Prior to initiating acquisitions from commercial sources, the Contracting Officer must determine whether or not the required supplies or services are available from a Federal Supply Schedule established by the General Services Administration (GSA) or as a common stock item at a GSA supply depot. The GSA negotiates the contract with the vendors and vendor products, service pricing, and terms and conditions are made available in the Schedule.

The Schedule is available to all government agencies to use as a procurement vehicle. This can result in a streamlined procurement process for both vendors and government agencies because instead of negotiating individual contracts with various agencies, vendors can negotiate a contract to get on the GSA Schedule and then the vendors can market the contract as a procurement tool for all government agencies. Over the years, the GSA Schedule contract has become a very important contractual vehicle for government procurement, bringing thousands of federal customers and vendors together. Products and services can also be purchased electronically through GSA Advantage (http://www.gsaadvantage.gov) which is GSA's online shopping and ordering system.

The GSA awards three types of contracts: Single Award Schedule, Multiple Award Schedule and Maintenance and Repair Schedule. The following is a brief description of each:

Single Award Schedule (SAS): One supplier. Items manufactured under Federal Military Specifications or Commercial Item Specific Geographic area. Awarded as a result of sealed bidding.

Multiple Award Schedule (MAS): Multiple suppliers. No guarantee of sales. Indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ contract). Major contractual vehicle for government procurement. Based on discounts from Commercial Price Lists.

Maintenance and Repair: Used for maintenance and repair of in-use property. Mandatory for all departments and independent establishments in the executive branch of the government. Sealed bidding Small Business set aside unless exempt.

Firms interested in getting on the GSA Schedule should contact the Washington, DC Area GSA Business Service Center at (202) 708-5804 or at GSA Schedule web site.