Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

Federal Contracting

Get Ready: MAS Refresh 29 and Mass Modification Ahead

GSA has clarified (from an update on 21 August) that rotary aircraft (helicopters) will temporarily fall under MAS SIN 336413. This measure ensures agencies meet ongoing requirements and vendors can compete while GSA develops a long-term acquisition strategy. (GSA Interact August 26, 2025)

The GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) will issue MAS Solicitation 47QSMD20R0001 – Refresh #29 in August 2025. Contractors must accept the associated mass modification within 90 days of issuance. (ibid)

Key Changes to the MAS Solicitation

  1. Replace Price Proposal Templates (PPTs) with new FAS Catalog Platform (FCP) Product and Services Plus Files. The PPT for “541930” Translation and interpretation services and 611630 linguistic training and education” will be replaced by the FCP Services Plus File.
  2. Update GSAR clause 552.238-103 ELECTRONIC COMMERCE with clear catalog requirements and references.
  3. Add consolidated GSAR 552.238-120 to replace legacy Economic Price Adjustment clauses 552.216-70 and I-FSS-969.
  4. Remove 19 retired Small Business Set-Aside SINs for the MAS Solicitation and all associated documents.
  5. Revise SCP-FSS-001 Instructions Applicable to All Offerors.
  6. Incorporate GSAR Change 187 updates. (ibid)

Changes to Specific Categories and SINs

  • Furniture & Furnishings (C): Revise SIN 33712 (Daycare, Preschool & Classroom Solutions).
  • IT (F): Revise SIN 518210C (Cloud Services) and SIN 54151HACS (Cybersecurity Services).
  • Miscellaneous (G): Remove Awards (G01) and Personal Hair Care Items (G04).
  • Scientific Management (I): Revise SIN 334515 (Diagnostic & Testing Equipment).
  • Security & Protection (J): Revise SIN 334220 (Surveillance Systems) and SIN 336413 (Aircraft Armoring & Helicopter Equipment). (ibid)

Questions about the MAS Refresh 29? Give us a call.

GSA Taps Industry to Transform Federal Contracting with AI

The General Services Administration (GSA) issued a Request for Information (RFI) today, seeking input from suppliers and industry associations to create a single, integrated, and highly efficient procurement ecosystem. This new system will incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive collaboration and strengthen the federal acquisition lifecycle. (General Services Administration Press Release August 18, 2025)

“President Trump, through his executive orders and AI Action Plan, is prioritizing the consolidation ​of federal procurement ​and acceleration of AI adoption across government. GSA ​plays a central role in both these efforts and will deliver a more effective, data-driven, and unified acquisition lifecycle,” said Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum. “Leveraging AI to consolidate procurement processes and provide insightful recommendations is critical to this transformation. We welcome our industry partners’ expertise as we build an acquisition system that reduces waste, delivers better value for taxpayers, and better results for government.” (ibid)

The RFI represents GSA’s initial outreach to industry partners to gather their perspective on its vision for modernizing procurement. On behalf of the federal government, GSA seeks innovative solutions that apply AI and automation to existing data, structured and unstructured, to achieve greater efficiency and scalability in acquisition practices. (ibid)

GSA invites input from suppliers and associations with expertise in information technology, data architecture and storage, AI and Machine Learning, data analytics, user experience design, and innovative small businesses and startups. (ibid)

Interested parties should review the draft RFI package, which outlines the scope, objectives, functional and non-functional requirements, information about current systems, and related challenges. Respondents may submit White Papers up to 10 pages. (ibid)

Responses are due August 29, 2025. GSA will use the feedback to inform follow-on engagements, including additional RFIs, draft solicitations, and potential individual discussions. GSA anticipates issuing solicitations in support of this initiative shortly after reviewing feedback. (ibid)

Should you have questions concerning the creation of the White Paper or need guidance, give us a call.

Is your SIN TDR Eligible? A deadline looms

Under the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation 47QSMD20R0001 Refresh 27, Transactional Data Reporting (TDR) is mandatory for all contract holders with TDR-eligible SINs. See the full list of TDR SINs on GSA’s Transactional Data Reporting requirements page. (GSA July 9, 2025)

Contractor Action Required:

  1. Accept Mass Modification A903.
  2. Submit a “Participate in TDR” modification via eMod.

Submit only a cover letter signed by an authorized negotiator with your modification. On the effective date of the TDR modification, your entire contract will be subject to TDR. Submit your modification no later than September 15, 2025. (ibid)

Questions concerning the deadline or submittal of your modification? Give us a call.

FAR Revisions – making it simple

FAR Reform: What Contractors Need to Know About the Latest Proposed Changes

The FAR Council continues to update the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in response to the executive order “Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement.” These proposed changes aim to simplify and streamline federal buying. So far, updates target FAR Parts 1, 10, 11, 18, 34, 39, 43, and 52.

Although these changes are still in the review stage, many agencies have already started applying them. Here’s what federal contractors should know:

New Proposed FAR Revisions – In Plain Terms

Part 10: Market Research

  • Agencies now have more flexibility in how they conduct market research at any dollar level.
  • They must still research larger buys (above the simplified acquisition threshold).
  • They no longer have to research smaller buys if good pricing info is available.
  • The FAR removes suggested research steps.
  • New clause FAR 52.210-1 (Market Research) will appear in solicitations and contracts for noncommercial buys over $6 million.

Part 11: Describing Agency Needs

  • Agencies no longer need to prioritize green products listed in the Green Procurement Compilation.
  • Agencies can rely on commercial market acceptance to decide if an item fits their needs.
  • Removes measures controlling the identification and availability of specifications.
  • The FAR drops specific rules for specs and delivery schedules.
  • It keeps rules under DPAS for contracts tied to national defense and emergency programs.

Part 18: Emergency Acquisitions

  • Agencies no longer need to prioritize sustainable options during emergency buys.
  • Emergency flexibilities remain in place for disasters, security events, and contingency operations.

Part 39: Buying IT and Communications Tech

  • Contracting officers do not need to evaluate every stage of modular IT contracts for the best contract vehicle.
  • Agencies will no longer need IT vendors to list minimum education or experience for proposed staff.

Part 43: Contract Modifications

  • The FAR clarifies how agencies should document and define change orders.
  • Contracting officers won’t have to list every major event when reviewing requests for pricing adjustments.

What This Means for Contractors

These changes mark a shift toward faster, more practical procurement. Even though the FAR updates are not finalized, agencies are already putting many into action. Contractors should track these changes closely to stay ahead, and stay compliant, to stay competitive.

Questions regarding the latest proposed revisions to the FAR? Give us a call.