Every year, the U.S federal government awards a percentage of its contracts and purchases to vendors. Being the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, the U.S government buys anything from consultancy to office furniture. However, you have to get listed on the General Services Administration schedule to be able to sell to the federal agencies. Acquiring and maintaining the process of a GSA schedule can be complicated. As a result, it is wise to contact a GSA consultant. GSA consultants understand everything about government contracting. This article focuses on the things you need to know about GSA consultants and how to get on the GSA schedule.
What You Need to Know About GSA Consultants
1. Knowledgeable
A GSA Consultant should know that the GSA Schedule program can be annoying. Nevertheless, they should understand how to go about the whole process until your company is awarded a contract. A reliable GSA consultant should understand the specific requirements, how to get and maintain a schedule contract, and how to utilize your agreement to the fullest.
2. Assessment
A GSA consultant should be able to assess the likelihood of you succeeding in the national market. Your consultant should advise you on the best products or services to consider to fit in the GSA format. The most delicate parts of the GSA schedule proposal are the commercial sales practice and basics of contract award. Your consultant should assist you in coming up with a contract that complies with Federal Acquisition laws and at the same time is helpful to you and the government.
3. Price
Fees for GSA consultation differs from one firm to another. However, the cost ranges from about $6,000 to $15,000 for a full service. Almost any consultant can get you a GSA contract. However, an experienced consultant will deliver more quickly and efficiently compared to others. Make sure you visit their websites to see the value and credibility of each consultant before engaging yourself.
How to Get on the GSA Schedule
Getting on the GSA Schedule is not an easy task. However, GSA Scheduler can help you with this process. While some GSA workshops focus on small businesses, others target information technology and service products. You can check training resources such as the Vendor Support Center and self-study training to get on the GSA schedule.
For small businesses, you can use web-based courses to help you access and maintain government sales, and increase future sales. You can also visit Small Business Utilization (SBU) centers, which are located within GSA’s offices all over the country. You can use the web to access online training on GSA. Vendor Support Center is an online resource where you can find information, reviews, report sales, and much more. Vendor Support Center is ideal for new contractors since it helps people to decide whether GSA Schedule is a good match for your company. Additionally, the center provides tips on marketing with the government after the contract award.
