The General Services Administration’s Multiple Award Schedule, often called the GSA Schedule or MAS, is one of the best-known contract vehicles in federal government. It allows agencies to buy commercial products and services from pre-approved vendors at pre-negotiated prices, which can make purchasing faster and simpler than running a stand-alone competition.
How the schedule program evolved
GSA’s schedule program dates back decades, and for many years it was divided into numerous separate schedules for different product and service categories. In 2019, GSA began consolidating those schedules into a single Multiple Award Schedule. The consolidated schedule is organized into large categories, subcategories and Special Item Numbers, or SINs, which describe the specific types of products and services a contractor is approved to sell.
How a schedule contract works
A GSA Schedule contract is a long-term, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. Being awarded one does not guarantee any sales. Instead, it gives your firm a place on the vehicle, with approved SINs and prices. Agencies then place orders against schedule contracts, following ordering procedures in the FAR.
Schedule contracts generally have a base period with options that can extend them for many years. Pricing is negotiated with GSA, often with reference to your commercial pricing practices, and contractors must keep their offerings and prices up to date through modifications.
How agencies buy from the schedule
Agencies can use GSA Schedules in a few ways:
- Placing orders directly with a schedule contractor, following the FAR’s ordering procedures
- Issuing requests for quotations to multiple schedule holders, often through GSA eBuy
- Establishing blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) under schedules for recurring needs
Agencies can also set aside schedule orders for small businesses and for socioeconomic categories under certain conditions. Tools like GSA Advantage, an online shopping and ordering system, and GSA eLibrary, which lists schedule holders and their SINs, help buyers find vendors.
Obligations that come with a schedule
Holding a schedule involves ongoing responsibilities. Contractors generally must report sales, pay an industrial funding fee that supports the program, keep pricing and catalog information current, and comply with the clauses in their contract. Some contracts include price reduction obligations tied to commercial pricing or other reporting requirements. GSA can review contract compliance, so careful recordkeeping matters.
Schedule contracts can also be cancelled if sales stay below a minimum threshold over time, so it is important to market actively after award.
Where to learn more
GSA provides training, guides and an offer preparation process on gsa.gov, including resources for new offerors. The FAR’s subpart on Federal Supply Schedules explains ordering procedures from the buyer’s side, and it is worth reading so you understand how agencies will approach your firm. For a deeper look at whether pursuing a schedule makes sense for your business, see our companion article on questions to ask before applying.