Recovery Act: How Businesses Can Participate

For federal contractors and businesses interested in providing goods and services to the government, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) offers many opportunities.
 
The Recovery Act gives preference to contracts that can be started and completed expeditiously, and use at least 50 percent of the funds for activities that can be initiated not later than 120 days from enactment.

GSA will therefore look first to use existing contract vehicles to meet these needs. Companies who do not currently hold a GSA contract can still participate by seeking subcontracting opportunities with current contract holders.  Where current contracts do not meet evolving needs, GSA will seek new procurement vehicles. As always, GSA will seek to promote competition in the marketplace, and strive to maintain outreach and support to small business.

Finding Business Opportunities

Businesses seeking government work should visit FedBizOpps often and register there to be notified of newly posted opportunities in their industries. FedBizOpps provides a comprehensive database of all major government solicitations, contract awards, subcontracting opportunities, surplus property sales and foreign business opportunities with the federal government. More at FedBizOpps.gov

Vendors interested specifically in design and construction contracting must be registered on FedBizOpps, as drawings and specifications are usually issued electronically through it.  Announcements there will contain instructions on obtaining classified drawings and specifications which are not distributed online.

Find out more here about GSA's opportunities for Small Businesses.

Learn how to qualify as a government contractor for businesses without GSA contracts.

What GSA Needs from Businesses

As the acquisition arm of the federal government, GSA plays a vital role in connecting the private sector with federal agencies fulfilling their business needs. GSA offers professional services, equipment, supplies, telecommunications, and information technology from commercial businesses to government organizations and the military through acquisition solutions from its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS).

For more on these offerings, consult the section on Products & Services. 

GSA also provides workplaces to the government by constructing, managing, and preserving federal buildings and by leasing and managing commercial real estate through its Public Buildings Service (PBS).

The ARRA may provide businesses with opportunities in buildings and real estate.

Understanding How GSA Buys

When commercial businesses sell goods and services to the federal government through GSA, different kinds of contracts are used for different purposes. 

Here is a brief introduction to how GSA buys using Schedules and contracts.