The document provides an overview of the U.S. General Services Administration's Multiple Award Schedules program. It discusses that Schedules are government-wide contracts for commercial products and services that provide agencies flexibility and reduced acquisition times. It notes that over 18,000 contractors participate in Schedules, including over 13,000 small businesses. The document outlines ordering procedures and tips for achieving best value from Schedules.

1. U.S. General Services Administration
Using GSA Multiple Award Schedules (MAS)
Schedules -
The Basics
GSA Expo
May 2011

2. FAS Office of Acquisition Management
MAS Program Office
 Mahruba Uddowla
Procurement Analyst

3. What is a Federal Supply Schedule?
 Government-wide contract vehicle for commercial
products, services, and solutions
 Also known as Schedules and Multiple Award
Schedules (MAS)
 Statutory Authority: Section 201, Federal Property
and Administrative Services Act of 1949

4. Federal Acquisition Service
FSS Schedule Facts
 Over 20 million supplies and services
 39 open and standing solicitations (including 9 VA
Schedules)
 Over 18,000 Schedule contractors (80% small
businesses)
 Over 13,000 small businesses
Woman-owned small: 3,400
Veteran-owned small: 1,300
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small: 1,000
Small Disadvantaged: 3,000
HubZone: 500

5. Federal Acquisition Service
Who can use a Schedule?
 Federal agencies and activities of the executive, legislative and judicial
branches;
 Government contractors authorized in writing by a federal agency
pursuant to 48 CFR 51.1;
 Mixed ownership government corporations (as defined in the Government
Corporation Control Act);
 The government of the District of Columbia;
 State and Local Governments as authorized by Congress; and
 Other activities and organizations per GSA Order ADM 4800.2E, Eligibility
to Use GSA Sources of Supply and Services

6. Federal Acquisition Service
Why Use a Schedule
 Flexibility
 Variety and Availability of sources
 Reduced acquisition lead time
 Electronic Systems
 Pricing Discounts are within the negotiated pricing
 Meets competitive contracting
 Compliance with competition, environmental, socio-
economic requirements (applies to agency SBA
goals)

7. Priorities for use of Government
Supply Sources - FAR Part 8.002
Supplies Services
1. Agency inventories 1. Services on the
2. Excess from other Procurement List
agencies 2. Federal Supply
3. Federal Prison Industries, Schedules
Inc. 3. Federal Prison Industries,
4. Supplies on the Inc. or other commercial
Procurement List sources.
5. Wholesale supply sources;
6. Federal Supply
Schedules
7. Other commercial sources

8. Federal Acquisition Service
Award of the Schedule Base Contract
 FAR Parts 12, 15, and 38
 Acquisition Planning
 FedBizOps
 Responsibility determinations
 Terms and Conditions
 Fair and reasonable pricing

9. Federal Acquisition Service
Award of the Schedule Base Contract
 Information on Schedules eLibrary
 Perform contract administration including: ensuring
contracts are constantly updated to reflect legislative
and regulatory changes
 Ensure adherence to subcontracting requirements

10. Federal Acquisition Service
FSS Schedule Contract Characteristics
 IDIQ contracts
 Minimum/maximum order thresholds
 5-year contracts with three 5-year option periods
 Subcontracting plans for large businesses
 Prices already determined fair & reasonable
 Price reduction clause

11. Federal Acquisition Service
Schedule Ordering Procedures
FAR 8.4
 Orders not requiring a Statement of Work (SOW)
 Orders requiring a Statement of Work
 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(ARRA)
 DoD Section 803 Ordering Procedures

12. Federal Acquisition Service
Orders Not Requiring a SOW
FAR 8.405-1
 Up until micro-purchase – place order directly
 Micro-purchase to Maximum Order – review at least
three Schedule contracts (DoD – See Section 803 Ordering
Procedures)
 Above Maximum Order – “shall” seek a price reduction
“Price reductions may be sought at any time” (FAR Subpart 8.405-1)

13. Federal Acquisition Service
Orders Requiring an SOW
FAR Part 8.405-2
 Request for Quote (RFQ)
 Up until micro-purchase – place order directly
 Micro-purchase to Maximum Order – provide to at least three
Schedule contractors (DoD – See Section 803 Ordering Procedures)
 Above Maximum Order –
eBuy meets the fair notice
Provide to more contractors requirements
Seek price reductions
“Price reductions may be sought at any time” (FAR Subpart 8.405-1)

14. Federal Acquisition Service
DoD Section 803 Ordering Procedures
 DFARS 208.405-70
 Orders exceeding $100,000 - Provide fair notice to as
many contractors as is practical
Receive offers from at least 3 contractors;
Reasonable efforts to identify qualified
contractors; and
Ensure all offers received are fairly considered
eBuy meets the fair notice requirements

15. Federal Acquisition Service
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
 A Schedule Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is
established by an ordering activity with a Schedule
contractor to fill repetitive needs for supplies or
services.
 See FAR 8.405-3
 Single award BPAs and multiple award BPAs

16. Federal Acquisition Service
Contractor Team Arrangements
 Arrangement between two or more Schedule
contractors to meet customer requirements
 NOT a prime / subcontractor relationship
 Satisfies the customer with a single turnkey solution
 Maximizes use of one or more Schedule offerings
 Allows for opportunities for small businesses

17. Federal Acquisition Service
Ordering Tips for Achieving Best Value
 Communication is the key. Keep it simple and
straightforward. The FSS Schedules Program is a
streamlined process; do not use complex Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15 procedures for a
MAS order.
 Discussions with contractors are not required. In the
context of an FSS Schedules purchase, the individual can
seek additional information regarding a request for
quotations without triggering discussion rules.
 There is no need to identify detailed evaluation criteria
but, at a minimum, identify the basis on which the
selection is to be made. Evaluate in accordance with
stated selection methodology and/or criteria.

18. Federal Acquisition Service
Ordering Tips for Achieving Best Value
 When ordering services for which a SOW is required, a
performance-based SOW should be used to the maximum
extent practicable. When using a performance-based SOW,
allow the contractor(s) to propose the labor skill mix and
associated hours. Do not dictate the number of hours or labor
skill mix.
 Avoid unnecessary contractual language in a RFQ that may
confuse or frustrate a contractor. Remember, in the case of a
conflict between a delivery order and the underlying FSS
Schedule contract, the contract controls.

19. Federal Acquisition Service
Ordering Tips for Achieving Best Value
 Ensure that supplies and/or services are within the
scope of the relevant FSS Schedule contract.
 Ensure that applicable agency requirements – i.e.
Section 803 DoD – are adhered to in sources sought.
 Remember to develop an acquisition plan, IT acquisition
strategy and to adhere to bundling prescriptions as
required by the FAR.
 For Services requiring a SOW that contemplate a pricing
mechanism other than FFP, must document rationale.
 Remember that when limiting sources beyond FAR
8.405-1 & 2 to follow the FAR 8.405-6 procedures.

20. Federal Acquisition Service
Ordering Tips for Achieving Best Value
 Remember orders against FSS Schedules cannot be set
aside but socio-economic status can be a evaluation
factor.
 Utilizing options can be a useful mechanism to encourage
quality performance – remember that the options cannot
extend beyond the period of the Schedule contract,
including Schedule contract’s option year periods.
 Performance evaluation reports can also encourage
quality contractor performance – remember to complete
and report performance evaluations to PPIRS.
 Blanket Purchase Agreements can also streamline
ordering procedures when filling repetitive needs.

21. Federal Acquisition Service
Greening the Schedules
 Visit GSA Sustainability Page
http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/27109
 GSA.gov’s “Go Green” webpage
 Visit the Green Aisle on GSA Advantage!® and GSA
Global Supply™
 For more information, look for the “Buy Green with
GSA” training session on Wednesday!

22. Federal Acquisition Service
Green Products On GSA Advantage!
Look for the
environmental link on
the main GSA
Advantage! page
22

23. Federal Acquisition Service
Electronic Tools
 Schedules eLibrary : Is the official online source for
complete GSA and VA Schedules. Also includes
GWACs.
 eBUY: Is an online RFQ system that allows ordering
activities to obtain quotes and issue orders.
 GSA Advanatge! An online shopping service
through which ordering activities may place orders
against the Schedules.

24. Federal Acquisition Service
Special Programs
 Cooperative Purchasing: Enables State and local
government entities to purchase a variety of information
technology (IT) products, software, and services from
contracts awarded under Schedule 70, Information
Technology, and Schedule 84, Total Solutions for Law
Enforcement and Security.
 The Consolidated Schedule containing IT special Item
numbers can also be utilized. (NOT 84)
 Schedule contractors participating in Cooperative Purchasing
Program are identified in GSA eLibrary with the Cooperative
Purchasing icon.

25. Federal Acquisition Service
Special Programs
 Disaster Recovery: Enables state and local government
entities to purchase a variety of products and services from
Schedules to facilitate recovery from a major disaster,
terrorism, or nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological
attack.
 This Disaster Recovery Purchasing authority is limited to FSS
& VA Schedule contracts and does not include any other GSA
programs. GSA eLibrary contains a list of all FSS/VA
Schedules subject to Disaster Recovery Purchasing.
 Schedule contractors participating in the Disaster Recovery
Purchasing Program are identified in GSA eLibrary with the
Disaster Recovery Purchasing icon.

26. Federal Acquisition Service
FSS Schedules Training
2011 Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) and GSA/FAS
Sponsored Courses:
 MAS Basic/Overview (4-Hour Course)
 MAS Advanced (2-Day Comprehensive Course)
Both Courses are currently Instructor Led (IL), with the
future having them on-line.
Those interested in attending one of these courses
should contact xxxxx.

27. Federal Acquisition Service
We Are Here to Help
For more information on Schedules, please visit
www.gsa.gov/schedules
For Schedule Questions?
Email: MASHelpdesk@gsa.gov
or call toll free: (800) 488-3111
We are also on Facebook and Twitter!