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GSA Schedule contract

Satellite of Love-ing IT Schedule 70’s new SIN

GSA launches new Special Item Number for Satellites

The next IT Schedule 70 refresh will include a new Special Item Number (SIN), 132-41, devoted exclusively to Earth Observation Solutions (EOS)!

The SIN will provide services related to “global coverage, imagery, archive storage and distribution, monitoring, base maps (mosaics) and earth observation solutions for accurate, mission-critical information.” This can serve a wide array of uses, like obtaining climate, defense, and weather data.

GSA published the Request for Information in February, launching work on the SIN. They expect to launch it for vendors in early June.  At that time, partners with satellite tech can add their services to the contract.

With the rapid acceleration of technology and expanding possibilities offered by satellites, this addition will bring inventive solutions to the GSA schedule. On the vendor side, the SIN will make it easier for innovative partners to pursue the addition of satellites.

GSA will host a webinar on May 18th, 10:00 am EST to discuss the development and resulting changes. To participate, register at https://meet.gsa.gov/eos05182017/event/event_info.html.

Ch Ch Ch Changes … to the GSA Schedules

GSA is preparing to release a round of Schedule refreshes next month, so prepare for a bunch of mass modifications. And if you are in the midst of completing your GSA Schedule proposal, either submit now or expect to review the entire solicitation again come April.

New policies represented in the GSA Schedules will include small business subcontracting changes, updates to those entities that can access the Schedules for purchases, SCA adjustments, and modifications in the Disaster Purchasing Program. For instance, the Red Cross and other qualified organizations will have access to the Schedules during emergency preparedness and disaster relief. Additionally, the following specifics may be of interest to our clients:

  • Subcontracting plans for ‘other-than-small’ businesses will now be at the CO’s discretion. For all intents and purposes, however, these will still have to be submitted with your proposal.
  • The Pathways to Success training has been removed as a requirement for streamlined offers.
  • Montenegro and New Zealand are now TAA compliant countries.
  • Federal contractors now receive paid sick leave.

If you have any questions about how these changes will affect your Schedule contract, feel free to give us a call at 301-913-5000. We look forward to assisting you with this new round of changes.

Get Ready for More GSA Refreshes and Mass Mods

Next month, GSA will refresh and release mass mods for all GSA Schedules regarding provision and clause updates.

Updates will incorporate changes in small business subcontracting, non-federal entities purchasing off the Schedules, and disaster purchasing.

A webinar concerning the changes will be held on Wednesday, 22 March at 2:00pm eastern time. You can register for the webinar here: https://meet.gsa.gov/e4et0bzib7a/event/event_info.html.

For more information, contact us at 301-913-5000.

Scared of the CAV or IOA?

Is your GSA Schedule in good health? The government ensures that your GSA Schedule stays sound by performing occasional audits, checking that your business is following the rules under which the contract was awarded. While you may have the best intentions of remaining in compliance, new hires, misunderstandings about regulatory requirements, and price changes can trip you up, causing problems in the audit itself.

EZGSA offers a Schedule Check-Up that helps to prevent negative audit findings. Many of our clients utilize this service once a year, just as you get a physical once a year — as an objective view of your GSA Schedule’s soundness.

In the GSA Schedule Check-Up, we review:

  • invoices;
  • sales to your Most Favored Customer;
  • sales to all government agencies;
  • internal Commercial Sales Practices procedures;
  • 72A reporting and payments; and
  • open market sales.

If discrepancies are found, we assist you in correcting the problems as well as developing new procedures that will prevent replication of the problems.

Contact us at 301-913-5000 or sales@ezgsa.com to see if your business can benefit from a Schedule Check-Up, either as a yearly preventative or before the Auditor visits.

Marketing Tip of the week: Expiring Contracts

When a government contract ends, there is a likelihood that the particular agency will again need the things they bought before. Like a yearly grocery list, they buy the same types of things over and over again.

Knowing contract end dates are essential to winning new business. By researching for existing contracts that will be expiring in the next 6 months, you’ll be able to determine:

  • the status of the current project
  • if it’s going to be up for “re-compete”
  • what the incumbent did to win the original
  • the likely parameters of the forthcoming RFP
  • the strengths and weaknesses of your competition

—and you’ll have this information well in advance of the RFP, giving your team ample time to prepare .

For more information or for research and marketing assistance, call EZGSA @301-913-5000