Getting GSA Certified

Getting GSA Certified

Receiving a GSA contract award means that a contractor has been awarded a GSA Schedule Contract or has been certified by GSA. A GSA Schedule Contract is a long-term contract with the General Services Administration’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program which allows federal agencies to more easily purchase services and products from a contractor. Being GSA certified facilitates the process of federal buyers finding specific products and services to purchase. Being GSA certified basically “pre-approves” a contractor’s pricing and terms which makes the purchasing process easier for both government buyers and contractors.

Benefits of Getting GSA Certified

Being GSA certified validates a contractor as a trusted source. While it is not necessary to get a GSA contract to do business with the government, many government agencies prefer the use of GSA over other options as it greatly facilitates the purchasing process.

Even though a company is GSA certified, it is still necessary to actively market your products and services to the government to be successful. Contractors that are GSA certified have access to online GSA systems, such as GSA Advantage!, GSA E-Buy, GSA Reverse Auctions, and can be more easily found by buyers seeking out a particular product or service.

Being GSA certified brings many benefits including:

  1. As a GSA certified contractor your company has been “pre-approved” by GSA as a viable contractor to do business with the government thus there is less work and risk for an agency to select you.
  2. As a GSA certified contractor, your pricing has been approved by GSA as “fair and reasonable” so buyers do not have to do further work to justify the pricing of a solution.
  3. As a GSA certified contractor, your company will be listed in GSA Advantage and E-Library which is a major source which government agencies utilize to find vendors.
  4. As a GSA certified contractor, your company will gain access to GSA E-Buy, the on-line bidding area for GSA Schedule Holders.

GSA Certification ~ What is the Overall Process?

Getting GSA certified involves a lengthy proposal process. Initially, a document package is prepared and submitted electronically to GSA for review. After GSA has reviewed the submission, they commonly respond with several clarification questions. Once the offer documents are deemed acceptable by the GSA, negotiations are conducted to finalize the terms, conditions and pricing. The GSA contract is awarded and you are considered GSA certified.

Key items to consider prior to submitting a package for GSA certification include:

  • Fit: Do the products and/or services offered fit with a current GSA schedule solicitation?
  • Price: Can you compete with current contractors on GSA Schedules? Being GSA certified requires that your offered pricing be equal to or better than your other similar customers.
  • Time: Do you have the time to dedicate towards responding to a Schedules solicitation, administrating the contract and marketing the contract to ordering activities?
  • Resources: Do you have the resources to pursue a Schedules contract and both market and compete for business once you have a contract?

The GSA Schedule Consultants at Sharpminds can help you get GSA Certified and on the GSA Schedule. Contact Sharpminds today to speak to an expert GSA Schedule Consultant for all your GSA Schedule and GSA Contracting needs.