GSA Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (GSA MAS)?

The General Services Administration Multiple Award Schedule (GSA MAS) is an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract available to all federal agencies worldwide. Agencies place orders directly with the contractor. The middle man has been removed and the process shortened. Best of all, the GSA MAS can be used to purchase a wide variety of environmental advisory services.

Is there a difference between the GSA MAS IDIQ and other agencies' IDIQ contracts?

The GSA MAS program provides federal customers worldwide with a multitude of services from more than 6,000 vendors, without ordering restrictions. Other agencies' IDIQs are primarily for use by the host agency. Access is limited to other agencies and limited sources are available. In some cases, ordering must go though the host agency. Some require approval letters, documentation for best value selection, price determination, etc.

What are the advantages of purchasing from the GSA MAS?

GSA has already determined the price to be fair and reasonable. Synopsis is not required.
MAS contracts have been awarded in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Administrative time is reduced.
A wide selection of commercial items are available.
Ordering is easy.

What exactly is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) under the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)?

Setting up a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with an MAS contractor is a way to fill recurring needs while taking advantage of quantity discounts, thus saving administrative time and reducing paperwork.

In the past, individual orders under a BPA could not exceed the maximum order limitation. Today, that is no longer true. With the removal of the maximum order limitation, agencies are no longer restricted by any dollar limitations when placing orders under a BPA.

With an MAS BPA, an agency can order as much as they want, as little as they want, and as often as they want. The agency can use a BPA as an ordering device for field offices worldwide, allowing them to place the orders directly. In doing so, the entire agency reaps the benefits of additional discounts negotiated into their own BPA.

Teaming agreements are permitted with MAS Contractors in accordance with FAR 9.6. Teaming agreements may be incorporated into an agency BPA.

Can an agency use a government credit card for payment?

Payment by a government credit card is preferred and strongly encouraged. Generally, contractors that accept government credit cards commercially will accept them under the Schedule for orders of $2,500 or less.

How easy is ordering from the GSA MAS?

An agency simply

Obtains the Federal Supply Schedule from companies in which the agency is interested from GSA eLibrary at http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/home.do
Reviews products or services to make a best value selection
Places an order through the agency's own contract and procurement office (not GSA)

For more information, see the GSA Schedules home page at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/197989.