The question, “What is a GSA Schedule Contract” comes up a lot in the business world. Reason being is because having one can lead to extreme levels of financial success for business owners.
But what is it exactly?
A GSA Schedule Contract is a formal agreement between the Federal Government and a commercial business that allows the General Services Administration (GSA) to purchase a wide range of products and/or services with convenience and ease. This is normally a long-term government contract that has a base period of five years, and can be renewed up to three times totaling 20 years.
A GSA Schedule Contract in the government contracting world is equivalent to having a Master’s degree. GSA is the preferred contract vehicle used for procurement by Federal agencies that provide businesses with preferred vendor status. Procurement officers would rather award a contract to a GSA schedule holder because the business has past performances to show timeliness, quality, and positive delivery of products and/or services.
Benefits of having a GSA Schedule Contract
- Most widely used government contract
- Simplifies the process for the Federal Government to purchase products and services
- Participate in the billions of dollars that are dispersed annually – $40+ billion in annual sales
- Provides a competitive advantage over those without a GSA Schedule Contract
- Allows for a shorter and simplified sales process – average of 15 days vs. 268 days in open-market
The benefits are plentiful and don’t stop there. For a detailed breakdown of the GSA Schedule, check out our GSA Information Guide.
Getting a GSA Schedule Contract
Getting a GSA Schedule contract can be a complex process and can take a few months to two years, depending on contract experience, resources, and the GSA schedule pursued.
The most important decision you must make upfront is whether you choose to take on the application process alone, or seek help from an expert firm to assist you.
We suggest the latter, and here’s why.
It requires a vast time investment.
The application process itself is lengthy to say the least. Vetting a government contracting consulting firm to take on the time involved lends you the ability to keep that valuable resource and put it towards more important activities.
It can be very overwhelming.
The process is perplexing. The questions are difficult to grasp. It’s hard to know where to even begin. Choosing a company who has in-depth experience to all of the methods involved can truly be a stress-level life saver.
A note from Select GCR:
Select GCR is a consulting firm committed to helping small and medium-sized businesses achieve growth through government contracting. We identify the best path to success for each individual business and assist in the completion of all necessary registrations and certifications. Our strategic involvement simplifies the overall process and allows business owners to focus efforts on their principle business activities.
We proudly maintain a 97% approval rate with applications and registrations submitted on behalf of our clients. For more information or assistance, please contact us today here!
