GSA Contracts & Multiple Award Schedule

The GSA Multiple Award Schedule is a long-term, government-wide contract that establishes pre-negotiated prices, terms, and conditions for commercial products and services. Think of it as getting your company listed in the government's approved vendor catalog. Agencies can issue orders against your Schedule contract using simplified acquisition procedures, which means faster buying decisions and less competition compared to open-market solicitations.

Applying for a GSA Schedule contract is done through the GSA eOffer system. The process typically takes 3 to 12 months and requires you to submit detailed pricing, past performance references, financial statements, and technical capability documentation. GSA negotiates your pricing to ensure it is fair and competitive — you will need to demonstrate that your government prices are equal to or better than what you offer your best commercial customers.

Once awarded, your Schedule contract lasts for 20 years (under the current MAS consolidation), with periodic reviews. You are responsible for keeping your pricing current, maintaining your GSA Advantage listing, and complying with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) for product origin requirements.

GSA Advantage is the online marketplace where federal buyers browse and purchase products and services from Schedule holders. Keeping your catalog current on GSA Advantage is critical — many agencies use it as their first stop when looking for a vendor. eBuy is GSA's request for quote (RFQ) system, where agencies post requirements and Schedule holders submit quotes. Monitoring eBuy regularly is essential for winning task orders.

The consolidated MAS includes categories that cover nearly every product and service the government buys. IT solutions (formerly Schedule 70) remain the most popular, including subcategories like STARS III for 8(a) firms. Professional services, facilities management, office supplies, scientific equipment, and security services are other high-volume categories. Identifying the right Special Item Numbers (SINs) for your offerings is a key part of a successful application.

Not all GSA work flows through the Schedule. GSA also issues standalone solicitations on SAM.gov for building leases, IT modernization projects, fleet management, and other services. These are full and open competitions separate from the Schedule program. Between SAM.gov, eBuy, and GSA Advantage, there are multiple channels to track — and missing an RFQ by even a day can mean a missed opportunity.

GovSentry monitors SAM.gov, eBuy, and GSA-specific procurement channels to surface relevant opportunities automatically. Each match includes a relevance score, incumbent analysis, and AI-generated bid strategy so you can respond quickly and strategically.