Is Consulting for GSA Schedules Expensive?

GSA consulting services are less expensive than you would assume.

This article is for you if you're still undecided about whether to conduct the complete GSA Schedule preparation and proposal submission in-house or employ a third-party GSA Schedule consulting business. We've gathered all of the data you'll need to decide. A common misconception is that GSA Consulting is prohibitively expensive for small businesses. We're going to show you that this isn't true. Continue reading!

GSA CONSULTING FIRM TYPES

Let's be honest: not all GSA consulting firms are created equal. Costs, services offered, delivery timeframes, and reliability vary widely among agencies. In general, all GSA Contract consultants fall into one of two categories: 

• GSA consulting firms that provide only a portion of their services
• Full-service Consulting businesses that work with the GSA

HOW MUCH DOES CONSULTING FOR THE GSA SCHEDULE COST?

After reading the foregoing, you may believe that hiring a GSA consulting firm is out of your price range. Don't put your faith in it. Let's do a quick calculation to determine if it's better to stick to in-house GSA contract preparation or outsource this task to an agency.

In-house

If you opt to handle everything related to your GSA Schedule contract in-house, you'll need to delegate this responsibility to one of your workers, either part-time or full-time. She or he would need a place to work.

If this individual works part-time for the GSA, he or she will presumably have to dedicate a portion of his or her time to other responsibilities. That is not the best option unless you are prepared for some of your major responsibilities to be jeopardized as a result. Furthermore, your in-house staff may not be fully conversant with the government purchasing system. As a result, there's a chance that supplied documents may contain errors, that chances will be missed, that forms will be incorrectly filled, that compliance concerns will arise, and so on. Of course, we are not claiming that all of these will occur. However, based on our previous experience, that is a very likely consequence.

Overall, the GSA Schedule costs about $15,000-$17,000 if done in-house.

Companies that provide only a portion of their services

Even if you only want to delegate a portion of the process to a third-party business, hiring GSA Schedule consultants is a good option. Because the GSA's standards are so high, even minor assistance is appreciated. This approach will undoubtedly save you money, but keep in mind that you are still responsible for numerous areas that the partial-service agency does not cover. This essentially indicates that you must still appoint a person to that task; however, a part-time solution is acceptable in this circumstance.

The cost of engaging a partial-help GSA consulting firm, plus the cost of part-time in-house staff, is roughly $5000.

Firms that provide a complete service

When it comes to all-inclusive organizations, how much does GSA consultancy cost? Let's see what happens. In all interactions and communications with the GSA, a full-cycle GSA consulting organization acts entirely on your side and legally represents you. This indicates that only a small portion of GSA contractual activity, such as signing agreements, making crucial decisions, establishing strategies, and so on, cannot be delegated. The full-service firm assists you with document preparation, form completion, contract negotiation, and (if necessary) clarification of certain GSA contract terms and conditions. The costs of such services appear to be higher. In general, you may anticipate paying between $20,000 and $25,000.

Does it appear to be more expensive than doing it in-house? Not so fast, my friend. Keep in mind that you're getting an all-inclusive package! Because 90 percent of first GSA applications are rejected, the penalty of a single error is prohibitively expensive. Surely, your in-house expert can devote his time examining the Federal Acquisition Regulation, creating perfect documentation for GSA submission, and securing a GSA contract with flying colors for you. But what are the possibilities that you currently have such an individual on your payroll?

A full-service firm, on the other hand, ensures a faster application, a higher likelihood of approval due to zero errors in the submission documents, lower rates as a consequence of negotiation, and a positive connection with the GSA contracting officer (this bonus will pay off in the future). Furthermore, a full-service firm will maintain your GSA contract long after it has been awarded (see below), promptly resolving any issues that arise.

Keep in mind that the cost of a GSA schedule consultation is determined by a variety of criteria, including your industry, competition in your GSA category on the federal market, the structure of your company, labor categories, commercial practices, and so on.

Know About 5 Years GSA Schedule Contracts to Understand the Time Period

If you want to obtain a 5 years GSA contract then before submitting your offerings to the GSA, there are some basic areas that you need to review. Consider these areas before pursuing GSA Schedule contracts.

 

The GSA Schedule is a long-term governmentwide contract. These contracts between the federal agencies and contractors have a definite time duration. Millions of commercial products and services are available to federal customers. These products and services are offered at reasonable and balanced prices to the federal agencies due to the GSA Schedule program.

The blog will give an idea about the time frame which will help readers to understand the stages of the contract. The years of the GSA Schedule contract are divided into various kinds of activities and concerns.

So that is why it is important to understand all the stages of GSA contracts. Therefore, readers must be aware of all the 5 years of GSA Schedule contracts.  

Gather experience at first

If you have a business with no experience then you need to wait. So, if you have a start-up company then it is most likely you need to wait before diving into obtaining GSA Schedule contracts. It is because commercial companies or contractors need to provide at least 2 years of financial documents.

Basically, applicants for 5 year GSA contracts need to gather an ample amount of experience and generate revenue to obtain GSA Schedule contracts. Your company must have at least 2 years of experience. That is why gathering experience is necessary before diving into the procurement process of government contracting.

In case, you are going to pursue IT Schedule 70 then there is a program designed by the government of the United States. This program is called ‘Start-up spring board’. By getting to this program you can submit even without having 2 years of experience. The GSA Schedule contracts continue for 20 years. The duration of each option or phase is 5 years that can be renewed 3 times.

How much time does it take to obtain a GSA Schedule contract?

In order to obtain a 5 year GSA contract, you need to have patience and go through the process which is time-consuming. The time duration for obtaining a GSA schedule contract can be divided into 2 parts. Each part has specific concerns and activities associated with the process.

Time duration for making preparation for your proposal. The review process of your proposal by GSA and the time period for negotiation of your contract award. If you can understand these two parts then going through the process of the GSA Schedule contract would be clear to you.

It takes time to make preparations for getting the desired outcome. It can take anywhere from a few months to over a year to prepare your proposal on your own. After finishing the preparation of your proposal you can submit it to the GSA.

The second stage is the time period for reviewing the proposal that you have sent to the GSA. Going through the process of reviewing this stage will determine whether you will be able to a 5 year GSA contract or not. The time of reviewing process varies depending on the category of the GSA Schedule that you are pursuing in the federal market. The review process can take up to 2 to 3 months on average. If your proposal gets accepted then you will be able to obtain a GSA Schedule contract for the first 5 years. 

Renewal of GSA Schedule Contract

We have already said that the 5 year GSA contract continues for 20 years. Once your proposal gets accepted by the GSA then you will be able to obtain the contract which will have 5 years duration. After each 5-year period, you can renew your GSA Schedule contract. In this way, you can continue for 20 years. This is an option for extension of the GSA Schedule contract. With the option of 3 times renewal, the time period is divided into 4 sections and each section contains 5 years option period. You will be getting an email regarding a contract option extension from the contracting officer. They will send you an email six months before to give you a remainder. So basically, 5 years GSA contracts can be extended up to 20 years.

Conclusion

So start preparing for your government contracting goals and acquire a GSA Schedule contract for the first 5 years. We understand it is a time-consuming process but it is worth putting effort to generate stable income for 20 years. Make sure to stay committed for a long time as these are long-term contracts that can be extended up to 20 years.

So Far, the GSA has Had a Busy 2022: Inflation, 876, and a New Strategy.

The Federal Acquisition Service has had one of its busiest six months in recent memory, with the General Services Administration's upcoming spring GSA schedule 2022 update to its federal marketplace strategy.

It's difficult to recall a period when FAS had to deal with so many moving parts. Since January, the changes and updates have come fast and furious, from the long-awaited transition to the Universal Entity Identification number (UEID) from the DUNS number to the now-much-maligned Polaris small business governmentwide acquisition contract (GWAC), to the unexpected challenges brought on by inflation, which affects nearly every aspect of the public and private sectors.

So, in case you missed some of GSA's critical work over the last few months, here's a quick rundown. This isn't an exhaustive list; rather, it emphasizes some of the most important memos, chances, and objects you may have overlooked.

GSA Schedule 2022 Federal Marketplace Strategy

Through the GSA schedule 2022 and GWACs that the FAS regulates, Sonny Hashmi, the organization's commissioner, continues to make the purchasing and selling experience easier.

GSA has announced that it would undertake a new buyer experience effort based on human-centered design to achieve this goal.

In an April 13 statement, GSA stated, "This breakthrough will eliminate pain points that federal agency purchasers, suppliers, and GSA acquisition experts have identified in feedback." "The improved buyer experience will provide buyers with acquisition tools and market research solutions, as well as paperwork, templates, and price resources to aid in acquisition planning."

GSA stated that its intentions with these news tools are standard, such as lowering responsibilities and streamlining the client agency's experience.

However, when you delve a little further, you'll find that FAS is attempting to solve several long-standing criticisms about its menu.

Inflation adjustments are still on the way.

Contractors requesting assistance to deal with the nation's 7.9% inflation were immediately responded to by the GSA.

On March 17, GSA's senior procurement officer, Jeff Koses, and FAS's Office of Policy and Compliance's associate commissioner, Mark Lee, temporarily modified restrictions around the Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) contract terms.

• Reduce the contracting director's approval for price hikes beyond the EPA clause ceiling to one level above the contracting officer;
• Reduce the time limits on EPA increases;
• Limits on the number of EPA increases a contractor can request should be relaxed; and
• GSA will not enforce the prohibition on adding the same item back at a higher price if a contractor has deleted an item from their Schedule contract.

"While EPA clauses are meant to protect GSA's interests, they are making it more difficult for federal agencies to get important goods, services, and solutions in today's market." Contractors are eliminating products from the Federal Supply Schedules contracts to avoid selling at a loss. In the memo, Koses and Lee write that "this damage new entrants and small businesses, the same enterprises that the President's procurement equity measures are designed to aid." "To guarantee that it can continue to offer a broad choice of products, services, and solutions, GSA must be flexible in how it implements these EPA contract terms." Despite the enhanced flexibility, contracting officers must still review price increases and decide whether to accept, negotiate, or remove items from the underlying contract.

The memo, according to the GSA, is still in effect until September 30.

While contractors praised GSA's fast response, the Coalition for Government Procurement has expressed concerns about how FAS contracting officers are putting the memo into practice.

The issue with any of these memos is getting it down to the contracting officers, and then ensuring that it is implemented consistently once they are aware of it.

The fact that FAS appears to be trying to reduce consistent changes to its contracting officers is troubling, especially considering that agencies have not adequately accounted for inflation and its impact on vendors.

For example, the Defense Department forecasted a 4% increase in inflation. On April 5, senior DoD officials told Congress that the military is currently facing the effects of a greater inflation rate than expected. The Department of Defense, on the other hand, has not disclosed any calculations on reduced purchasing power.

It'll be interesting to see how large of impact inflation becomes in the coming months, especially since agencies must spend six months' worth of cash in that time.

On Schedules, price is still a consideration.

One final decision made by the GSA based on GSA schedule 2022 that may have gone unnoticed by you occurred in February and was made public in March.

GSA opted not to use its authority under Section 876 of the 2019 Defense Authorization Act to exclude price as an evaluation factor when awarding a contract for its schedules program.

GSA decided that keeping pricing at the contract level, rather than the task order level, preserves the MAS program's present value after a series of listening sessions with industry and agency clients.

"Customer agencies raised grave reservations about transferring the pricing negotiating requirement from the contract to the order level. "The majority of agencies noted that this shift will considerably diminish the value of MAS contracts," GSA wrote in a blog post on March 23 based on GSA schedule 2022. "Stakeholders in the industry were split. It was acknowledged by some that it would save time. Others were concerned about internal market research and procurement acquisition lead time (PALT) at the order level."

GSA claimed in a white paper that an integrated project team held six listening sessions with agency and industry clients and came up with a list of "benefits" and "cons," as well as dangers.

The ability to minimize the workload of GSA's contracting officers, as well as industry support for the change, are both reasons why GSA should implement 876 authority under the scheduling program.

Meanwhile, there were a large number of reasons why the 876 authorities should not be implemented. GSA schedule2022, currently ensures competitive rates at the contract level, and agencies can ask for further savings at the order level based on volume buying, and contracting officers wouldn't have to undertake a formal, negotiated procurement at the order level, as required by FAR Part 15.

Know About the Time Frame Of 5 Years GSA Schedule Contract

If you are looking forward to getting a GSA contract, there are basic areas that you need to review before submitting your offerings to the GSA. Make sure to consider these areas before investing time and money in pursuing a GSA Schedule contract. 

This blog will let you know about all the time duration which will help you understand the phases of the contract. All the years of contracts are segmented into various concerns and activities.

The GSA Schedule is a long-term governmentwide contract with commercial companies and federal contractors. Federal customers get access to millions of commercial products and services at reasonable and balanced prices.

After reading this piece of content you will be able to understand the time frames of the GSA Schedule contract vividly. So let’s understand the 5 years GSA contract.

Two years in business

You need to provide two years of financial documents, so if you have a start-up company then it is most likely you need to wait. So basically, applicants for GSA Schedule contracts need to gather enough experience and generate revenue in order to obtain GSA Schedule contracts. You must have at least two years of experience before you dive into the procurement process of contracting.

However, there is an exception! If you are going to pursue IT Schedule 70 then there is a program called ‘Start-up Springboard’. It will allow you to submit without having 2 years of experience.

Remember that GSA contracts last for 20 years. These are 5 years options with 3 renewals.

How long does it take to acquire a GSA Schedule contract?

The time duration of acquiring a GSA Schedule contract has been divided into two parts.

• Preparation for your proposal.

• The review process of your proposal by GSA and negotiation of your contract award.

It takes quite a long time to make adequate preparation. You can choose to prepare a proposal by yourself, but remember it can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. Once you are done preparing your proposal you can submit it to GSA.

Reviewing process is considered to be the second stage which will determine whether you will get a GSA Schedule contract or not. The review time may vary depending on the category of the GSA Schedule that you are pursuing. The process of reviewing may take up to three to four months. Once your proposal is accepted you can get into the 5 years GSA contract.

What is a GSA Schedule option extension?

When you are done obtaining a GSA Schedule contract, it is divided into four sections. Each section contains 5 years option period. In total the time duration of the GSA Schedule contract becomes 20 years.

Six months before starting your 5 years option period, your contracting officer will send you an email regarding a contract option extension. This type of extension is needed to renew your contract for the next 5 years. So the 5 years GSA contracts can be extended up to twenty years. 

Summary

Here is the summary of the complete timeframe of the GSA Schedule contract. Do check the list given below for a better understanding.

• Each section of the GSA contract duration is five years. That is why it is known as 5 year GSA contract. 
• You need to submit at least two years of financial documents. 
• You need to gather at least two years of experience. 
• With IT Schedule 70 you can obtain a GSA Schedule contract without gathering any experience. 
• GSA Schedule contracts last for twenty years.
• There are three renewals available to continue the contract for twenty years.
• It takes a few months to over a year to prepare a proposal for acquiring a GSA Schedule contract. 
• The reviewing process of a proposal may take three to four months though it varies depending on the category. 
• GSA Schedule contract is divided into four sections of five years. 
• With the extension option, you can continue to be engaged with the GSA contract for the next five years.

Conclusion

As we can understand that acquiring a GSA Schedule contract is a time-consuming process so it is better if you don’t waste any more time and start preparing for your goals. 5 year GSA contractis quite a long time and that is why these contracts are considered to be a stablesource of income. You can extend the period of your contract up to twenty years, so you need to stay committed for a long time.

 

Things You Need to Know About GSA IT Schedule 70

GSA Schedule 70 is a long-term contract issued by the General Services Administration of the United States to commercial technology vendors or businesses. If a vendor gets awarded a Schedule contract then it signifies that the vendor has set prices that are fair and reasonable. It also signifies that the vendor adheres to all the laws and regulations.

GSA Schedule 70 is a widely used acquisition vehicle in the federal, state, and local government. It provides easy access to innovative information technology products, services, and solutions from leading industry vendors or IT businesses.

So let’s dig deeper and understand all the important aspects of GSA IT Schedule 70.

What does GSA Schedule 70 actually mean?

It is basically the Information Technology category of the MAS program. The MAS program of the GSA Schedule in the IT category offers IT Services, Software, Hardware, and a variety of specialty IT offerings. It is considered to be one of the largest government contracts. The GSA IT schedule contract has been the largest moneymaker for the GSA for decades. The IT Schedule 70 is a Multiple Award Schedule contract under the GSA Schedule Program. It serves as the procurement vehicle for IT products, software, and professional services that are related to Information Technology.

Why get a GSA Schedule 70 contract?

Do you want to grow the credentials of your IT business? Then you can opt for obtaining GSA Schedule 70 contract. It is because the IT contractors that sell IT products, software, and professional services often consider pursuing GSA IT Schedule Contract 70 to grow their federal business prospects. So you can opt for obtaining GSA Schedule 70 to grow and build a positive record that can help you get many other government contracts.       

The GSA Schedule program contains the GSA Schedule 70. This GSA Schedule 70 is the largest in the GSA Schedule program by sales and the competition. The report says that the average amount of revenue of a GSA Schedule 70 Contractor is about $3 million every year. By obtaining GSA Schedule 70 Contract, the scope of growing your business is too high in the long run.

In the beginning, the Schedule 70 Contract was used to sell to the federal buyers. State, Municipal, and other local government agencies can purchase through a program called the Cooperative Purchasing & Disaster Recovery program.

The federal government of the United States mostly uses the GSA IT Schedule 70 as a major source for making IT purchases in a more simplified manner. The value is being enjoyed by the federal buyers as it saves time as well as money. 

Top GSA Schedule 70 categories

GSA Schedule 70 has four basic categories of Special Item Numbers that you should know.

• Professional IT services 
• IT hardware 
• Software and Maintenance 
• Cybersecurity

Conclusion

So if you have an IT business or you are an IT contractor then look forward to obtain GSA Schedule 70 which will boost your business quickly. The long-term contract will help you to generate stable revenue throughout the year and your business will be growing rapidly if things go properly. The GSA IT Schedule 70 is specifically designed for IT businesses or vendors who are selling IT products and services to federal agencies, so don’t neglect and grab the opportunity to make a remarkable position in the market.

Top Things to Look for in a GSA Consulting Provider

Are you looking for GSA consulting services right now? You're probably aware that hiring a consultant can assist you to improve your chances of landing a GSA contract. Scheduled purchases now account for 21% of total federal procurement. This 21% equates to $42 billion per year. Being a GSA contract holder is required to sell to the federal government. Your preparedness will be aided by a GSA services provider. However, not all service providers are created equal. Selecting a credible and successful GSA Consulting Firm necessitates a thorough vetting process:

Will the consultant's services be whole or partial?

The difference between full-service and partial-service is crucial since the rates will vary depending on the breadth of the service. Additionally, if you do not have GSA-experienced employees and are applying for the first time, a full-service provider will make the process easier for you. If you have no or little experience with the GSA application, hiring a partial service provider will cost you more in terms of hours spent in-house on GSA-related work than the service provider's costs.

How many GSA schedules do they manage each month, and what is their success rate?

This piece of information will be crucial in making your decision. You may get an indication of how experienced and successful a consultant is by asking them how many applications they process every month and what percentage of those applications are successful. A success rate that isn't backed up by the number of cases is deceptive. Although a GSA consulting services provider may claim to have a 100% success rate, they may only have completed a tiny number of applications. As a result, they may lack the necessary expertise.

The GSA classification of the company and the skill of the service provider

Matching the scope of your company's past performance to GSA categories is a skill that can only be learned via experience. This is an essential first step, therefore your GSA consulting service provider should be well-versed in it. Ask as many questions as you can to see how much experience they have with this. If you choose an unskilled GSA Consultant, you could end up paying thousands of dollars if they are delayed or useless.

The procedure for preparing documents

A GSA application necessitates the preparation and submission of 20 to 30 documents by your GSA Specialist. The fact that a GSA service provider has an in-depth understanding of the paperwork and can create them for you is the most compelling argument to hire them. The firm's document preparation procedure should be well-organized. They should be able to take care of the paperwork on your behalf with minimal participation from you.

Services for post-submission

Negotiations and Clarifications:

Following submission, a competent GSA consulting service provider will be critical in handling the explanations and negotiating process. An untrained service provider might cause a lot of harm in this situation. Many terminologies in the GSA are rigid. You will be protected if you have an experienced consultant assisting you when dealing with the GSA.

Post Award:

After all of your hard work pays off and you're won a GSA contract, a skilled adviser will first register your business. The firm will also compile and upload your catalog file, among other things, to get your business set up in the GSA system as soon as possible.

Compliance and Maintenance:

Make sure that the GSA service provider you choose offers continuing assistance for the duration of your contract. This will aid you with contract renewal and maintenance.

In conclusion

Looking for the above-mentioned points and asking these questions will assist you in finding an experienced GSA consulting services provider who will help you with your GSA application and enhance your chances of receiving a GSA contract by a factor of ten. However, in addition to the aforementioned considerations, you should also consider the following steps before choosing a GSA service provider.

Notice if the GSA consultant is willing to listen to you while speaking with them. Or are they simply trying to offer you their service without bothering to enquire about your requirements? If you choose a GSA consulting service provider who is only interested in generating a sale, you may encounter difficulties during the process since they are unconcerned about your business. They see you as a money-making machine, as evidenced by the fact that they demand full payment up ahead.

What you Should Know About GSA Consultants and How to Become a GSA Scheduled Contractor

The federal government of the United States awards a percentage of its contracts and purchases to vendors every year. The US government, as the world's greatest buyer of goods and services, purchases everything from consulting to office equipment. To sell to government agencies, you must first get listed on the General Services Administration's calendar. Getting a GSA schedule contract and keeping it up to date can be difficult. As a result, it's a good idea to speak with a GSA consultant. GSA experts are well-versed in all aspects of government contracting. This post explains everything you should know about GSA consultants and how to get on the schedule.

How to work with GSA schedule contract consultants for the government

The following are the most important factors to consider:

1. Any consultant you're thinking about hiring should complete their research. That is, they should be able to tell you explicitly which course they would propose for your company and why. There are numerous methods to sell to the federal government, but it is our responsibility as advisors to ensure that we are guiding you down the most profitable path.
2. Examine and compare pricing. This does not always imply picking the cheapest path, but rather considering quality, experience, and saving time.
3. Be aware of the people you'll be working with. Are you going to be allocated to a group? Will there be a single point of contact?
4. The consultant you hire should be eager to learn about your company. This takes time, but it is a crucial step in becoming successful.
5. Get your homework done. Request references, read online reviews, check with the Better Business Bureau, and search for the company's incorporation details. We also highly advise that they evaluate their SAM registration for possible debarment.

Though we advocate looking at all of the above, the plan that each government contract consultant has for your company will determine whether or not they can help.

GSA Consultants: What You Should Know

1. Well-informed

The GSA schedule contract program may be aggravating, as any GSA Consultant knows. Nonetheless, they should be aware of how to proceed along with the procedure until your firm is awarded a contract. A reputable GSA consultant should be familiar with the specific requirements, how to obtain and manage a scheduled contract, and how to make the most of your agreement.

2. Evaluation

A GSA consultant should be able to tell you whether you have a chance in the national market. Your consultant should be able to advise you on the finest products or services to consider for the GSA. The commercial sales practice and contract award essentials are the most delicate aspects of the GSA timetable proposal. Your consultant should help you draft a contract that conforms with Federal Acquisition Laws while also being beneficial to both you and the government.

3. Cost

The cost of a GSA consultation varies depending on the firm. A thorough service, on the other hand, can cost anything from $6,000 to $15,000. A GSA schedule contract can be obtained by almost any consultant. In comparison to others, an experienced consultant will deliver more promptly and efficiently. Before hiring a consultant, make sure to check out their websites to determine how valuable and credible they are.

How to Obtain a Position on the GSA schedule contract

It's not easy to get on the GSA Schedule. GSA Schedule, on the other hand, can assist you with this procedure. Small firms are the emphasis of certain GSA workshops, while information technology and service items are the focus of others. To get on the GSA timetable, look into tools like the Vendor Support Center and self-study courses.

Web-based training can assist small firms to gain access to and keep government purchases, as well as grow future sales. You can also go to one of GSA's Small Business Utilization (SBU) centers, which are situated throughout the country. GSA online training is available via the internet. The Vendor Support Center is an online resource where you may access information, reviews, and sales reports, among other things. The Vendor Support Center is appropriate for new contractors because it assists them in determining whether the GSA schedule contract is a good fit for their business. The center also offers advice on how to sell to the government when the contract is awarded.