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Using GSA Schedules for Professional Services Training

Using GSA Schedules for Professional Services Training

On behalf of the GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), National Capital Region (NCR), Office of Customer Accounts & Research (CAR), we would like to invite you to attend the  "Using GSA Schedules for Professional Services" Training at NO COST to you. 

Training Title:  Using GSA Schedules for Professional Services Training

Training Instructor:  GSA Contracting Officer Brad Powers, Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), Management Services Center (Region 10, Auburn, WA)

Target Audience:  This training is for contracting officers and contract specialists from all Federal Government Agencies and Military Branches.

Training Credits Earned:  5 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs)

Summary:  This training seminar covers the contracting issues raised by ordering agency Contracting Officers in procuring professional services from the GSA Schedules. After defining the scope of the GSA professional service schedules, we review the Request for Quotation (RFQ) and Task Order award processes, particularly the differences between FAR Subpart 8.4 and FAR Part 15 procedures. The Schedule contract itself, including Schedule contract clauses, will be examined. We then explore how to use Contractor Teaming Agreements and Blanket Purchase Agreements for complex or recurring services. This FAR-based training is tailored for those in the GS-1102 Contract Specialist/Officer series, agency Program Managers and others who generate service contract requirements, plan service contract acquisitions, and conduct market research for professional service procurements can also benefit. I make frequent reference to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and we assume some familiarity with elementary GSA Schedules program terminology and basic FAR-based ordering terminology/procedures. This training is certified for 5.0 Continuous Learning Points.

Agenda:

[One Hour] Overview of GSA Professional Services Schedules

GSA multiple-award contracts for services provide Federal agencies with direct access to industry expertise in a broad range of professions, including environmental services, engineering, technology, research & development support, management consulting, training, project management (including construction management), finance, acquisition support, database design, accounting, graphic design, and media. From legal services to sign language interpretation, from running a warehouse and distribution network to preparation of specialized environmental impact studies or even some ancillary repair and alteration, the GSA Schedules offer streamlined methods for the acquisition of innovative and flexible professional services solutions. This presentation covers the professional services included (and excluded) from GSA’s service Schedules with particular emphasis on managerial/organizational consulting, program/project management, environmental services, professional engineering, logistics solutions, and language services.

[10 Minute] Break

[Two Hours] Topics in Task Order Contracting

Once you’ve decided on the appropriate GSA Schedule or Schedules, what are the steps in soliciting, evaluating, and awarding a Schedule Task Order? We will use the GSA Task Order Checklist to review Schedule ordering. We then discuss the RFQ, mixing open-market items with Schedule items, “ODC’s,” different types of task orders (FFP, LH, T&M), best-value task order source selection, and minimizing task order protest risk. How do you know which clauses are included in the Schedule contract? We will review the clauses in the service Schedule contracts, with emphasis on the clauses impacting ordering. In addition, we will discuss best-value evaluation, period of performance, options, protests, socioeconomic preferences, and Schedule contract pricing issues. What does the GSA Contracting Officer do at the Schedule contract level and how does this impact what ordering officers need to/need not do?

[10 Minute] Break

[One Hour] Complex Service Requirements: Contractor Teaming Arrangements & Blanket Purchase Agreements for Services

Learn how your ordering agency can acquire complex and recurring requirements through GSA Schedules. Many comprehensive and complex service requirements can be accommodated under the Schedules program through the use of Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and Contractor Teaming Arrangements (CTAs).

Final Question Period

We look forward to seeing you there!