GSA

We Help You Get On The GSA Schedule: Simplifying the Process

Winning government, city, state, or local contracts requires a meticulously crafted proposal. At Federal Bid Partners, we specialize in providing expert proposal writing services to help you navigate this complex and competitive process. Here are the five main steps involved in making a successful proposal, highlighting the amount of work it takes and the expertise required.

Assessing Eligibility and Preparing for the GSA Schedule

Embarking on the journey to secure a GSA MAS contract necessitates an initial, rigorous assessment of your organization's eligibility and preparedness. The GSA mandates that prospective contractors possess a minimum of two years of operational experience, demonstrating not only financial stability but also a proven track record of fulfilling contractual obligations. This criterion ensures that businesses have the requisite maturity and reliability to engage in federal contracts.

Federal Schedules, Inc.

A pivotal component of this preparatory phase is the completion of the "Pathways to Success" training. This mandatory, web-based course offers an in-depth exploration of the GSA MAS program, elucidating the benefits, obligations, and strategic considerations inherent in holding a GSA contract. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate, which must be included in the proposal submission, serving as evidence of the organization's commitment to understanding and adhering to GSA protocols.

Furthermore, a comprehensive review of the MAS solicitation document is imperative. This extensive document outlines the specific requirements, evaluation criteria, and terms and conditions associated with the GSA Schedule. Engaging with the solicitation in detail enables organizations to identify the appropriate Special Item Numbers (SINs) that align with their offerings, ensuring a targeted and compliant proposal. This meticulous approach lays a solid foundation for the subsequent stages of the application process.

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Completing Required Registrations

Following the eligibility assessment, organizations must undertake several critical registrations to engage in federal contracting. The System for Award Management (SAM) serves as the primary repository for contractor information, and registration within SAM is a prerequisite for all federal contractors. During this process, businesses obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which replaces the previously utilized Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, streamlining entity identification across federal agencies.

In addition to SAM registration, accurately determining and registering the appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes is essential. These codes categorize the economic activities of businesses and are instrumental in identifying relevant contracting opportunities. Ensuring that your NAICS codes align precisely with your business activities facilitates visibility and accessibility within the federal marketplace.

Moreover, understanding and adhering to the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance is crucial, particularly for organizations intending to offer products. The TAA stipulates that products must be manufactured or substantially transformed in designated countries. Ensuring that your offerings comply with TAA requirements is vital to maintain eligibility for the GSA Schedule and to avoid potential disqualification during the evaluation process.

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Gathering and Organizing Proposal Documentation

The proposal submission necessitates the compilation of extensive documentation to substantiate your organization's qualifications and compliance with GSA requirements. Key documents include comprehensive financial statements from the previous two fiscal years, encompassing balance sheets and income statements. These documents provide insight into your organization's financial health and capacity to fulfill contractual obligations.

Additionally, assembling a detailed Past Performance Evaluation (PPE) is critical. This involves soliciting and compiling evaluations from previous clients to demonstrate a history of satisfactory performance. Utilizing the Past Performance Questionnaire template provided by the GSA ensures consistency and completeness in the information presented. This documentation serves as a testament to your organization's reliability and quality of service.

For organizations offering products, obtaining a Letter of Supply is imperative, especially if you are not the manufacturer. This letter, sourced from your supplier, affirms the availability and compliance of the products you intend to offer. Utilizing the GSA-provided template for the Letter of Supply ensures that all necessary information is included, facilitating a smoother evaluation process.

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Developing a Competitive Pricing Strategy

Crafting a pricing strategy that balances competitiveness with compliance is a cornerstone of the GSA proposal process. The GSA requires that pricing be fair and reasonable, often necessitating that vendors offer their Most Favored Customer (MFC) pricing or better. Conducting thorough market research to analyze competitor pricing and industry standards is essential in formulating a pricing model that meets GSA expectations while ensuring profitability.

Completing the Commercial Sales Practices (CSP) disclosure is a critical aspect of this phase. The CSP requires detailed information about your pricing policies, discounting practices, and sales history. Transparency and accuracy in this disclosure are paramount, as any inconsistencies can lead to complications during the evaluation process. Additionally, preparing a Price Proposal Template (PPT) that outlines your proposed pricing structure, including any discounts or concessions offered to the government, is necessary. Utilizing the GSA-provided templates for products or services ensures adherence to required formats and facilitates the evaluation process.

Furthermore, understanding the implications of the Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause is vital. This clause outlines the conditions under which pricing adjustments can occur during the contract term. Developing a clear strategy for managing potential price adjustments in compliance with EPA guidelines ensures that your pricing remains competitive and sustainable throughout the contract period.

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Submitting the Proposal and Engaging in Negotiations

With all documentation meticulously prepared, the next step involves submitting your proposal via the GSA's eOffer system. This secure, web-based platform facilitates the electronic submission of offers and requires the use of a digital certificate to ensure authenticity and security. Ensuring that all documents are accurately formatted and uploaded according to GSA specifications is critical to avoid delays or rejection.

Following submission, the proposal undergoes a comprehensive review by a GSA Contracting Officer (CO). This evaluation assesses the completeness, accuracy, and compliance of your submission. It is common for the CO to request clarifications or additional information during this phase. Prompt and thorough responses to such requests are essential to maintain the momentum of the evaluation process and demonstrate your company strengths.

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Fast Response and Easy to Follow Steps

We will provide you with a comprehensive list of everything needed to create your proposal. This may include signing a few documents, but we handle the rest, such as filling in your information (e.g., address, name, CAGE code, etc.). We ensure that you understand every aspect of the process. If you have any questions or need assistance, we are always ready to schedule a meeting or a call to help you.

Flexible Payment Schedule

We understand that new businesses are still in the startup phase and may not have the necessary funds to purchase our services. Therefore, we offer small businesses the opportunity to negotiate a fair price or payment plan, ensuring you can still maintain the budget needed to run your company.

See our progress in real time

We prioritize transparency with each of our clients. Through the portal accessible to all clients, you can track the progress of tasks, download document drafts, make edits, and sign documents online. This ensures both security and transparency with our FBP Portal.

Don't have a business yet? No problem.

We understand that starting a business can be challenging. Instead of paying another service to establish your business, we will file the necessary documents for you. Depending on your state, you will have your EIN within 2-3 business days, with no rush options and a flat rate. We will then create a website for you with email access (e.g., yourname@yourcompany.com) and register you on SAM.gov to enable your government contracting capabilities. Additionally, we can sign you up with popular vendors to pursue single-source procurement contracts, which are ideal for new businesses with no past performance. These contracts typically range from $10,000 to $150,000.

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G E T T I N G S T A R T E D

Our Quick Process

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Ready in minutes

After you sign up, we will ask you a few questions to understand your business. This will allow us to find a solicitation you may be interested in. Once you've chosen a product and paid, the process begins.

Speak with your dedicated expert

You will immediately gain access to your own client portal, where you can make requests, track progress, and have a face-to-face meeting with your dedicated expert. You will see the bids picked by your sourcing expert and have them explained. After receiving your information and preference, we will create your proposal and additional services, such as a capability statement.

Competitive rates

We offer weekly meetings to our clients to address any questions. Once your proposal is complete, we can submit it for you or provide guidance if you prefer to submit it yourself. We are here to advise you on anything you need.

Discounts for new customers

We continuously track all bids, which you can view live in your portal. Simply select another solicitation, and we'll start the process again. With our team size, there is no limit to how many bids we can handle simultaneously.