GSA Schedule 70: Is It Still in Effect?

The GSA schedule 70 contract gives companies the chance to sell to federal government entities. An IDIQ clause is included in the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract known as GSA Schedule 70

GSA Schedule 70: What is it?

A commercial technology vendor called GSA IT 70 has been granted a long-term contract by the US General Services Administration (GSA). The GSA assesses whether the vendor's pricing is reasonable and fair as well as whether the seller complies with all relevant rules and laws. The GSA will issue a Schedule contract if the vendor complies.

One of the 62 Schedule contracts managed by the Government Services Administration is GSA schedule 70. The GSA schedule 70 contract, often known as GSA IT 70, is focused on information technology. Under GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), and more especially, the Office of Integrated Technology Services, the GSA Schedule 70 is organized (ITS).

As a result, the federal government's main source for IT acquisitions is the IT Schedule 70 of the General Services Administration. Additionally, the gsa schedule 70 is well known for its advantages, which include cost savings, time savings, a wide range of options, and built-in value.

By choosing commodities and services from the gsa schedule 70 that have already been created and are pre-competed, government purchasers can make an efficient purchase while saving time and money. To support these claims, GSA made the effort to look into what it takes for a government customer to award its own complete and open contract through the GSA schedule 70 contract.

Results from over 700 contracts show that high-value IT contracts typically take 25 months to complete. Additionally, 77% of the 700 contracts examined were awarded to businesses that have previously held GSA IT 70 contracts.

Is GSA IT Schedule 70 still existent?

The largest and most often used purchase option in the federal government is still the GSA Schedule 70, which is still in existence. Firms can access Special Item Numbers for around one-third of all MAS contractors under the GSA IT Schedule 70 contract.

Additionally, GSA IT Schedule 70 contracts have three extra five-year option periods in addition to a five-year base term.

How does the GSA Schedule 70 function?

GSA Schedule acquisitions are facilitated by full and transparent competition. There is no longer a need for additional review cycles because screenings to ensure that pricing is determined to be "fair and reasonable" and contracts precisely follow all applicable rules and regulations have already been completed.

The GSA IT 70 eliminates the need for protracted and time-consuming conversations by allowing government buyers to make direct purchases from a contractor's GSA Schedule 70 contract.

Additionally, the GSA IT 70 contract enables government buyers to benefit from a broad range of IT solutions, including hardware, software, maintenance, network services, cybersecurity, and expert IT services. The following advantages are especially available to government clients: 

• Built-in Value: Offers an extensive network of resources around the country, including no-cost e-Tools, copious training opportunities, and competent local GSA representatives. 
• Ease of Use: Offers a streamlined online ordering mechanism using Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). 
• Safe-harbor: ensures support with compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). 
• Teaming: Contractor Team Arrangements (CTAs) are fixed, enabling business partners to work together and offer a full solution to satisfy certain client requirements and standards. 
• Variety: Provides access to millions of products and services from over 5,000 industry vendors.

The following platforms are used to access GSA IT 70, one of many contract vehicles made available by the General Services Administration in the federal market:

• GSA Advantage! : The GSA Advantage! the system automates online ordering and shopping by providing access to millions of products and services provided by thousands of contractors. 
• GSA eLibrary: The GSA eLibrary has a wealth of information on contract awards for Schedules, technology contracts, and other sorts of contracts that are necessary to get the lowest costs.

Additional sources for ordering and buying include:

• GSA eBuy: GSA eBuy is a useful acquisition tool that enables customers to save time and money. Through GSA eBuy, contractors can receive requests for quotes from other contractors. 
• e-Resolve: Customers can utilize e-Resolve to report problems with GSA Global Supply orders as well as ask questions about any GSA product or service. 
• SmartPay Card Services: To fulfill and satisfy the needs of its consumers, SmartPay Card Services provides a variety of charge card options.

To be eligible to submit a bid for government contracts, businesses must first visit beta.SAM.gov and obtain the whole request under the solicitation number FCIS-JB-980001-B. The following details must then be sent to GSA by businesses:

1. The DUNS number of Dun & Bradstreet
2. Get a digital certificate
3. Sign up for the Award Management System (SAM)
4. Make the sacrifice:
5. Elements of evaluation
6. Finish SF1449
7. Documentation from the vendor
8. A list of retail prices
9. Point of production
10. Format for Commercial Sales Practices (CSP-1)
11. Matrix of labor categories (for services only)
12. Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) Mechanism Proposed
13. The suggested price list (Offered Pricing)
14. Past Performance Evaluation with Open Ratings

Businesses might choose to find a government reseller and bargain to have their goods or services added to their gsa schedule 70 contract if this seems to be too time-consuming.

Conclusion

The largest procurement vehicle, the gsa schedule 70, which includes about one-third of all MAS contractors, streamlines the procurement processes for IT solutions for federal government clients.

In addition to having access to a wide choice of cutting-edge IT products, services, and solutions, government buyers also help small businesses grow since they make up around 80% of gsa schedule 70 contract holders. The GSA IT Schedule 70 Schedule creates a win-win situation for all parties involved!