GSA SCHEDULES – ACCELERATE YOUR SALES

The quickest and easiest way for any company to accelerate their sales in the Federal Market Place is to be a GSA Schedule Contract holder. The GSA Schedules have been expanded to allow almost every industry the ability to sell products and professional services to the Federal Government.

What is the GSA FSS Program?
GSA's Federal Supply Schedules, also known, as Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) are contracts that allow federal customers to acquire products and services directly from commercial suppliers. The MAS program mirrors commercial buying practices more than any other procurement process in the Federal Government. It provides a vast array of commercial items and services that can be purchased quickly and easily from among qualified contractors and is the preferred contracting vehicle for doing business within the Federal Marketplace.

How does GSA award these contracts?
GSA awards competitive contracts to those companies that offer commercial services or products, at varying prices, provided that prices are determined to be fair and reasonable. GSA seeks to receive the same or better discounts offered to your best customers - a negotiation objective commonly known as "most favored customer" pricing.

What are the benefits of being a GSA Schedule Contract Holder?
There are many advantages to being a GSA Schedule Contract Holder, as outlined in Figure 1 below. Government agencies placing orders against the GSA Schedule contract follow quick and easy ordering procedures, do not need to, synopsize requirements, make determinations of fair and reasonable pricing, or consider small business set asides; the GSA Services Acquisition Center will complete these requirements. Therefore, agencies that use the FSS and qualified contract holders can be assured that the procurement process will be the best value available and will comply with all applicable regulations.

How will Agencies or State and Local Government's place orders against our GSA Schedule Contract?
Under the micro purchase threshold, the ordering activity should make a "best value"
determination and place the order. Between the micro purchase threshold and $25,000, the ordering activity should review at least three contracts and make a "best value" determination. For orders above the maximum order threshold, additional contracts should be reviewed, ordering activities should seek a price reduction and they should make a "best value"

Why should your company become a GSA Schedule Contract holder?
GSA Schedule awards have become the procurement method of choice for all Federal Agencies resulting in today's $50 billion a year market (FY 2007). Predictions indicate that it will become nearly impossible to do business with the government without a GSA Schedule Contract. For small to mid size companies, the news is even better. In fact, government agencies actively seek small businesses when buying goods and services from commercial contractors. And, you don't even have to be a 'Beltway Insider' to receive government contracts - a perceived misconception. Commercial companies outside the Washington DC corridor do more and more business than ever before. To participate in this market - you must have a GSA
Schedule contract!

SharpMinds Professional Services-
Established in 1998, SharpMinds is an innovative company offering the best in Government contract and acquisition support services. SharpMinds was formed by a group of strategic-thinking contracts and legal professionals who understand that the value of sharp-minded contracts professional is worth its weight in gold.
Our professionals possess expertise in the areas of Federal Government, commercial and international contracting. We formulate competitive strategies based on an understanding of your company's services/products and pricing practices for the most preferred contracting vehicle in the Federal Market Place - the GSA Federal Supply Service (FSS) Schedule.

In addition, SharpMinds is fully committed to assisting our clients with the evolving rules and regulations in government contracting. Our professional staff will anticipate and evaluate new legislation and regulations as it pertains to your schedule and keep you abreast of the latest happenings.

~ GSA Multiple Award Schedules Benefit Information

Contract Period-
- Valuable long-term relationship with federal customers
- 20-year contract: 5 year base period with three (3) five-year renewable options

Government Access-
- Internet-ready access to all federal agencies in several government-hosted databases and on-line systems (GSA Advantage!, E-Buy, Schedules E-library, mailing lists)
- Shortened time to issue contracts (14 days compared to 268 days for conventional contracts)
- Avoids open competitions
- GSA actively seek small business buying through schedule contractors

Income Potential-
- One-time negotiations based on your commercial selling practices with "most favored customer" pricing
- Request For Quotes (RFQs) at your desktop!
- Task order awards are based on Best Value; all applicable Laws and regulations have been applied; prices have been determined to be fair and reasonable
- Direct agency sales and delivery
- Customer credit guarantee (federal government)
- On time government payments, electronically
- Commercial buying practices and price parity
- Ability to introduce new & emerging technologies
- Can be used by all Federal agencies and the District of Columbia; State contracting opportunities with IT schedule
- Unlimited partnering opportunities and access to other schedule-holders via contractor team arrangements
- Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) can be established

Contract Administration & Overhead-
- Minimal with GSA schedules contract
- Reporting and payment of .75% Industrial Funding Fee quarterly (priced in agency sales)
- Ease of processing government orders
- Simple invoicing
- Receipt of payment faster (Usually within 30 days)

Contract Modifications-
- Greater flexibility
- Economic price adjustments (EPA) annually
- Ability to add new services/products