Essential Insights for Navigating GSA Schedule Offers

At a Glance:

• Main Takeaway: Understanding the different Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) offer types enables contractors to prepare the optimal proposal for securing a contract to sell their products and services to the government.
• Business Impact: Offer requirements vary based on several factors. Selecting the appropriate MAS offer type prevents submission of a non-responsive proposal and decreases the time to award.
• Next Steps: Contact Aprio’s Government Contracting team for assistance with developing the best GSA offer strategy. Our Government Contracting professionals provide guidance throughout the entire offer process.

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The Full Story:

In light of recent Executive Orders, interest in the General Services Administration (GSA) and its contract vehicles is at an all-time high. GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), a 20-year government-wide contract for commercial products and services, is of special interest because it is continuously open to new offers (i.e., there is not a limited “bid window”).

There are four distinct pathways for MAS contract offers. The different offer types are designed for businesses at different stages of their growth and relationship with the government.

Understanding GSA Offer Types

Before preparing your GSA offer, it is essential to understand each offer type to determine the best approach for your business. Each type provides opportunities for contractors to engage with the government marketplace.

The four types of GSA offers are:

1. Standard 20-Year Offer: This is the pathway most new MAS contractors use. It is open to companies with at least two years of corporate experience. This offer type requires a comprehensive proposal including administrative, technical, and pricing components.  
2. Streamlined Offer: The streamlined offer is only available to existing MAS contract holders. It allows them to submit a new offer for their existing Special Item Numbers (SINs) at any time using a simplified process. This provides flexibility for existing contractors whose current contracts are approaching their final option period. Existing contractors who want to add new SINs must submit a standard offer.
3. Joint ventures (JV) have a special pathway to submit a MAS contract offer that includes a mixture of standard and Startup Springboard requirements. JV offers require information about the joint venture itself, as well as information on the JV members.   
4. Startup Springboard Program: The Startup Springboard Program is designed to specifically assist new and emerging contractors entering the federal marketplace who do not yet have two years of corporate experience. This program allows startups to use alternative documentation for some of the traditional requirements, such as using their executives’ experience to demonstrate past performance. 

Eligibility Criteria for MAS Offers

All offer types require that contractors provide GSA with detailed pricing information for the products and services that they plan to offer on their MAS schedule.

Here are some of the special requirements for each offer type: 

Benefits of Different MAS Offer Types

The process of preparing and submitting a MAS offer can be overwhelming, and selecting the correct offer type is critical.

The Standard 20-Year Offer meets the needs of most companies offering commercial products and services to the government. Existing MAS contractors can take advantage of reduced Streamlined Offer requirements to obtain a new contract for their existing SINs. This ensures they maintain the ability to bid on MAS opportunities, especially Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA).

Joint ventures can submit MAS contract offers but are required to provide information on the JV and all member companies in its submission. Joint ventures and other companies with less than two years of corporate experience are eligible for GSA’s Startup Springboard Program. This allows new companies and startups to compete for a MAS contract using alternative financial and past performance support.

The Bottom Line:

The preparation and submission of a GSA MAS offer is a significant undertaking for any government contractor. Knowing which offer type best fits your company’s circumstances, qualifications, and capabilities before submitting an offer increases your chances of a successful award of a MAS contract. 

Aprio’s Government Contracting practice has provided guidance to hundreds of government contractors through the MAS offer process. Our team can help you develop an offer strategy that results in an effective and profitable MAS contract. Contact Aprio today for assistance with your Multiple Awards Schedule offer.

Related Resources:

• GSA’s Rightsizing Initiative – What Does it Mean for MAS Contractors? 
• GSA 101: Navigating the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)
• An Introduction to Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) OIG Audits
• The Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) and the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)