Over the last couple of years, the world has had more challenges to face than usual. If you are looking to add disaster assistance as an avenue for selling your products and/or services to the federal government, a GSA Schedule could make your efforts more effective.

GSA Schedules for Federal Disaster Relief has the added benefit that State and Local governments are permitted to purchase from them as well. In recent disasters, we have seen that small businesses are playing a bigger role than ever before in area stabilization and recovery. Having a GSA Schedule aids in the transparency for federal buyers, “they know they are not paying inflated disaster prices” and this gives buyers confidence, and purchases that can be easily tracked. This makes small business GSA Schedule Holders a key vendor for many of these groups.

Applicable Law - Regarding Not-for-Profits
“The President is authorized to enter into agreements with the American National Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Mennonite Disaster Service, and other relief or disaster assistance organizations under which the disaster relief activities of such organizations may be coordinated by the Federal coordinating officer whenever such organizations are engaged in providing relief during and after a major disaster or emergency. Any such agreement shall include provisions assuring that use of Federal facilities, supplies, and services will be in compliance with regulations prohibiting duplication of benefits and guaranteeing nondiscrimination promulgated by the President under this chapter, and such other regulation as the President may require.”

Applicable Law – How do GSA Schedules fit in?
“The Administrator may provide for the use by State or local governments of Federal supply schedules of the General Services Administration for goods or services that are to be used to facilitate recovery from a major disaster declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), to facilitate disaster preparedness or response, or to facilitate recovery from terrorism or nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack.”

Applicable Law – Which Schedules?
“The Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine which goods and services qualify as goods and services… for the use of the Federal supply schedule relating to such goods and services.”

New Rule Specifications
 

This federal policy is good for GSA Schedule Holders as in the event of a major disaster, the GSA schedule provides pre-negotiated prices. Reliable suppliers and no audit trail required for federal funds provided to these organizations. These key elements of the GSA Schedule will boost sales for schedule holders during Presidentially Declared Disasters.

A GSA Schedule is considered a great early step when entering the federal marketplace. A GSA Schedule can be coupled with an 8(a) Certification, or as a standalone to provide brighter future business development potential. If you would like to have an analysis run to see what type of impact a GSA Schedule could provide your business, I always recommend contacting an industry expert such as Advance GSA. They can be reached at (303)810-4580, and do not charge for an initial consultation.