Office of Small Business Utilization U.S. General Services Administration Pennie Estrada Small Business Utilization Center February 19, 2014 Obtaining a GSA Multiple Award Schedule Understanding the Process

Office of Small Business Utilization U.S. General Services Administration Agenda - Introduction Small Business Utilization Center - Program Purpose - GSA, MAS Program - Participation Criteria – Sales, Certifications, Experience,Time - Downloading The Materials – Elibrary, FBO - Business Decisions – Pros and Cons - Summary & Support - Questions and Answers

Introduction Office of Small Business Utilization The Office of Small Business Utilization promotes and facilitate programs and activities which support an environment that provides nationwide contracting opportunities to all categories of small business owners.

GSA’s Regional Structure 11 Regional Offices Auburn, WA Boston, MA Small Business Utilization Offices/Centers are located in these 11 major metropolitan cities, including a satellite center in Los Angeles, CA. San Francisco, CA Denver, CO Chicago, IL Kansas City, MO Fort Worth, TX Atlanta, GA New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Washington, DC 1

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Glossary of Terms GSA – General Services Administration MAS – Multiple Award Schedule GSA MAS Program – General Services Administration Multiple Award Schedule Program GSA Schedule – abbreviated form of the program name. Schedules Program – abbreviated form of the program name. GSA Schedule Number – The breakdown of program categories such as “Schedule 70 – Information Technology”, “Schedule 72 II – Furnishings”, etc. 1

GSA’s Office of Small Business Utilization GSA Multiple Award Schedules The GSA Schedules program is the premier acquisition vehicle in government, with approximately $50 billion a year in spending or 10 percent of overall federal procurement spending. GSA Schedules are fast, easy, and effective contracting vehicles for both customers and vendors. For GSA Schedules, GSA establishes long-term, government-wide contracts with commercial companies to provide access to millions of commercial products and services at volume discount pricing. GSA is always looking to update the offerings under the GSA Schedules program and aid vendors in being successful in the government marketplace.

GSA Office of Small Business Utilization To be successful under the GSA Schedules program, vendors should be prepared to take necessary steps to be productive in a highly competitive marketplace. Having a GSA Schedule contract is a significant investment on the part of the vendor and GSA. Careful analysis, planning, and proactive steps are required to ensure vendors are successful under the GSA Schedules program

GSA Office of Small Business Utilization Schedules are Government wide contracts with multiple commercial firms Allows firms to receive direct orders for products and/or services from Federal agencies Saves time and money Help agencies meet socio-economic goals DC Government, charitable/international organizations, and authorized government prime contractors can order from schedules contractors

GSA Office Of Small Business Utilization GSA Business Lines Public Building Services – Construction, O&M, services, etc. Federal Acquisition Services - Fee for Service

GSA Office of Small Business Utilization Where and How do I access my schedule solicitation?

Process – Minimum Qualifying Sales – $25,000 in sales per year Certification – Systems Award Management – Small Business Administration – North American Industrial Classification Experience Past Performance Review conducted by Open Ratings Time – Days 1

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GSA Office of Small Business Utilization GSA has developed the Vendor Toolbox which is a collection of resources that will ultimately help you decide whether getting a GSA Schedule contract is in your best interest.Vendor Toolbox

GSA Office of Small Business Utilization READ ME FIRST DOCUMENT Pathway to Success - Designed to assist prospective FSS contractors in making an informed business decision. Readiness Assessment - Designed to assist prospective offerors in researching, analyzing, and deciding whether they are able to compete as an FSS contractor.

GSA Office Of Small Business Utilization Pros and Cons Business Decisions CON Sales Criteria Auditing and Setup Requirements Varied Demand Paperwork Award Process Time Success Not Guaranteed

GSA Office of Small Business Utilization PROS Preferred Source Of Supply Great Earning Potential World Wide Program High Visibility Credibility Potential for Financial Success 5 – 20 Year Contract

GSA Office Of Small Business Utilization

GSA Office of Small Business Utilization SMALL BUSINESS TRAINING Small Business Events Find out dates and locations for GSA sponsored seminars, workshops, meetings, and other events. Small Business Events > Small Business Events > Doing Business with GSA Webinar Series Doing Business with GSA live webinars are free and provide a great resource to learn more about federal procurement policies and procedures.

GSA Office of Small Business Utilization Learn More > Business Breakthrough GSA's Business Breakthrough workshops offers companies with some government contracting experience up-to-date information on how to grow their businesses in the federal marketplace. Learn More > Learn More > Pre-recorded Videos Watch videos to learn more about doing business with the government. Learn More >Learn More > GSA Schedules Program Learn more about GSA's Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) program through its microsite. Access the MAS Desk Reference here > Access the MAS Desk Reference here > Training Materials The materials found here are a companion to both the live and the recorded sessions.

Contracting Opportunities Learn agency website Learn what the agency purchases Meet Federal/DOD Small Business Representatives Obtain Forecast of Contracting Opportunities MUST know your contract and follow terms and conditions. Chambers of Commerce, Contractors Associations, Start small– PAST PERFORMANCE IMPORTANT. Update System Awards Management (SAM) Register with the Electronic Acquisition Notification service Federal Procurement Data System-New Generation) ( Market, Market, Market 1

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) GSA Federal Supply Schedules (Part 8) Set asides - 8(a), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Small Woman Owned Business, Small Business (Part 19) Forecast of Contracting Opportunities. 1

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FORECAST OF CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES 1

GSA Office Of Small Business Utilization Forecast of Contracting Opportunities The GSA Forecast of Contracting Opportunities informs vendors of anticipated contracts offered by GSA for the current fiscal year Available in a downloadable file - Updated daily – Sort opportunities - * NAICs code *Place of performance *Dollar value *Combination of categories

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GSA Office Of Small Business Utilization Additional Assistance - Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) - Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

GSA Office of Small Business Utilization QUESTIONS?

GSA Office Of Small Business Utilization (303) P O Box Denver, CO 80225