For Vendors - Getting on Schedule

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, governmentwide 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. Particularly, the GSA Schedules program has a strong record of small business achievement. In Fiscal Year 2011, 35 percent, or approximately $13 billion in prime contracting, went to small business.

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 is committed to helping vendors succeed in the government marketplace. To aid you with your decision to get on a GSA Schedule, here is some important information to consider:

Approximately 60 percent of GSA Schedule holders do not meet minimum sales requirements, as established in their contract clause. This means they have earned little or no business after two years on a GSA Schedule. 80 percent of contractors are small businesses.
In fiscal year 2010, approximately 90 percent of government needs were procured outside GSA Schedule contracts.
Over 19,000 contractors have invested in a GSA Schedule contract.
Approximately 40 percent of all GSA Schedule contractors win Government business.
About 5 percent of the GSA Schedule contractors win 80 percent of the business.
The median time to get on Schedule is between 8-9 months.
In general, the more complex your product or service, the more time it takes to get on Schedule.

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 interests.

Keep current with the latest news about the Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) program on our MAS Group blog. You may want to view this Interact Webinar and GSA Training videos to get a better understanding of the federal market and how GSA Schedules play a role. Many companies follow GSA Schedules on Twitter.

Alternatives to Schedules
Although the GSA Schedules program is the premier vehicle for government sales, including both federal, state and local government agencies, it is not the only option. How to Sell to the Government offers a high-level overview of federal purchasing programs and the different ways vendors can participate.

Alternatives to Schedules include: