GSA strives to provide
the broadest selection of quality products and services at the
lowest possible price. At GSA we appreciate your business and
strive to provide acquisition tools that will help you get the
job done in the least amount of time and cost. Listed below
are some terms and other information applicable to GSA
Advantage online ordering.
Sources of
Supply
GSA Advantage is a shopping solution
that provides products and services from our stock, special
order and MAS programs. Included are products from both UNICOR
and AbilityOne. Items available from these mandatory sources are
highlighted in GSA Advantage. Items from our various supply
programs can be identified as follows:
- GSA stocked items will have a NSN and will be
shown as 2-7 day delivery with Global Supply listed as the contractor.
- GSA special order items are not stocked but will
have an NSN and will be listed with Global Supply as the contractor.
Delivery time will vary for these direct delivery items.
- MAS items typically are shown with a manufacturer
part number (although some have NSNs). The MAS contractor
name will be shown and delivery will vary for these direct
delivery items.
NSN Items
Not Carried by GSA Advantage
There are a few
NSN items managed by GSA that are not available through GSA
Advantage due to low demand or lack of contract coverage
(primarily non-stocked NSN items). However, these NSNs can be
ordered on GSA Advantage using the FEDSTRIP function. Expect
longer delivery times for these buy-on-demand items.
Pricing
GSA strives to present
the most current and accurate pricing on GSA Advantage. Prices
for GSA supplied NSN items are updated daily. Pricing shown in
GSA Advantage for MAS products and services is the
responsibility of the MAS contractors who may update their
prices at any time. MAS contractors are required to
honor the price shown in GSA Advantage when they receive an
order.
BPA pricing: GSA Advantage contains a
number of agency Blanket Purchase Agreements that contain
discounted pricing available for certain authorized agencies.
Once logged into Advantage, you will be shown BPA pricing if
you are an agency authorized to purchase from the BPA. BPA
items will contain an icon and will also contain a link to the
BPA terms and conditions.
A word about pricing
for services: You are the key to a best value
selection. While GSA has made the determination that the labor
hour for a skill category awarded on a service schedule is a
fair and reasonable price, GSA has not determined that the
level of effort or mix of labor proposed in response to any
specific requirement represents the best value for you. When
buying services that require a statement of work, you make the
determination that the level of effort and mix of skills
proposed for your specific effort represents the best value.
This is why GSA has special ordering procedures for services
that require a statement of work.
Contractors will
sharpen their pencils for large orders to get the business.
Effective use of the MAS program requires your engagement in
the process. While GSA has determined that the price on any
specific MAS is fair and reasonable, it is a proven best
practice to seek out additional price discounts and/or
concessions when ordering.
Consider using e-Buy for
obtaining quotes from contractors for the acquisition of
services. You may access e-Buy through GSA Advantage or at https://www.ebuy.gsa.gov/.
How and when your credit card is charged
GSA Requisitions
If you place an order for a GSA item, you will be charged after the item is shipped.
This will vary depending on whether you have line item or consolidated billing.
This billing option is controlled by you in
your GSA Advantage profile. If you select line item billing, your card will be charged
after each individual item is shipped.
If you select consolidated billing, your card will be charged after all ordered items are shipped.
Orders Placed with Vendors
If you place an order with a vendor, you will be charged once all items are shipped.
Delivery
GSA stock
and special order NSNs (requisitions): Orders for
products and services from GSA Advantage are transmitted to
the GSA supply system daily (for GSA stock and special order
NSN items). Delivery time for GSA stock items is 2-7 days
delivered (within CONUS) after receipt of order (ARO). We
strive to have all stock orders delivered within this
timeframe; however, delivery may be longer in some instances.
Delivery to overseas locations, Alaska, Hawaii and other US
territories will take a little longer. Delivery time for GSA
non-stocked items varies and is displayed with the item. This
is an estimated delivery time.
MAS orders
(purchase orders): Orders for MAS products or
services are not placed with GSA, instead they are sent
electronically to the MAS contractor for fulfillment. The MAS
contractor is responsible for delivery, problem resolution and
billing. Delivery time for schedule products and services will
vary. These delivery times are provided by the contractor and
in some cases represent the longest delivery time expected.
You may wish to contact the contractor to discuss a shorter
delivery time if needed. For those items listed as 1-day
delivery, please be aware that your order needs to be placed
before 3:00 PM Eastern Time to receive delivery the next day.
For most MAS items, delivery to overseas locations will in
many cases take longer than the delivery time posted. Some MAS
contractors may not deliver to overseas locations so you may
want to contact the contractor in these instances.
GSA NSN
Stock Status
Status for GSA stock items is
updated once daily. Since stock is being depleted continually
the stock status is actually a snapshot of the stock position
at that time. Though usually reliable, the stock status could
become inaccurate for certain items having significant
activity that day. Contractor stock status is unavailable
through GSA Advantage. Please contact the contractor directly
to determine if they have stock readily available.
Ordering Open Market Items
GSA Advantage currently does not allow you to add or order open market or incidental items.
Billing
and Payment
Credit card authorization and billing:
Upon checkout, GSA will obtain a credit
card authorization only for GSA stock or special order NSN
items ordered. Your card will not be billed until the items
are shipped. Authorization and billing for MAS item purchases
will be conducted by the schedule contractor, not GSA. MAS
contractors have been instructed to bill only after shipment
is made. For more information on the use of the
Government-wide purchase card, view the Contract Guide, and click on
"Master Contract, Terms and Conditions".
Credit card expiration policy: GSA
Advantage will prompt you to update your credit card whenever
there are 20 days or less remaining on your card. (Most
renewed credit cards are issued 30 days in advance of the old
card's expiration date.) You will be unable to purchase using
a card having 20 days or less. This is because GSA Advantage
does not authorize your card for MAS orders. MAS orders are
passed to the contractor. The contractor does not bill the
card until shipment. Unfortunately, due to longer lead-times,
credit cards with only a few days remaining before expiration
are often invalid by the time the contractor attempts to
authorize the transaction.
Credit Card Security Codes:
Credit Card Security Codes are more frequently being requested by vendors.
Due to security constraints, GSA Advantage does not currently provide the ability
to enter the security code; however, we are looking into it. Consequently, some
vendors may choose to contact you for this information. If a vendor contacts you
about your credit card security code, we suggest asking the vendor to provide the
purchase order number for verification before giving them the security code.
What is a Security Code?
The security code is a three or four-digit number which provides a cryptographic
check of the information embossed on the card. It is not the same as the credit
card number. This code helps validate that the customer placing the order actually
has the credit card in his/her possession, and that the credit card account is legitimate.
Where can I find the Security Code?
Visa/MasterCard
Flip your card over and look at the signature box. You should see either the entire
16-digit credit card number or just the last four digits followed by a special
3-digit code. This 3-digit code is your Security Code.
Activity Address Code: Purchases made
using an Activity Address Code (AAC or DoDAAC) account will be
billed by GSA to your agency via the Treasury/IPAC system.
Most purchases using an AAC will be for GSA NSN items;
however, civilian agencies may use the AAC to purchase
schedule items. In this case, the contractor is instructed to
invoice the agency's finance office directly. Military
customers may no longer purchase schedule items using a DoDAAC
(DoD policy).
Prompt payment discounts:
There are no prompt pay discounts for GSA stock or
special order NSNs. Prompt pay discounts offered by the MAS
contractor are displayed on the Product Detail page and will
also appear on the purchase order. The standard prompt pay
terms for MAS program products and services are NET 30 days
unless otherwise specified.
Order
Problems
MAS order problems:
As stated earlier, orders for MAS products or services are not
placed with GSA, instead they are sent electronically to the
MAS contractor for fulfillment. The MAS contractor is
responsible for delivery, problem resolution and billing. GSA
can assist with some order problems but the MAS contractor is
the best source for solving problems. Please contact the
contractor directly if you have problems with a MAS order.
GSA stock and special order NSNs: You
can report order problems via GSA Advantage through the
following means:
GSA
Requisitions: If you have a problem with a GSA NSN
order, go to your order history, locate the item, and click on
the requisition number. You will be taken to a report which
allows you to indicate the type of discrepancy, and submit it
directly.
Schedule
Purchase Order Problems: If you have a problem with a
Schedule purchase order, please contact the vendor directly.
If necessary, GSA will assist you - simply e-mail gsa.advantage@gsa.gov
and provide a description of the discrepancy, the vendor
name/information, and the actions taken.
Overseas
Ordering Instructions
In order to ensure that your orders are processed successfully; overseas customers using a credit card for purchase are required to provide additional shipping address and transportation accounting information. GSA Advantage will prompt you when this information is required.
Overseas customers:
For GSA Advantage purposes, an "overseas" customer is any customer using an OCONUS ship-to address
(i.e. other than 48 contiguous states). Additional information needed below is optional for Alaska, Hawaii,
Puerto Rico, and US Territories.
Additional shipping information needed (credit card customers only):
Overseas orders fall within two categories - those that can be mailed through your APO/FPO mailbox, and those
that cannot be mailed (i.e. must be sent as freight shipment). Since GSA Advantage transmits many orders to MAS
contractors for direct shipment, it is not known at the time the order is placed whether the contractor will
mail the order through the APO/FPO or will send it to a US Consolidation Point (CP). Some contractors who
use UPS, FEDEX, etc. will not ship to APO/FPO addresses regardless of the package size, and will instead
ship to consolidation points. GSA Advantage must therefore require the following addresses to cover all
possibilities:
- Your APO/FPO address: Most overseas activities use an APO (Army/Air Force Post Office)
or FPO (Fleet Post Office) mailing address. Packages sent through an APO/FPO must not exceed certain weight
and size limitations (usually 70 pounds and box girth must not exceed 130"). Orders not exceeding this
limitation may be mailed via USPS to the APO/FPO. Orders exceeding this limitation cannot be sent to an APO
or FPO and must instead be sent as freight, usually through a US consolidation point or freight forwarder.
- Your US Consolidation Point (or freight
forwarder):
GSA Advantage requires all overseas customers to be assigned a consolidation point or freight forwarder.
During the checkout process GSA Advantage will provide you with a default CP address that you may simply
accept. This is required once. If you have an arrangement with another CP or freight forwarder, you may
change this address. In addition to providing the CP address, you must also provide the freight receiving
address at your duty station that can be used by the CP if necessary.
- Your freight receiving address at your duty
station:
GSA Advantage will prompt you for this
address if you have not already provided it. The CP may need
this address to arrange overseas shipment. Please do not
enter your APO/FPO address here.
AAC or DoDAAC required from all overseas credit card users:
All overseas credit card users (civilian and DoD) must provide an associated AAC or DoDAAC.
This AAC or DoDAAC is provided to MAS contractors, consolidation points, freight forwarders,
or GSA export operations in order to better identify the overseas customer and complete delivery.
AAC or DoDAAC provided must contain an overseas address.
Additional transportation accounting information required (all overseas customers):
Orders that cannot be mailed and are processed through your CP or freight forwarder will incur an
additional transportation cost for over-ocean or port handling. The CP must be able to charge this
additional cost to a transportation account. For military activities, this cost is usually paid for
using a 4-position alpha/numeric Transportation Account Code (TAC). GSA Advantage will provide you
with a default TAC that you may accept or change. This is required once. Air Force has requested that
all AF customers who use a credit card for purchase first obtain a unit assigned TAC from Wright P
atterson AFB. Please go to https://lsotools.wpafb.af.mil/tac/index.cfm for more information.
State Department and other civilian activities must provide a fund citation to cover these charges.
(Note: civilian agencies do not provide a TAC, as this is a military designation.)
Transportation Control Number:
Please note that GSA Advantage automatically assigns a unique Transportation Control Number
(TCN) to each purchase order. Your CP will need this control number should they receive your
order for overseas shipment. You may accept the TCN provided or change the default if necessary.
Please provide accurate phone and e-mail:
It is important that you provide an accurate international commercial phone number (include country code)
and e-mail address. Should there be problems with delivering your order, GSA or the contractor may need to
contact you. To verify your information is correct, login to GSA Advantage then click on Profile.
We continue to refine these overseas procedures in order to simplify the process and better ensure
shipments and payments are completed successfully. We appreciate your patience as we strive to improve
our service to you.
Problems with overseas freight orders:
If your overseas order was sent via a
consolidation point and has not been received or is damaged,
please send an e-mail describing the problem to: dlacontactcenter@dla.mil.
Hazmat/MSDS
Information
Hazmat and general link to Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) can be found at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/hmirs/
Session
Timeout
Due to the large number of users of GSA
Advantage, sessions are timed-out if idle (inactive) for 60
minutes. Please Park your cart if you will be away
from your machine for more than 60 minutes.
Web Site
Changes
The GSA Advantage website is constantly
changing. Products and features are being added on a daily
basis. Customers are usually informed via e-mail or web
messages before a major change occurs. Minor enhancements are
added frequently without notification whenever the change has
little impact or can be easily understood.
Links to
Other Web Sites
GSA and contractors may also
provide links to other web sites or resources. Because GSA has
no control over such sites and resources be aware that GSA is
not responsible for the availability of such external sites or
resources.
State and Locals
State and local government entities that may use GSA Advantage include: States,
counties, municipalities, cities, towns, townships, tribal governments, public
authorities, school districts, colleges and other institutions of higher education,
council of governments, regional or interstate government entities, or any agency
or instrumentality of the preceding entities, and including legislative and judicial
departments. The term does not include contractors of, or grantees of, State or local governments.
Ordering Authorization
If you intend to place orders on GSA Advantage, we require authorization from your
supervisor or approving official. This information will be requested during the registration process.
Ordering
State and Local customers who wish to order must use a state or local government issued credit card. No other form of
payment is accepted at this time. The State or local government ordering activity is
responsible for ensuring that only authorized representatives of their governments
place orders and that the supplies or services purchased will be used for governmental purposes only.
At this time, State and Local customers can only order products from the
Disaster Recovery and
Cooperative Purchasing programs. During registration, you will choose the programs you are interested in. All other products
not included in these programs are not yet available for state and local users to purchase.
Legal
Information
Endorsement Disclaimer:
Any reference link obtained from this Web site to a
specific commercial product, process, or service is for the
convenience of the user and does not constitute or imply any
special endorsement by GSA or the United States Government of
said product, process, or service; nor of its producer or
provider beyond the endorsements granted all MAS contractors.
Liability Disclaimer: While every
effort is made to provide accurate and complete contractor
information, neither GSA, nor the United States Government,
nor any of its employees, make any warranty, expressed or
implied, including the warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the products
and services available from the GSA Advantage web site.
Additionally, the United States Government and GSA assume no
legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness
of any contractor, product, service or product information or
links to areas outside of this Web site and do not represent
that use of such information, products, services or
information would not infringe on privately held rights.
Privacy Act Notice: When you visit
the GSA Advantage web site, we collect and store only the
following information:
- The domain name from which you access the Internet
- The date and time you accessed our Web site
- The item you requested from the server
- The Internet address of the Web site from which you
linked directly to our site.
The General Services
Administration uses software programs to create summary
statistics for such purposes as assessing what information is
of most and least interest to GSA Advantage users, identifying
system performance problems, etc. This information is
collected for site management and statistical purposes only.
We use this information to help us make our site more useful
to all our GSA Advantage users.
Computer Fraud
and Abuse Act: Unauthorized attempts to upload
information and/or change information on this Web site are
strictly prohibited and subject to prosecution under the
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and Title 18 U.S.C.
Sec.1001 and 1030.
Copyright Information:
Information on the GSA Advantage Web site, while in the public
domain, is subject to copyright protection and may not be
copied and/or distributed without permission. If a copyright
is indicated on a photo, graphic, or other material, citation
of the Contractor and The General Services Administration as
the source of the information is obligatory.
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