition outside of schedules
No need for separate determinations of fair and reasonable pricing.

Prices Fair and Reasonable:
Our contracting professionals have already negotiated all terms and conditions. 

**Ask Audience: “What are the time savings?”:

Ask if anyone remembers how long we said traditional procurements take?

268 days to put a contract in place by the Federal Gov’t ...
Less than 15 days to order from Schedule 70

## Access to state-of-the-art technology and quality services
Direct relationship with contractors
Customized Solutions (contractor teaming)
No additional administrative fees or “value-added” fees 

- Access to state-of-the-art technology and quality services
- Direct relationship with contractors
- Customized Solutions (contractor teaming)
- No additional administrative fees or “value-added” fees

- IT Schedule 70 Advantages

**Notes:**
Requests for modifications (the newest products and services) can be added anytime. This assures that the vendor is offering the “latest and greatest”, and customer has access to them.

Control – The schedule program establishes a direct relationship between the ordering agency and the service provider.  Once GSA establishes the schedule contracts, we are no longer involved in the procurement process unless you need assistance.  That is the benefit of the schedules program. GSA can be involved as little or as much as you like.

The IT Center get involved if things are going well, or not going well (contact contracting officer).

“Total Solutions” - Teaming Arrangements:
Covered under FAR 9.6
Subject to terms and conditions of the Schedules contract
Participation limited to Schedule contractors

No hidden fees:
Every dollar saved through better purchasing goes directly toward your bottom line of profit and loss, allowing more precious resources to be dedicated to mission related activities.  Ultimately you get to use the most money possible to achieve the mission.  

## Schedule 70 –Special Item Numbers (SINs)

**SIN ****	****Description**
- _132 3__	__Leasing of Product__	__ _
- _132 4__	__Daily/Short Term Rental__	_
- _132 8__	__Purchase of Equipment__	_
- _132 12__	__Maintenance of Equip./Repair_
- _132 32__	__Term Software Licenses__	__ _
- _132 33__	__Perpetual Software Licenses   _

**SIN ****	****Description**
- _132 34__	__Maintenance of Software__	_
- _132 50__	__Training Courses__	__	_
- _132 51__	__IT Professional Services__	__ _
- _132 52__	__E-Commerce Services__	_
- _132 53__	__Wireless Services__	__	_

**SIN ****	****Description**
- _132 60__	__Access Certificates for Electronic Services (ACES) Program _
- _132 61__	__Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Shared Service Provider (SSP) Program_
- _132 62__	__HSPD-12 Product and Service Components_

**Notes:**
Revolve around 3 groups:
Hardware
Software
Services

If a customer amortizes a project it may be better to rent than purchase

## IT Schedule 70 & Small Business

- 80%-85% of all GSA contracts (including IT) are held by small businesses
- Over 40% of schedule sales are with small businesses

**Notes:**
GSA prides itself on its involvement with small businesses.

Every agency has small business/8a goals. Every agency has a person that determines that percentage. 

**Agencies are encouraged to use small business!  Sch. Allow for these goals to be achieved easily!  [especially with our e-tools assistance].

Mention ITIGC here:
Almost 3 yrs old
Comprised of customers/vendors/GSA 
Have dialogs quarterly at mtgs.
Those involved were part of a selection process
4 committees exist that anyone can be involved with.
Notes from each mtg. appear on the ITIGC webpage that is access though the IT Center webpage.  
www.gsa.gov/itigc

## IT Industry Government Council (ITIGC)

- Formed in 2003 – Venue for IT Issues
- Comprised of customers/vendors/GSA
- Conduct dialogs quarterly at meetings
- Made up of 5 committees –
- Cooperative purchasing, Economic Price Adjustment, e-Tools, Teaming and subcontracting, Training, education, and communication
- Meeting notes appear on the ITIGC webpage
- Input is welcome
- www.gsa.gov/itigc

## GSA Schedules Ordering Procedures

**Notes:**
Buying Members: Employee of Executive agency, a Federal agency, mixed-ownership Government corporation, the District of Columbia.  State and local governments.

"mixed-ownership Government corporation" means--
Amtrak. 
(FDIC) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Ordering procedures under schedule differ than open market or other contracting vehicles
Must be a proper contracting official with proper purchasing authority to order off of any contract vehicle and obligate funds to the Government.  That holds true for ordering off of schedule too. 

## Simplified Ordering for Using GSA Schedules According to FAR 8.4

**Simplified Ordering for Using GSA Schedules** *According to FAR 8.4*

**Micro-Purchase Threshold of $3000**
- Select any Schedule Contractor
- Transmit Request for Quote (RFQ) & Statement of Work (SOW)
- Obtain Oral or Written Quotes
- Provide Oral or Written delivery instructions

**Notes:**
Schedule procurements mirror the commercial buying process more than any other type of Federal procurement.  Why spend your valuable time and resources negotiating your own service contracts when GSA/FAS has already done all of the legwork for you.  
When using schedules you need NOT:
Seek further competition outside of the schedules
Synopsize the requirement
Make a separate determination of fair and reasonable pricing

Under $3,000
By simply issuing task orders against existing schedules contracts, your agency will receive fast, direct access to industry leaders.  Avoid the stress of conducting your own procurement.  For orders below $3,000, place the order with the schedule contractor of your choice.    

All schedule 70 vendors are required to accept the Government purchase card for purchases under the micro-purchase threshold.

## How to Acquire IT Products and Services Using GSA Schedules

**Over The  Micro-Purchase Threshold According to FAR 8.4**
**1.****	**Develop A  Performance-Based Statement Of Work (SOW)
**Tasks or requirements**
**Evaluation Criteria**
**Place of Performance**
**Delivery Schedule**
**Travel And Per Diem**
**Supplies And Materials**
**Period of Performance**
**2.**	Include in the statement of work, evaluation criteria to determine “Best Value” offer
**3.**	Send The SOW or RFQ To At Least 3 Contractors

**Notes:**
Performance-Based SOW:
Tell the contractor what you want the end-result to be.

As Government contracting officers and program managers we cannot be experts in every field.  The contractors are experts in their field.  When you write a statement of work, tell the contractor what you need, but don’t tell them how to complete the project and with what tools.  Let them come of with creative solutions that will save the Government time and money.  

Speak on Best Value criteria in a moment.  

Send to a minimum of 3 contractors.  Recommend sending the RFQ to enough contractors that the competition will allow for the best solution and price for the Government
DOD has a separate mandatory requirement...

## 4.	Request Contractors To Submit
Technical Proposal & Price Proposal along with any additional information requested in the SOW
Evaluate Proposals in Accordance with Evaluation Criteria
Determine which offer provides the Best Value
6.    Place Order directly with the Contractor 

**Technical Proposal & Price Proposal along with any additional information requested in the SOW**
- Evaluate Proposals in Accordance with Evaluation Criteria
- Determine which offer provides the Best Value
- 6.    Place Order directly with the Contractor

**How to Acquire IT Products and ****Services Using GSA Schedules**

**Notes:**
Technical and Price proposal.  We have negotiated fair and reasonable pricing, but it is up to the Government customer to determine if the effort/labor mix is fair and reasonable and appropriate for the project.  
Place your order with the contractor of your choice once your determination has been made.

## Section 803- DOD Procedures

- Requires that DOD compete task orders (for services) exceeding $100,000
- DOD contracting officer must receive offers from at least 3 contractors that can fulfill the work
- 	OR
- Determines in writing that no additional qualified contractors were able to be identified
- 	AND
- Provided fair notice/opportunity to all schedule contractors (Posting RFQ on    “E-Buy” fulfills this requirement)

**Notes:**
Applies to DOD only, but more and more agencies are requiring that their contracting offices follow this regulation as well.  

We recommend that Civilian agencies follow these competition rules as well.  

## What is “Best Value”?

- Technical Solution
- Corporate Experience
- Past Performance
- Delivery Date
- Warranty
- Price
- Etc.

**Notes:**
Make sure contractors are aware in the Statement of Work, how exactly and on what components their quotes will be judge.  

If delivery date is extremely important then they contractor will know that spending a little more money to get the product or service to the customer on time is alright.  

## Open Market Items

- For administrative convenience, open market (non-schedule) items may be added to an individual order if:

- The items are clearly labeled “non-schedule” on the order
- All open market acquisition regulations have been followed
- Price reasonableness has been determined by the ordering activity for the open market item

**Notes:**
Can add open market items to a schedule order.  Under $2500 you can add the open market items to the best value awardee, clearly labeled on both the quote and task/delivery order.  

Over $2500.....Must follow rules above.

## Ways GSA Can Help...

- Agency education programs
- www.gsa.gov/centerforacquisitionexcellence
- eBuy and other online tools
- IT Center Customer Service:              703-605-2700
- National Call Center 1-877-472-3777
- Customer Assistance Visits (CAV)

## Center for Acquisition Excellence

- www.gsa.gov/centerforacquisitionexcellence

**Notes:**
GSA Center for Acquisition Excellence

Strive to get best value while keeping compliant with FAR and other agency regulations.

Free online courses offered to vendors and government customers.

## Schedule 70 Testimonials

**“****The use of Schedule 70 allows us the luxury of gaining the benefits of competition in a streamlined environment, critical to a new agency seeking to meet mission critical requirements.  The large number of premier contractors available on Schedule 70 allows us the ability to acquire goods and services from the leaders in the industry at the best value to our agency.”  **
*Daryl Shall**Director of TSA Infrastructure Division*

## Schedule 70 Testimonials

*Brian Hebbel**Director of System Contracts Division       Health Care Financing Administration*

**Schedule 70 Testimonials**

## GSA e-Tools

**GSA Schedules E-Library**

**GSA e-Buy**

**IT Schedule 70**

## www.gsa.gov/itcenter

**Notes:**
IT Center website- the page that represents the Office that manages Schedule 70

Calendar of events link on right—where our center will be exhibiting or presenting

Listing of new initiatives and points of contact on left

Link to IT Industry Government Council on left where notices about meetings are announced and where presentations and meeting minutes are posted.

“IT Center Library” link on left—where this presentation is posted and other documents for customers and vendors.

## www.gsa.gov/schedule70

**Notes:**
Is the ‘program page’ 

Can click through to E-Library

Note the link on the left for the IT Schedule Solicitation.  This page is updated as the Solicitation is refreshed.  This page also has sample documents for filling out the IT Solicitation.

## www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov

**Notes:**
www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov

Guide to search different schedules

Search by contractor #, name, schedule #, manufacturer, special item #, product type, SIN...

New cooperative purchasing symbol.  

## Schedule Contractor Search

## www.gsaadvantage.gov

**Notes:**
GSA Advantage is our online catalog.  

Useful tool for:

Ordering online
Market Research

Currently working on improving the search engine etc. 

Can search for business size/status, contractor name/# etc.

## GSA Advantage Specialty Categories

## www.ebuy.gsa.gov

**Notes:**
e-Buy is designed to facilitate the request for and submission of quotes for commercial products and services offered through the Federal Supply Schedules program. Using the e-Buy system, Federal Purchasers (buyers) may prepare and post an RFQ for specific products and services for a specified period of time. Once posted, schedule contractors (sellers) within the specified SIN category will receive an e-mail notifying them that an RFQ has been posted and a quote is requested. The e-mail also provides instructions to the seller on how to access e-Buy and submit their quote. 
You must sign up to receive the emails or just check e-buy periodically to view the RFQs.  You can view the RFQs relevant to your company’s SINs only!  

Minimum posting of 2 days on e-buy.  Suggest daily checks. Meets section 803.

## www.FedBizOpps.gov

**Notes:**
Over 25K open market purchases must be synopsized on FedBiz Opps

##  www.eoffer.gsa.gov

**Notes:**
New electronic offer website
Must have digital certificate
Able to save information and return at a later date

## Obtain copy of Solicitation from IT Center website:  www.gsa.gov/schedule70solicitation or submit offer via e-offer:  www.eoffer.gsa.gov.
For assistance in meeting the requirements of the schedule Solicitation call 703-605-2700.
Submit offer.  

- For assistance in meeting the requirements of the schedule Solicitation call 703-605-2700.
- Submit offer.

- Getting on Schedule

**Notes:**
Knowledgeable staff at our customer service line that deal with new/current vendor questions everyday.
Also GSA IT Center email address
It.center@gsa.gov

## IT Center Customer Support – Points of Contact

**Customer Support Line: (General Information)**
- 703-605-2700 (M-F 8:00 - 4:30 EST) *Live Voice! *
- Email: _[IT.center@gsa.gov](mailto:IT.center@gsa.gov)__ _
**Customer Service**
- Mitzi Ford	                     703-605-0522
- Bernice Walker	            703-605-1884
- Walter Herald	703-605-5799
**GSA Advantage/e-Buy**
- Antoinette Scott           	703-605-0526
**Small Business Advocate**
- Stephanie Turner	        703-605-2765

## IT Center Customer Support– POC, con’t.

**Marketing & Business Development**
- Shirley Zech			703-605-5762
- Diane Carrington          	703-605-2762
- Gary Cook			703-605-2761
- Thomas Corcoran        	703-605-2764
- Denese Faulkner		703-605-1897
- Karla Galeas			703-605-1863
- Kerry Griffin			978-362-3027
- Antoinette Scott		703-605-0526
- Benjamin Taylor           	703-605-0523
- Stephanie Turner		703-605-2765
- Vince Violandi     		571-259-9919

## Questions & Answers

**THANK YOU **
**FOR ATTENDING!**