Is GSA Right For You? page banner image

The answer is yes, if your business:

Offers what GSA buys:

As the federal government’s landlord GSA’s Public Buildings Service, buys everything building-related: construction services and supplies, infrastructure, facility supplies and maintenance. Also professional and technical services and consulting.

GSA is America's only source solely dedicated to procuring goods and services for government. As an integral part of GSA, the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) possesses unrivaled capability to deliver comprehensive products and services across government at the best value possible.

The new Technology Transformation Service applies modern methodologies and technologies to improve the public’s experience with government by helping agencies make their services more accessible, efficient, and effective, and by itself providing services that exemplify these values. The Service builds, provides, and shares technology applications, platforms, processes, personnel, and software solutions to federal agencies in an effort to help them better serve the public.

Meets vendor requirements & qualifications:

Most GSA contracts require a company to be in business for at least two (2) years and show revenue of at least $25,000 per year. Other contracts require specific skills and experience (especially in technical and service contracts).  However, if you are a Information Technology small business, you may be eligible for a streamlined process.  Visit http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104506 for IT Schedule 70 information.

Is registered to do business with the federal government:

The registration process is explained in detail in the Get Started section of GSA.gov.

Things You Should Know

  • Research on federal contracting costs indicates some federal vendors spend $80-130K a year to earn their first order.
  • To qualify for set-aside opportunities your business must be Small Business Administration (SBA) certified. Go to the SBA website and obtain certification as one of the following, if applicable:

Woman-Owned Small Business

HUBzone Program (helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to opportunities)

8(a) Business Development Program (helps small, disadvantaged businesses)

In addition to the certifications above, a business can self-certify as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, which may make you eligible for set-asides. Note: it is also possible for a business to have more than one certification; for example, your small business can be both Woman-Owned AND Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned.

Certification may take anywhere from three-months to a year. We advise you to begin the process as early as feasible.Your company needs to be certified before you qualify for set-asides.

  • The federal procurement process can be complex; and the government is always working to simplify and streamline the procurement process. That said, you can do your part and invest time to learn about federal contracts and the options available to you.

The Office of Small Business Utilization

The Office of Small Business Utilization (OSBU) is here to help you navigate the journey to success as a GSA vendor. Think of OSBU as your “Go-to Guy” at GSA. As an advocate for small businesses, we exist to provide assistance, guidance and training that ensures small businesses not only get in the game, but also compete on a level playing field. Learn More about OSBU.

Does that sound good to you? Then welcome. Head to the “Get Started” section of the OSBU site.

If this is not the right opportunity for you at this time, you can still work with GSA. Explore subcontracting opportunities with GSA. We have plenty of subcontracting goals to fill.

 

Last Reviewed 2016-12-12