You've been awarded a GSA Schedule...now what?
First order of business: Congratulations! This is a very exciting accomplishment that took focused time and energy, and now is the time to pour a glass of wine to celebrate! You are now eligible to start pursuing RFP’s/RFQ’s posted by Purchasing Officers who are seeking GSA vendors!
Along with a huge sigh of relief, may come a new wave of anxiety filled with questions of how to start managing and utilizing your schedule. Below you will find a succinct list of post award instructions so you can fret no longer and get a jump start on managing your contract:
1. Your first priority is registering with the Vendor Support Center (VSC). This step is critical so make sure to put that at the very top of your to do list!
2. Your CO (contracting officer) should have received your company's completed catalog (document containing your contract terms & conditions, along with your GSA pricing) at the conclusion of negotiations. However, you will also need to upload your catalog via SIP- Schedule Input Program. SIP is a software the government uses to post your current pricing to GSA Advantage! and GSAeLibrary. These two sites are where government buyers can go to purchase goods and services with a click of a button, much like an online retail store. You will need to download the SIP software first. This information must be updated every time there is a change to your pricing, services offered, or SINs awarded- so bear that in mind. Should you have trouble navigating SIP, you can sign up for an online training here. When you register with the VSC they will provide you with a password, which is what you will use for SIP!
3. Now the fun part! Register your company with eBuy, so you can start browsing RFQ's (Request for Quote) and RFP's (Request for Proposal). You will register and create an FAS log in that will allow you access to eBuy, Quarterly Sales Reprting, and the Mass Mod System. Dedicate some time every day to browse for opportunities on eBuy that suit your company's offerings, and then respond to RFP's you feel you are qualified for. Alternatively, you can hire a consultant to browse RFP's for you, so you never miss an opportunity!
5. Don't forget to report your sales, and pay your Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) within 30 days of the conclusion of each quarter. You can do both of these tasks, here.
Be proud of your accomplishment and let others know by placing the GSA logo on your website to inform government buyers of your recent acquisition! As always, should you have any questions or if you’d like direct support from a GSA consultant to help with a specific project, reach out to us at info@elevategsa.com.
Celebrate your award with some RFQs!