OASIS+ and MAPS are dropping now, and we’re hearing from clients, “this GWAC would be perfect for my business!” We go over the scoring process and often they end up just a few points shy of being able to get an award.

Then we always say in a forgiving tone “remember when we advised for you to obtain a GSA Schedule” and you said “that was on your goal for next year…” 

So, the big problem for small businesses is hitting the 36-point threshold. For Small businesses you need “Relevant Projects” and the couple of projects you obtain through your GSA Schedule for many businesses are what put you over the top. Additionally, the GSA Schedule projects will likely be the most defensible projects on your scorecard.

Administrative bonus, because you are already on schedule the GSA has already vetted your firm’s financials, pricing and quality of services. This eliminates the #1 cause of failure for firms hitting the 36-point load, which is responsibility determination failures.

Qualifications for GSA

Category – Requirement

Administrative Compliance – You meet the 2-year rule & show financial stability.

Past Performance – 1-3 Projects to prove you have done the work before.

Pricing – Fair & Reasonable – Your pricing is based upon what you have charge past customers, additional price concessions is sometimes given to meet GSA Competition.

Financials – 2 Years of statements, usually just a simple P&L and Balance Sheet.

On-Ramping – Always Open, Submit Anytime.

The bar is low for obtaining a GSA Schedule for a business that has two years under its belt. The upside is surprisingly good as well because the average Small Business Schedule Holder does over $1 Million per year in federal contracts. But one of the most important pieces is that because GSA Schedules are always open you can move into them right away, having built your experience so that you are ready when a MAPS or other major GWAC becomes open. OASIS+ is currently scheduled to be “ever green” meaning it will remain open all the time. However, we are hearing rumblings that once they obtain enough contractors to fill the vehicle, they are going to close it like others. That is why the time to strike in government contracting is when the Iron is in fire.

If you would like to go over if your firm currently qualifies, or want to make a plan for down the road what federal contracting “steppingstones” you should have on your wish list, I always recommend contacting an industry expert such as Advance GSA. Best Advice, reach out to them as they’re always prepared to help facilitate in a firms wish to exacerbate their want for greater future business development potential. They do not charge for an initial consultation.