GSA Schedules Background
Under the GSA Schedules Program, GSA enters into contracts with commercial firms to provide supplies (products) and services at stated prices for given periods of time. Orders are placed directly with the Schedule contractor, and deliveries are made directly to the customer.
The GSA Schedules Program mirrors commercial buying practices more than any other procurement process in the federal government today. It provides customers with millions of state-of-the-art, high-quality commercial supplies and services at volume discount pricing on a direct delivery basis. All customers, large or small, even those in remote locations, are provided the same services, convenience, and pricing. The Schedules Program also offers the benefits of shorter lead-times, lower administrative costs, and reduced inventories.
The Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq.) is the enabling statute that implements numerous multilateral and bilateral international trade agreements and other trade initiatives. Since the estimated dollar value of each Schedule exceeds the established Trade Agreements Act (TAA) threshold, the TAA is applicable to all Schedules. In accordance with the TAA, only U.S.-made or designated country end products shall be offered and sold under Schedule contracts.
Multiple Award Schedules (MAS)
These Schedules cover contracts awarded to firms supplying comparable commercial supplies and services at varying prices. They provide customers with the variety and flexibility necessary to select the best value item that meets their needs at the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.).
Consistent with the Competition in Contracting Act, Multiple Award Schedules are competitive in that participation in the program is open to all responsible sources, and orders placed following the procedures in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.4 result in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the needs of the government.
Single Award Schedules (SAS)
These Schedules cover contracts made with one supplier for a specific product at a stated price for delivery to a geographical area defined in the Schedule.
At the present time, GSA has one Single Award Schedule. The JWOD Schedule, awarded to the National Industries for the Blind under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, contains a variety of products manufactured by people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Note: Effective November 27, 2006, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program was renamed the AbilityOne Program.
Last Reviewed 10/31/2008