GSA has taken steps to make good on Administrator Lurita Doan’s goal to reduce GSA Schedule award time to 30 days by implementing a pilot program of MAS Express. Schedules 70 (Information Technology Equipment, Software, and Services); 58I (Professional Audio Video, Telecommunications and Security Solutions); 81 (Shipping, Packaging and Packing Supplies); and 67 (Cameras, Photographic Printers and Related Supplies & Services) will be the first to try the new program.  MAS Express is limited to certain Special Item Numbers (SINs) within each Schedule.  See www.EZGSA.com/sub_links/speed.shtml to view the SINs and detailed requirements.

To qualify, an offeror must meet a series of Core requirements, including: being absent from the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS); having been in business for two years; accumulating at least $100,000 documented sales in the past two years; having a current ratio (current assets divided by current debt) of at least 1.5; and maintaining positive or neutral ratings on all elements off their recent (past year) Open Ratings reports.

Secondary Criteria include a current Central Contractor Registration (CCR); a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number; completed Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA); offering products or services within SINs included in the Express program; and completion of the Pathways to Success training program by a current employee at the Vendor Support Center (VSC). For instance, an IT services company would not be eligible for the Express program because that SIN is not covered.

If the offeror is NOT the manufacturer, they must submit letters of supply from each manufacturer, and notwithstanding contrary direction from the Federal Acquisition Regulation, they must submit two copies of each manufacturer’s pricelist. 

The offer must be limited to no more than 500 products/line items to be considered, offer pricing equal to or better than most favored customer pricing, and may take no exceptions to the terms and conditions of the solicitation. 

Large businesses must prepare a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.702(a)(1) and General Services Administration Acquisition Manual (GSAM) 519.705-2(a). 

If all of the above criteria are met, the offer is eligible to be submitted to the centralized Schedule Program Express Evaluation Desk (SPEED Desk).  The SPEED desk will either forward the offer to the respective acquisition center, or return it to the offeror, with options for future consideration or direct submission to the acquisition center for further evaluation, award, or return.  Success at the SPEED desk will not be a guarantee of award at the acquisition center. 

Time will tell whether GSA is able to deliver on its 30-day goal, and whether the item limitations will result in immediate and cumbersome requests for modifications.  At any rate, it’s a good start to bring more variety and competition to the federal customer.  

Author:

Scott Orbach, president of EZGSA – Gateway to Government Sales, has overseen the awards of almost 500 GSA schedule contracts. He is the author of “Getting a GSA Schedule” and is an internationally recognized expert on GSA Schedules and Government Contracting.

       Contact:     

        Scott Orbach
        EZGSA – Gateway to Government Sales
                          P O Box 30406
                          Bethesda, MD  20824-0096
                          www.EZGSA.com
                          301-913-5000
                          orbach@ezgsa.com