General Information on GSA Schedules

Technically speaking, GSA Schedules are long-term Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contracts that are awarded to multiple contractors for various commercial products and services. Simply put however, GSA Schedules are catalogs from which federal and other authorized users can place orders. As far as authorized users are concerned, GSA Schedules are the Sharper Image, Patagonia, Lands End and LL Bean of the federal world all rolled into one.

GSA negotiates and awards the contracts initially, but after the Schedule contract is awarded, all other authorized users can purchase from the Schedules by issuing task or delivery orders to the contractor of their choice. GSA covers its costs for negotiating, awarding and administering the contracts by adding a small percentage (currently .75%) to the final cost of the products or services listed on contract. This charge, or Industrial Funding Fee as it is better known, is paid to the Schedule contractors by the authorized user and then passed back to GSA by the Schedule contractors.

From the authorized users perspective, a Schedule provides a quick and relatively easy way to purchase its needs without the hassles and headaches associated with some of the more burdensome and complex procurement regulations. An authorized user buying off a Schedule does not have to advertise its needs, seek further competition, or make independent determinations of fair and reasonable pricing. Furthermore authorized users can review Schedules on-line and buy on-line through the GSA Advantage! online shopping and ordering system.

From the contractor's perspective, a Schedule is the entry ticket to the federal marketplace. It gives you an easy way to sell. If you don't have a Schedule it's harder for authorized users to buy from you. But a Schedule is just a hunting license, not a guarantee of doing business with the federal government.

A GSA Schedule is also beneficial from the contractor's perspective because a GSA Schedule contract can remain in place for up to twenty years under the Evergreen clause found in most Schedule solicitations. Essentially, each GSA Schedule contract consists of a basic five year contract period and three five-year options for a total of twenty years.

Products and Services on GSA Schedules

GSA Schedules cover goods ranging from paint, bathroom cleansers and furniture to mainframes and telemetry systems. Covered services range from copying and mailing services to consulting, professional engineering and even legal services.

The various goods and services are divided into different numbered Schedules. For example, Group 36 covers photocopiers related products and services; Group 58 is for audio and video products; Group 653 is for relocation services. There are over 60 different Schedule Groups and there is some overlap between the different Groups. GSA's website at http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/ElibHome contains an excellent search engine that will help you determine if your company's products or services are sold on Schedule, and if so, which one is right for your company.

Next:   Why do I need a GSA Schedule?