The GSA star mark is always presented clearly 

and powerfully, it should never be smaller than 1/2 

inch. The primary color for the GSA star mark is 

PANTONE 541 C (or PANTONE 2945 U). The 

GSA star mark is never printed with the interior 

anything but white in color. In 2-color applications 

where the GSA star mark is not printed “GSA 

Blue” the GSA star mark may be printed as a 70% 

tint of black. For materials printed in a single 

color the GSA star mark should be either 100% 

blue or black.

U.S. General Services Administration

Doing Business 

with GSA

Quick Guide 2013
Doing Business with GSA 3

Small Business Community:

The General Services Administration’s Office of Small Business 

Utilization team would like to introduce you to the 2013 Doing Business 

with GSA Quick Guide.

Each year we look to small businesses like you to determine how we can 

make this publication more useful. In response to your need for less paper 

and more sustainable resources, we have streamlined our 2012 version of 

this publication into an easy-to-read road map. This guide will take you 

through GSA’s electronic resources to find the business opportunities 

available for your company. 

We hope you find it helpful and we wish you much success as you 

continue to partner with our agency.

Jiyoung Park

Associate Administrator

The Office of Small Business Utilization

General Services Administration
Doing Business with GSA 4

Quick Guide Instructions

Three Easy Steps

Step One: The Quick Guide 

is a Road Map.

It’s best to think of the Quick Guide as 

an easy-to-read road map that can guide 

you through the GSA web site to find the 

business opportunities available to your 

company. Like all good road maps, the Quick 

Guide won’t have a lot of words or directions. 

Instead, the Guide will tell you where to find 

more information at the GSA.gov web site. 

Step Two: Charting a Path

On the facing page, the Table of Contents 

provides you with a dozen “opportunity 

gateways” that will lead you to more web 

links where you can find useful information 

on how to do business with GSA. As a 

navigational tool, the Quick Guide will 

allow you to map out your own path to the 

opportunities that await you.

Step Three: Following the Path 

Each opportunity gateway has its own 

page in the booklet. Once you know which 

one(s) to pursue, just jump to the page(s) to 

continue your journey. Then, it’s just a matter 

of going to the GSA.gov web link(s) to find 

the information you need. It’s that simple. 

What to Expect in the Future 

We hope you find the Quick Guide a 

useful resource in your search for new 

opportunities. We will update the Quick Guide

as new web links are developed and become 

available.

Thank you for giving us this opportunity to 

serve you. 

Please Note:

While this booklet provides information 

regarding GSA’s contracting vehicles 

and offers helpful guidance, it should 

not be construed as a replacement of 

applicable procurement regulations and 

policies.
Doing Business with GSA 5

GSA: For Business www.gsa.gov/forbusiness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

GSA SmartPay Charge Cards www.smartpay.gsa.gov. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

GSA Auctions www.gsaauctions.gov. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Federal Travel www.gsa.gov/travelindustry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

GSA Fleet www.gsa.gov/transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

GSA Transportation www.gsa.gov/transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Green Power & Utilities www.gsa.gov/energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Real Property Leasing www.gsa.gov/leasing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contracts www.gsa.gov/idiq. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Telecommunications & Network Services www.gsa.gov/networkservices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Government-wide Acquisition Contracts www.gsa.gov/gwacs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Federal Supply Schedules www.gsa.gov/schedulesolicitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Appendix B: Glossary of Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Appendix C: Obtaining Grants and Other Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

GSA’s 12 Opportunity Gateways

Table of Contents
Doing Business with GSA 6

This opportunity gateway features five 

sections that will lead you to even more 

information on how GSA and our industry 

partners work together for the American 

people. In outline, here is what you’ll find at 

this all-inclusive web page:

Getting Started

► Getting a Government Contract

► Tools for GSA Contractors

► How to Sell to the Government

► Opportunities for Small Businesses

Supported Programs

► 21 Gun Salute

► Ability One

► Green Proving Ground

► GSA Vendor Communication Plan

► Mentor-Protégé

► Sustainability

Where to Find Help

► FAS GSA Schedules

► PBS Industry Relations

► Office of Small Business Utilization

► Office of Citizen Services and 

Innovative Technologies

How GSA Buys

► Overview

► Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)

► Government-wide Acquisition 

Contracts (GWACs)

► Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity 

(IDIQ) Contracts

► Multiple Award Schedules (MAS)

► Single Awards

► Small Business Assistance

► Source Selection

Services that GSA Buys

► Architecture & Engineering

► Design & Construction

► Facilities Maintenance & Management

► Leasing

► Green/Energy

► Information Technology

► Professional and Technical Solutions

► Retail Services

► Childcare

► Realty Services

► Real Estate Services

► Real Property Disposal

► Travel

GSA Opportunities in Construction and a whole lot more

GSA: For Business

www.gsa.gov/forbusiness
Doing Business with GSA 7

At the Businesses and Vendors web page, 

you will learn more about:

► How to accept the GSA SmartPay 

Card.

► How to recognize the GSA SmartPay 

Card.

► How your state handles taxes for the 

GSA SmartPay Card.

► Understanding GSA SmartPay Cards 

Accepting the GSA SmartPay charge card is 

beneficial to your company because you can 

maximize your ability to capture government 

sales. 

If you already accept these cards from the 

commercial sector, there is no additional 

work to do as the GSA SmartPay charge 

cards operate just like any other corporate 

charge cards

Most of the SmartPay web page is devoted 

to information for federal agencies and their 

employees on how to best use this program 

to achieve administrative efficiencies.

However, there are important web links for 

businesses wanting to learn how to take 

part in this multi-billion dollar marketing 

opportunity. To find out more, please click on 

the “Businesses & Vendors” tab at the top 

right-side of the SmartPay web page.

How to Get Access to a $30 Billion Market

GSA SmartPay Charge Cards

www.smartpay.gsa.gov

Helpful Hints for Finding SmartPay Cardholders

If you wish to locate and market your products and/or services to SmartPay cardholders you can 

use Google, or any other search engines, to get web links to federal agencies that maintain public 

listings of cardholders. For example, to find these free public listings at Google.com, please use 

these search terms:

► Government purchase cardholders

► FOIA cardholders [FOIA, Freedom of Information Act]
Doing Business with GSA 8

What is GSA Auctions?

GSA Auctions offers federal assets 

ranging from office equipment, to furniture, 

to vehicles, to land and buildings. GSA 

Auctions online capabilities allow GSA to 

offer assets located across the country to 

any interested buyer, regardless of location.

How to Participate

Participants may choose to browse items 

that are offered on this site or may choose 

to search for items and place bids. In order 

to place a bid(s), participants must register 

first. To register, please go to the GSA 

Auctions homepage and click on the register 

button (or for your convenience, please click, 

or double click, on this web link):

http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/

gsaauctions/

Selling and Disposal of Federal Surplus Property 

GSA Auctions

www.gsaauctions.gov

For More Information

At the bottom of the GSA Auctions 

homepage are additional web links:

► GSA Fleet Vehicle Sales

http://autoauctions.gsa.gov/autoauctions/

home.seam

► Real Property Disposal

http://realestatesales.gov/gsaauctions/

gsaauctions/
Doing Business with GSA 9

Opportunities for Travel Service Providers

Federal Travel

www.gsa.gov/travelindustry

Opportunity Links

At this opportunity gateway, companies can 

find web links on how to do business with 

five travel-related programs.

► FedRooms – Information for companies 

interested in providing hotel room 

inventory to the government:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/105404

► Conference Lodging Services – 

Information for companies interested 

in providing conference and event 

services to the government:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/27090

► Airline City Pair Program – Information 

on solicitations for airlines to provide 

transportation services:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/27075

► Travel Services Solutions – A Multiple 

Award Schedule for contract travel 

services:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/27054

► Transportation Audits – Information 

for contractors capable of conducting 

prepayment auditing services for the 

government:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/27057

Additional Reference Information

This gateway web site also provides links 

to GSA points of contact, per diem rates, 

mileage reimbursement rates and the Federal 

Travel Regulations.
Doing Business with GSA 10

Leading the Way & Opportunities for Businesses

GSA Fleet 

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104624

Overview

Since 1954, GSA Fleet has been providing 

quality vehicles and efficient and economical 

fleet management services to over 75 

participating federal agencies. The GSA 

Fleet has over 217,000 vehicles and is one of 

the largest non-tactical federal fleets in the 

U.S. Government. The GSA Fleet includes:

Automobiles

► Buses and ambulances

► Light, medium and heavy trucks

► Passenger vans

► Marketing to GSA’s Fleet Management 

Centers

GSA Fleet is supported by a network of 

Fleet Management Centers (FMCs). To find 

out more on how your business can support 

these centers, please go to this web link to 

find a FMC:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/

category/100759

Business Opportunities with GSA’s 

Maintenance Control Center

The GSA Maintenance Control Center 

(MCC) handles services requests with 

vendors located throughout the country. To 

become a MCC vendor, please go to this web 

link to get access to the “Vendor Application 

Letter of Agreement” form.

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104230

Selling Vehicles to GSA Fleet

For more information on how to sell vehicles 

to GSA Fleet, please go to this web link for 

the GSA Automotive Center:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21208
Doing Business with GSA 11

Opportunities for Transportation Service Providers

GSA Transportation

www.gsa.gov/transportation

Opportunities for Household 

Goods Transportation

GSA’s Centralized Household Goods Traffic 

Management Program (CHAMP) assists 

relocating federal government employees 

in transporting household goods from 

one official duty station to another, both 

domestically and internationally. GSA invites 

Transportation Service Providers (TSPs) 

to submit rates in response to Request for 

Offers during the open filing window. For 

more information, please go to this web link.

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103864

Opportunities for 

Freight Management

GSA’s Freight Management Program 

(FMP) provides a framework for fulfilling 

the domestic freight shipping requirements 

for federal agencies. To participate in this 

program, please go to this web link for more 

information on GSA’s Freight Request for 

Offers.

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/110716

Opportunities with 

GSA Schedule 48

GSA Schedule 48, Transportation, Delivery 

and Relocation Solutions, provides federal 

agencies with a variety of transportation 

services. Specifically, GSA Schedule 

48 includes the following services from 

contractors located across the country:

► Domestic Express and Ground Routine 

Shipping,

► Employee and Office Relocation 

Services,

► Local Courier Services,

► Rental Supplemental Vehicle Program,

► Transportation Consulting Services, 

and

► Ground Passenger Transportation 

Services.

For more information about GSA Schedule 

48, please go to this web link.

http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/

ElibMain/scheduleSummary.

do?scheduleNumber=48
Doing Business with GSA 12

Opportunities in Energy Management

Green Power & Utilities

www.gsa.gov/energy

Opportunities Overview

The staff with GSA’s Public Utilities 

Program is a multi-disciplinary team whose 

mission it is to provide leadership within the 

federal government with regard to developing 

contracting vehicles that enable customers 

to procure utility services at the lowest cost 

to the taxpayer and the greatest value to the 

American people.

The team procures for electricity, natural 

gas, water and sewage services. The 

current emphasis is on positioning the 

federal government to take advantage of 

potential cost savings made possible from 

restructuring initiatives being pursued by the 

nation’s electric utility industry. 

Opportunities Available at GSA’s 

Energy Division Library

In doing business with GSA, all energy utility 

providers should first visit the GSA Energy 

Division Library at this web link:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104187

At this web page, companies will find 

additional web links to the GSA Areawide Public Utility Contract Listing, GSA 

Regional Energy Coordinators and a variety 

of reference documents on how GSA 

conducts its procurements.

Opportunities with Green Power

GSA is at the forefront on the federal 

government’s initiatives with Green Power. 

To find opportunities in how to participate in 

these programs, please go to this web link:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/100856

Opportunities with 

GSA Schedule 03 FAC

GSA’s offers Energy Management Solutions 

on GSA Schedule 03 FAC, Facilities 

Maintenance and Management. For more 

information about becoming a contractor on 

GSA Schedule 03 FAC, please go to this web 

link:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103128
Doing Business with GSA 13

Opportunities in Leasing Space to the Federal Government

Real Property Leasing

www.gsa.gov/leasing

Overview

GSA, the nation’s largest public real estate 

organization, provides workspace for more 

than 1.2 million federal workers through its 

Public Building Service. GSA manages over 

8,100 leases with an annual rent outlay of over 

$5.5 billion.

GSA leases space in diverse locations when 

leasing is the best solution for meeting 

federal space needs. More than 50% of GSA 

leases are for 10,000 square feet or less. 

So, there are plenty of opportunities for 

small businesses interested in this market 

segment.

Useful Marketing Information

For sub-contracting opportunities with 

current lessors, GSA posts a monthly, 

nation-wide lease inventory (in a 

downloadable Excel spreadsheet format) at 

its GSA web site. The web link is available 

at this opportunity gateway web site; but, for 

your convenience, you can also use this web 

lin:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101840

Additional marketing information is available 

at GSA’s Inventory of Owned and Leased 

Properties at this web link:

http://www.iolp.gsa.gov/iolp/

NationalMap.asp

Opportunities with GSA’s 

National Broker Contractors

GSA’s Public Building Service also utilizes 

the leasing services from four National 

Broker Contractors. To pursue both subcontracting and contracting opportunities 

with these brokers, please go to this web link 

and click on the “Small Business Points of 

Contact” file:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103739

This web link also provides additional 

reference information about the National 

Broker Contract.
Doing Business with GSA 14

Opportunities with GSA’s IDIQ Contracts

Indefinite Delivery

Indefinite Quantity Contracts

www.gsa.gov/idiq

Overview

Indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity 

contracts provide for an indefinite quantity of 

services for a fixed time. They are used when 

GSA can’t determine, above a specified 

minimum, the precise quantities of supplies 

or services that the government will require 

during the contract period. IDIQ’s help 

streamline the contract process and speed 

service delivery.

IDIQ contracts are most often used for 

service contracts and architect-engineering 

services. Awards are usually for one base 

year with four, one-year option periods.

The government places delivery orders (for 

supplies) or task orders (for services) against 

a basic contract for individual requirements. 

Minimum and maximum quantity limits are 

specified in the basic contract as either 

number of units (for supplies) or as dollar 

values (for services).

Sub-Contracting Opportunities 

on GSA IDIQ Contracts

GSA provides a nation-wide listing of its 

IDIQ contractors. The list is available at the 

opportunity gateway web link provided at the 

top of this page. The list is in a downloadable 

Excel spreadsheet format that will allow you 

to re-organize the information to suit your 

needs.

To find the point of contact information 

for the companies listed, please conduct a 

search at the federal government’s SAM.

gov web site. To find sales information and 

transactional data on the orders placed 

against these IDIQ contracts, please type in 

the GSA contract number into the search box 

at the USAspending.gov web site.

Contracting Opportunities 

on GSA IDIQ Contracts

To participate in future procurements for 

GSA’s IDIQ contracts please monitor 

solicitations at the federal government’s 

FedBizOpps web site at this web address:

www.fbo.gov
Doing Business with GSA 15

Connections to GSA Business Opportunities

Telecommunications 

& Network Services

www.gsa.gov/networkservices

Overview

GSA offers cost-effective contracting 

solutions for the federal government’s 

communications infrastructure and service 

needs. GSA services include:

► Access services

► Managed network services

► Network applications

► Satellite services and applications

► Telecommunication services

► Wireless and mobile

► Accessible telecommunications

Sub-contracting Opportunities

For more information about sub-contracting 

opportunities with GSA’s industry partners, 

please go to these web links: 

Conections II:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/113271

Networx Universal:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101611

Networx Enterprise:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101612

SATCOM-II:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/25320

SATCOM Solutions – Small Business

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/122231

Contracting Opportunities 

on GSA Schedule 70

For more information on how to become 

a contractor on GSA Schedule 70, 

Information Technology (which includes 

telecommunication and network services), 

please go to this web link:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/198693
Doing Business with GSA 16

Opportunities in GSA’s Technology Solutions GWACs

Government-wide 

Acquisition Contracts

www.gsa.gov/gwacs

Overview

A Government-wide Acquisition Contract 

(GWAC) is a pre-competed, multiple-award, 

indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) 

contract that agencies can use to buy total 

IT solutions. The GWACs managed by 

GSA provide access to IT solutions such 

as systems design, software engineering, 

information assurance, and enterprise 

architecture solutions.

Sub-contracting Opportunities

For more information about sub-contracting 

opportunities with GSA’s industry partners, 

please go to these web links: 

Alliant:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103908

Alliant Small Business:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103417

8(a) STARS II

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/208261

VETS:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/102424

Please be aware that there may also be 

additional sub-contracting opportunities with 

contractors involved in expired GWACs (on 

existing task orders) for the next couple of 

years. To find these opportunities, please go 

to this web link and click on the web links for 

the expired GWACs to find the list of industry 

partners for these programs:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/

category/101715

Contracting Opportunities

Any future GWAC procurement 

opportunities will be posted on the federal 

government’s FedBizOpps web site at this 

web address:

www.fbo.gov
Doing Business with GSA 17

Opportunities for over 19,000 Contractors

Federal Supply Schedules

www.gsa.gov/schedulesolicitations

Overview

The GSA Schedules program is the 

premier acquisition vehicle in the federal 

government, with approximately $50 billion 

in yearly spending or 10% of overall federal 

procurement spending in any one year. 

For vendors interested in becoming GSA 

Schedule contractors, they should first visit 

this web link:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/

category/100635

Sub-contracting Opportunities

With more than 19,000 contractors and 

about 3,800 contractors with small business 

sub-contracting plans, there are plenty of 

sub-contracting opportunities. To get quick 

access to this list of contractors, please go to 

this web link:

http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/

scheduleList.do

At this web page, please click on the 

schedule number to go to that schedule 

page. At the schedule page, then click on the 

category number to see a list of contractors. 

Those contractors identified with an “o” 

(other than small business) in the socioeconomic column have sub-contracting 

plans where they are obligated to the federal 

government to sub-contract with small 

businesses. To get the point of contact 

information for these companies, please click 

on the company name. 

Contracting Opportunities

The opportunity gateway web site listed 

above gives direct access to GSA’s 31 

schedule programs. Just click on the 

schedule number hypertext links to proceed 

to the schedule web page. 

At the schedule web page, click on the 

rectangular box labeled “Vendors” to go 

to the solicitation for that schedule at the 

federal government’s FedBizOpps web page 

(www.fbo.gov).

A Special Note for VA-Managed Federal Supply Schedules

For more information on VA-managed schedules, please go to this web link:

http://www.va.gov/oal/business/fss/schedules.asp
Doing Business with GSA 18

Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to use GSA MAS contracts?

The GSA Order ADM 4800.2E, 1/3/2000 

identifies eligible users of the GSA MAS 

contracts:

► Executive and Other Federal Agencies

► Mixed-Ownership Government 

Corporations (Federal Deposit 

Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal 

Home Loan Banks, etc.)

► The District of Columbia

► Cost Reimbursable Government 

Contractors authorized in writing by a 

Federal agency (48 CFR 51.1)

► State and Local Governments 

through Cooperative and Disaster 

Recovery Purchasing. www.gsa.gov/

cooperativepurchasing

How does GSA determine if vendors are 

offering prices that are fair and reasonable to 

Federal Customers?

GSA MAS contracts are negotiated with the 

goal of obtaining “Most Favored Customer” 

(MFC) pricing/ discounts. While the MFC is 

often the vendor’s best commercial customer 

and receives the highest discount, such is 

not always the case. Per GSAR 538.270(a), 

“The Government will seek to obtain 

offeror’s best price (the best price given 

to the most favored customer). However, 

the Government recognizes that the terms 

and conditions of commercial sales vary 

and there may be legitimate reasons why 

the best price is not achieved.” Paragraph 

(c) of the GSAR language contains factors 

that are considered when the Government 

determines its price negotiation objectives. 

GSA’s goal is to acquire equal to or better 

than the MFC’s discount. (www.acquisition.

gov)

What is GSA Advantage!® and are all GSA 

MAS contractors required to participate?

GSA Advantage!® is an online shopping 

and ordering system that includes products 

and services under all of the GSA Multiple 

Award Schedules, Veterans Administration 

(VA) Schedules and GSA Global Supply 

items .With over 11 million products and 

services currently available, electronic 

ordering through GSAAdvantage!® allows 

a customer to send an order directly to the 

GSA Schedule contractor, creating a direct 

customer-contractor relationship. All GSA 

Schedule contractors must be registered 

with GSA Advantage!® To learn more 

about GSAAdvantage!®, please visit www.

gsaadvantage.gov.

What is e-Buy?

e-Buy is an online Request for Quotation 

(RFQ) tool designed to facilitate the request 

for submission of quotations for a wide range 

of commercial supplies and services offered 

by GSA Schedule and Government-wide 

Acquisition Contract (GWAC) contractors. 

e-Buy allows Federal agencies (buyers) to 

maximize their buying power by leveraging 
Doing Business with GSA 19

the power of the Internet to increase 

Schedule contractor participation in order 

to obtain quotations that will result in a best 

value purchase decision.

e-Buy provides Schedule contractors 

(sellers) with greater opportunities to 

offer quotations and increase business 

volume for supplies and services provided 

under their Schedule contracts. e-Buy 

streamlines the buying process with pointand-click functionality by allowing RFQs and 

responses to be exchanged electronically 

between Federal agencies and GSA 

Schedule/GWAC contractors. In short, e-Buy 

provides both agencies and contractors with 

a tool that will result in savings of both time 

and money.

What is a Blanket Purchase Agreement 

(BPA) under a GSA Schedule contract?

A GSA Schedule BPA is an agreement 

established by a customer with a GSA 

Schedule contractor to fill repetitive needs 

for supplies or services (FAR 8.405-3). It 

simplifies filling of recurring needs, while 

leveraging a customer’s buying power by 

taking advantage of quantity discounts, 

saving administrative time, and reducing 

paperwork.

A BPA can be set up for use by field 

offices across the nation, thus allowing 

them to participate in an agency’s BPA and 

place orders directly with GSA Schedule 

contractors. In doing so, the entire agency 

reaps the benefits of additional discounts 

negotiated into the BPA. A multi-agency 

BPA is also permitted if the BPA identifies 

the participating agencies and their 

estimated requirements at the time the BPA 

is established. A BPA may be established 

under a Contractor Team Arrangement.

Some ordering activities are issuing GSA 

Schedule BPAs for millions of dollars. Is 

there a dollar amount too large for GSA 

Schedule BPA procedures? Is there a limit on 

the dollar value of an order placed against a 

BPA?

The monetary limitation of a GSA Schedule 

BPA is determined by the underlying 

competition conducted by the ordering 

activity when establishing the BPA. The 

same ordering procedures outlined in FAR 

8.405 apply to the establishment of a GSA 

Schedule BPA (FAR 8.405-3(a)(2)). Based 

upon the potential volume of orders under 

the BPA, ordering activities may be able to 

obtain greater discounts, regardless of the 

size of individual orders. The ordering activity 

shall conduct an annual review of the GSA 

Schedule BPA to determine whether—

► The underlying Schedule contract is 

still in effect;

► The BPA still represents the best 

value; and

► Estimated quantities/amounts have 

been exceeded and additional price 

reductions can be obtained.

The ordering activity shall document the 

results of its review.

What is a Contractor Team Arrangement 

(CTA) under the GSA MAS Program?

A CTA under the MAS Program is an 

arrangement in which two or more MAS 

contractors join together to provide a total 

solution to meet a customer’s needs. Orders 

placed under a CTA are subject to the terms 

and conditions of each team member’s GSA 

MAS contract. For more information, please 

visit www.gsa.gov/cta.
Doing Business with GSA 20

Are all products and services offered under 

GSA Schedule contracts compliant with the 

Trade Agreements Act?

Yes. All products and services offered under 

GSA Schedule contracts are evaluated 

and awarded in accordance with the Trade 

Agreements Act (FAR 25.4). As an ordering 

activity contracting officer, can I terminate 

an order against a Schedule contract? Yes. 

In accordance with FAR 8.406-4 and 8.406-5, 

respectively, an ordering activity contracting 

officer may terminate an order for cause or 

for the convenience of the government. Such 

terminations shall comply with FAR 12.403.

The GSA Schedule contracting officer 

shall be notified in all cases where an order 

has been terminated for cause or fraud is 

suspected.

What is the Industrial Funding Fee (IFF)?

The IFF is a fee paid by customers to cover 

GSA’s cost of operating the Federal Supply 

Schedules program. The fee is a percentage 

of reported sales under Schedules contracts.

How does the Department of Veterans 

Affairs (VA) provide medical related 

contracts through the Schedules Program?

Medical Products and Services Schedules 

are provided under a special agreement. GSA 

has delegated management responsibility 

for medical products and services under the 

Schedules Program to the VA.

The VA Office of Acquisition and Materiel 

Management (OA&MM) is responsible 

for establishing, soliciting, awarding, and 

administering the VA’s Federal Supply 

Schedules Program. VA’s Schedules 

encompass such products as:

► Pharmaceuticals

► Medical Equipment And Supplies

► Dental Supplies

► X-Ray Equipment And Supplies 

(Including Medical And Dental X-Ray 

Film) 

► Patient Mobility Devices (Including 

Wheelchairs, Scooters,Walkers, etc.)

► Antiseptic Skin Cleansers

► Detergents And Soaps

► Invitro Diagnostics

► Reagents

► Test Kits And Sets

► Clinical Analyzers

► Laboratory Cost-Per-Test.

For more specific information regarding 

this program, please contact the VA office. 

FSS Help Line general questions telephone 

number (708) 786-7733 or the FSS Service 

Contract question telephone number (708) 

786-7722.

If my business has developed a new product, 

is GSA a potential customer?

Yes. GSA will evaluate your product to 

determine if it is new or better than existing 

items. If the Government needs your product, 

GSA may negotiate a contract to purchase 

the product from you. To determine what 

Schedule is applicable to your commodity, 

visit www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov.

Is there any system for monitoring how 

well large prime contractors meet their 

subcontracting goals?

Yes. Large prime contractors are required 

to submit reports documenting good faith 

efforts to meet their subcontracting goals. 

www.esrs.gov

Does the location of my business affect my 

ability to compete for GSA contracts?

It depends on the solicitation. Solicitations 

for repair and maintenance and small 

construction jobs may be limited to the 

geographic area needing the service. Others, 

such as solicitations for GSA Supply 

Catalog items and for large building projects, 

are open to vendors throughout the United 

States. In addition, FSS Acquisition Centers 

handle procurement of the products and 

services for which they are responsible.
Doing Business with GSA 21

Is it possible to be listed on more than one 

GSA MAS?

Yes, if you have more than one product or 

service to sell you are eligible to obtain more 

than one GSA MAS contract.

How can I learn more about architect/

engineer contracting with GSA and other 

Federal agencies?

GSA’s Design Excellence Program booklet 

gives information on architect/engineer 

contracting procedures. For a copy or further 

information on contracting opportunities, 

please contact:

GSA, Public Buildings Service

Center for Design Excellence and the Arts (PCE)

1800 F Street, NW,Washington, DC 20405

Does GSA use specifications and standards 

adopted by the private sector?

GSA’s policy is to adopt the appropriate 

specifications and standards of nationally 

recognized technical organizations, 

whenever appropriate, and to obtain input 

from these groups and individual firms on 

proposed specifications and standards.

Where can I get copies of specifications and 

standards?

Most solicitations will say where to obtain 

copies. You may also get copies from the 

purchasing office that issued the solicitation.

Some of the clauses in my contract seem to 

be important, but the text of the clauses is 

missing. What do I do?

When a contract refers to standard clauses 

listed elsewhere, you still must comply with 

the clause requirements. The full text of 

the clauses can be found in the FAR or the 

GSAM, or you may request a copy of the 

clauses from the procurement official listed 

in the solicitation.

What procurements under the simplified 

acquisition procedures are reserved?

Except for those acquisitions set aside 

for very small business concerns, each 

acquisition of products or services that 

has an anticipated dollar value exceeding 

$3000, but not over $150,000, is automatically 

reserved exclusively for small business 

concerns. It is set aside, unless the 

contracting officer determines there is 

not a reasonable expectation of obtaining 

offers from two or more responsible small 

businesses that are competitive in terms of 

market prices, quality and delivery, (see FAR 

19.502-2).

Are Request for Proposals (RFPs) always 

in writing?

No. In emergency situations, GSA may 

use oral solicitations. Sometimes, when 

competition is restricted (such as when a 

purchase must be made from a particular 

source), a letter RFP is used. Facsimile RFPs 

are used by some agencies. Eventually, most 

RFPs and offers will be made via electronic 

commerce.

Is it necessary that I have electronic 

commerce/ electronic data interchange (EC/

EDI) capability to do business with GSA?

Yes. We pay vendors electronically and in 

some cases require contractors to provide 

electronic catalogues.
Doing Business with GSA 22

Appendix B: Glossary of Terms

Acquisition Central: Internet website for 

Government-wide acquisition information.

Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA): An 

agreement between the Government and a 

supplier allowing repetitive purchases during 

a specified period (see FAR 13.303-1).

Certificate of Competency (COC) 

Program: The COC Program empowers 

SBA to certify to Government contracting 

officers as to all elements of responsibility 

of any small business to receive and perform 

a specific Government contract. When 

the contracting officer determines and 

documents that an apparent successful small 

business offeror lacks certain elements 

of responsibility (including but not limited 

to, capability, competency, capacity, credit, 

integrity and limitation on subcontracting), 

the contracting officer must withhold 

contract award and refer the matter to the 

cognizant SBA Government Contracting 

Area Office serving the area in which the 

headquarters of the offeror is located (see 

FAR 19.601(b)).

Commercial Item: Any supply or service, 

other than real property, that is customarily 

used for non-Government purposes and 

that has been sold, leased or licensed to the 

general public or falls under the additional 

categories listed in the complete definition of 

“commercial item” as it appears under FAR 

2.101.

Construction Metrication Ombudsman: A 

senior GSA official responsible for ensuring 

that GSA is implementing the metric system 

of measurement in an efficient manner, 

while ensuring that the goals of the Metric 

Conversion Act of 1975 are observed.

Cost-Reimbursement Contract: This type 

of contract provides for payment of allowable 

incurred costs, to the extent prescribed in the 

contract. (See FAR 16.3).

Contract: A mutually binding legal 

relationship obligating the seller to 

furnish the supplies or services (including 

construction) and the buyer to pay for them. 

It includes all types of commitments that 

obligate the Government to an expenditure 

of appropriated funds and that, except as 

otherwise authorized, are in writing. In 

addition to bilateral instruments, contracts 

include (but are not limited to) awards and 

notices of awards; job orders or task letters 

issued under basic ordering agreements; 

orders, such as purchase orders, under which 

the contract becomes effective by written 

acceptance or performance; and bilateral 

contract modifications (see FAR 2.101).

Contracting Activity: An element of an 

agency designated by the agency head 

and delegated broad authority regarding 

acquisition functions (see FAR 2.101).

Contracting Officer: A contracting officer 

has the authority to enter into, administer, 

and/or terminate contracts. They may also 
Doing Business with GSA 23

make related determinations and findings 

(see FAR 2.101).

Delivery Order: An order for supplies 

placed against an established contract or 

with Government sources.

Electronic Commerce (EC): Electronic 

techniques for accomplishing business 

transactions including electronic mail or 

messaging, World Wide Web technology, 

electronic bulletin boards, purchase cards, 

electronic funds transfer and electronic data 

interchange (see FAR 2.101).

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): A 

technique for electronically transferring 

and storing formatted information between 

computers utilizing established and 

published formats and codes, as authorized 

by the applicable Federal Information 

Processing Standards (see FAR 2.101).

Fixed-Price Contract: Contracts that 

provide for a firm price or, in appropriate 

cases, an adjustable price. Fixed price 

contracts providing for an adjustable price 

may include a ceiling price, a target price 

(including target cost) or both. Unless 

otherwise specified in the contract, the 

ceiling price or the target price is subject 

to adjustment only by operation of contract 

clauses providing for equitable adjustment 

or other revision of the contract price under 

stated circumstances. The contracting officer 

shall use firm-fixed- price or fixed-price with 

economic price adjustment contracts when 

acquiring commercial items (see FAR 16.201).

Government-wide Commercial Purchase 

Card: A purchase card, similar in nature to a 

commercial credit card, issued to authorize 

agency personnel to use in paying for 

supplies and services.

Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE):

The single point where Government business 

opportunities greater than $25,000, including 

synopses of proposed contract actions, 

solicitations, and associated information, 

can be accessed electronically by the public. 

The GPE is located at http://www.fedbizopps.

gov.

Industry: All concerns primarily engaged 

in similar lines of activity, as listed and 

described in the North American Industry 

Classification System (NAICS).

Information Technology (IT): Any 

equipment, or interconnected systems(s) 

or subsystem(s) of equipment used in the 

automatic acquisition, storage, analysis, 

evaluation, manipulation, management, 

movement, control, display, switching, 

interchange, transmission, or reception of 

data or information. IT includes computers, 

ancillary equipment, software, firmware and 

similar procedures, services and related 

resources (see FAR 2.101).

North American Industry Classification 

System (NAICS): The NAICS replaced 

the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 

Codes. NAICS is an industry classification 

system used by the statistical agencies of 

the United States for classifying business 

establishments. NAICS includes 1,170 

industries of which 565 are service based 

industries.

Negotiation: Exchanges between the 

Government and offerors, which are 

undertaken with the intent of allowing the 

offeror to revise its proposal. Negotiations 

may include bargaining; i.e., persuasion, 

alteration of assumptions and positions, 

and give-and-take, and may apply to price, 

schedule, technical requirements, type 

of contract or other terms of a proposed 

contract.

Offer: A response to a solicitation that, if 

accepted, would bind the offeror to perform 

the resultant contract. Responses to 

invitations for bid (sealed bidding) are offers 

called “bids” or “sealed bids;” responses 
Doing Business with GSA 24

to requests for proposals (negotiation) are 

offers called “proposals;” responses to 

requests for quotation (negotiation) are not 

offers and are called “quotations”, (see FAR 

2.101).

Purchase Order: When issued by the 

Government, purchase order means an 

offer by the Government to buy supplies or 

services, including construction and research 

and development, upon specified terms and 

conditions, using simplified acquisition 

procedures (see FAR 2.101).

Simplified Acquisition Procedures: The 

methods prescribed in FAR Part 13, for 

making purchases of products or services 

(see FAR 2.101).

Small Business Size: SBA’s size standards 

define whether a business entity is small and, 

thus, eligible for Government programs and 

preferences reserved for “small business” 

concerns. Size standards (see FAR 19.1) 

have been established for types of economic 

activity, or industry, generally under the 

NAICS.

Standards: Technical requirements for 

processes, procedures, practices, and 

methods that have been adopted as standard.

Statement of Work: A statement of 

work is a specific statement regarding the 

requirements needed in a service contract. 

The statement of work should include all 

aspects of job requirements, performance, 

and assessment.

Task Order: An order for services placed 

against an established contract or with 

Government sources. (See FAR 2.101).
Doing Business with GSA 25

Appendix C: Obtaining Grants and Other Support

A Grant means an award of financial 

assistance, including cooperative 

agreements, in the form of money, or property 

in lieu of money, by the Federal Government 

to an eligible grantee. GSA does not provide 

grants to small businesses. However, due to 

frequent requests for information, we have 

provided the following helpful resources.

SBA

www.sba.gov/content/what-7j-program

y www.sba.gov/financialassistance

Under Section 7(j) of the Small Business Act, 

SBA is authorized to provide management 

and technical assistance, through grants and 

cooperative agreements to qualified service 

providers. The Agency is not authorized to 

award grants to assist individuals to start, 

operate, expand, rebuild, or purchase a 

business. The management and technical 

assistance includes specialized training, 

professional consulting, and executive 

development. The qualified service providers 

deliver the training and technical assistance 

to eligible firms and individuals participating 

in SBA’s Business Development Program, 

other small disadvantaged businesses, low 

income individuals, and firms in either labor 

surplus areas or areas with a high proportion 

of low-income individuals.

In addition, SBA provides a number of 

financial assistance programs for small 

businesses including 7(a), 504, and disaster 

assistance loans. Eligibility requirements 

vary with SBA’s loan programs, surety bonds, 

and other programs.

GRANTS.GOV

www.grants.gov

Grants.gov allows organizations to 

electronically find and apply for more than 

$400 billion in Federal grants.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 

(CFDA)

www.cfda.gov

The online Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance gives you access to a database 

of all Federal programs available to State and 

local governments (including the District of 

Columbia); federally-recognized Indian tribal 

governments: Territories (and possessions) 

of the United States; domestic public, quasipublic, and private profit and nonprofit 

organizations and institutions; specialized 

groups; and individuals.
Smarter Solutions

The GSA star mark is always presented clearly 

and powerfully, it should never be smaller than 1/2 

inch. The primary color for the GSA star mark is 

PANTONE 541 C (or PANTONE 2945 U). The 

GSA star mark is never printed with the interior 

anything but white in color. In 2-color applications 

where the GSA star mark is not printed “GSA 

Blue” the GSA star mark may be printed as a 70% 

tint of black. For materials printed in a single 

color the GSA star mark should be either 100% 

blue or black.

GSA, Office of Small Business Utilization

Small Business Solutions

U.S. General Services Administration

18th and F Streets, NW

Washington, DC 20405

www.gsa.gov/osbu

1-855-OSBUGSA