What is a GSA Schedule Contract?

A GSA Schedule Contract is an Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract that falls under the GSA’s Multiple Award System (MAS). The purpose of GSA Schedule Contract is to eliminate paperwork and bureaucracy thereby assisting federal employees in purchasing products and services at pre-negotiated prices and terms.  

How many firms hold a GSA Schedule Contract?

There are around 13,400 firms have a GSA Schedule Contract. Roughly 11,000 small businesses and 2,400 large businesses with GSA Schedule Contracts. 

Annual Sales Volume of GSA Schedule System?

The GSA Schedule system has $40 billion per year in federal sales. $25 billion goes to large business with roughly $15 billion going to small business. Therefore, large businesses average $10MM per year in schedule sales and small businesses average $1.4MM per year in schedule sales.   

Number of Products and Services on GSA Schedule?

The GSA Schedule System is the bazaar for federal buyers. There are over 11 million different goods and services available on the GSA Schedule System.  

How long does a GSA Schedule last?

Generally, a GSA Schedule remains in place for a five-year period. It can be renewed three times for twenty years total in contract life.  

How long does it take to obtain a GSA Schedule?

There are several factors that determine the amount of time it takes to obtain a GSA Schedule Contract. Once you have submitted all of your documents for approval to the GSA, then the GSA Schedule goes through a multi-step approval process. Review times range from three to five months. There is an expedited process if the GSA Schedule is initiated through a federal agency, then the request is approximately four weeks.  

If my firm has a special designation is that listed on my schedule?  

Yes – Firms with an 8(a) Certification, HUBZone, WOSB, EDWOSB, SDVOSB, or Veteran Owned certification have this listed on their GSA Advantage and GSA eLibrary listings. 

How much in gross sales (revenue) is required in order to qualify for a GSA Schedule?

Generally, a firm applying for a GSA Schedule must have had at least $25,000 in sales over the prior two-years in the industry in which they are seeking the GSA Contract. 

What is the best industry regarding federal sales as a GSA Contract holder?

There is no set industry that is best for doing well within the GSA Schedule System. The largest two industries are IT, and Professional/Consulting Services. Both of these industries tend to do well within the federal GSA space, however, many niche industries out-perform these more mainstream industries.  

If I obtain an 8(a) Certification, should I also obtain a GSA Schedule?

A GSA Schedule can greatly aid an 8(a) firm in the marketing of its goods and services. This is because GSA Schedules are the predominant method of purchasing most federal procurement officers go to in order to do market research. Past studies have shown that 8(a) certified firms do three times the amount of business of their non-8(a) certified firms showing the advantage of the combination.  

What is GSA eBuy?

eBuy is an online procurement tool only for GSA Schedule holders that is used by procurement officers to facilitate the request for quotes on proposals for products and services by federal buyers. The average eBuy procurement is sent to seven GSA Schedule holders of which between three and four respond.  

Can I sell to State and Local Governments using a GSA Schedule?

State and local governments have the use of GSA Schedules through two platforms: The Cooperative Purchasing and Disaster Recovery Purchasing Programs. State and local government use of GSA Schedules has been a high growth area for the GSA in recent years.

What is the small business participation rate on GSA Schedules?

83% of firms with GSA Schedules are small businesses, 37% of GSA revenue is with small business.

What is a GSA Schedule Teaming Agreement?

A GSA CTA (Contractor Teaming Arrangement) is an agreement combining the goods and services of two or more GSA Schedule Holders into one offering. The agreement sets the outline of the roles of each of the firms in the agreement.

If you need assistance exploring the eligibility and potential that a GSA Schedule has for your firm, I always recommend contacting an industry expert such as Advance GSA or ez8a. Neither charge for an initial consultation.