For new IT firms, IT70 Springboard may be your GSA solution.

Five or six years ago I took a call from a gentleman that had a PhD in Computer Science. He had started his own firm a year prior, and developed a software program that the US Treasury felt they could use during audit procedures. He was told by The Department of the Treasury to go get a GSA Schedule as that would be the easiest way for them to provide him with contracts. Much to his dismay, he found out that there was a 2 year in business requirement for obtaining a GSA Schedule. While the Treasury still eventually purchased from him, it made everything much more difficult for everyone involved.

Fast forward a few years, and in 2017 the GSA (after being confronted with this same problem a multitude of times) created the IT70 Springboard Program. The purpose of this accelerated program was to give the government access to new and innovative technologies closer to the speed of industry adoption. Basically, under a certain set of circumstances for IT companies, the GSA was allowed to circumvent the two years in business regulation for them.

Therefore, in the best interest of the Federal Government, the GSA recognized that the one size fits all “two-year requirement for GSA Schedule eligibility” made it incredibly difficult for businesses like these to apply for a government contract, successfully selling in the government marketplace. Their response was implementing the Springboard Program as a method to help alleviate the issue on both ends.

SpringBoard changes how the GSA views an IT Startup by utilizing the following factors:
- Use executives’ and key professionals' professional experience to substitute for two years of corporate experience.
- Replace past business performance with the project experience of executives and major employees.
- Utilize financial documentation that demonstrates your company's financial responsibility instead of submitting two years of financial statements.

Benefit:  The average sales for a GSA Schedule IT70 holder are robust at almost $1.3MM per year per firm. Sales achieved from a GSA Schedule can be a great “springboard” to launch a new IT firm.
 

If your firm would like to determine the potential federal market size of your product or service, I always recommend contacting an industry expert such as Advance GSA. A GSA Schedule is a great early step when entering the federal marketplace. Advance GSA can run an analysis of your firm to see what type of impact a GSA Schedule could provide your business. They can be reached at (303)810-4580 and do not charge for an initial consultation.