The new, single-schedule contract will have subdivisions or “categories.” These categories, as described by Stephanie Shutt, director of GSA’s MAS Program Management Office, will use “real words” to describe the supplies and services sold thereunder. GSA believes that the transformation “will also allow industry to come to the federal marketplace with their offerings using a solutions-based approach, which more closely aligns with the way agencies are buying.” 5 The complexity of the 24-schedule structure also may be a barrier to entry for some small businesses. Such contractors do not want the burdens of obtaining and managing multiple MAS contracts with differing terms and conditions and different contracting officers (which, invariably, have different interpretations of clauses, data requirements, etc.). Under this disparate structure, many vendors choose not to obtain multiple MAS contracts, which would enable them to offer more products and services to the government. The division of supplies and services across the schedules often makes it challenging for government customer agencies to locate and acquire the appropriate solutions. 4 Each schedule is subdivided into subcategories known as Special Item Numbers (SINs). The 24 schedules are organized by types of products and services (e.g., Schedule 70- Information Technology (IT) Schedule 23 V- Automotive Superstore 00CORP- Professional Services Schedule). Approximately $31 billion is spent through MAS annually. Through the MAS Program, federal, state, and local governments can purchase commercial supplies and services at pre-negotiated, volume-discounted pricing. GSA schedule contracts are long-term, government-wide indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts with commercial entities that are administered under GSA’s MAS Program. The strategy is “an integrated set of policy, process and technology improvements that help establish a seamless people-centric buying and selling experience that enables mission-driven acquisition across government.” 2 GSA believes that this strategy will improve the buying and selling process for federal customers and current and potential vendors. 1 The transformation of GSA’s MAS Program is part of the agency’s broader Federal Marketplace strategy, which comprises 30 connected projects. The General Services Administration (GSA) recently announced that it will be overhauling its Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) Program by consolidating its 24 schedules (also known as Federal Supply Schedules (FSS)) into a single schedule.
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