GSA Quarterly Industry Meeting for IT Schedule 70 Program
The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) Center for the Information Technology (IT) Schedule Program held their 2015 quarterly industry meeting on November 12, 2014.
IT Schedule 70 Sales
IT Schedule 70 is the largest, most widely used IT acquisition vehicle in the federal government. Sales in FY14 exceeded Schedule goals, though lower than FY13 sales. Federal sales accounted for most of the decrease because state and local sales actually increased in FY14. Federal sales were $13.4B in FY14 compared to $14.3B in FY13. State and local sales were $837M in FY14 compared to $661M in FY13.
IT Schedule 70 Contracts Review
There were 4,630 active IT Schedule 70 contracts at the end of FY14, of which 85% were small businesses. Over one-half of those small businesses had $100,000 or more in sales. 223 contracts were cancelled in FY14 due to low or no sales. GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts can be canceled due to low or no sales if the company is not in compliance with the sales clause in its contract. Per clause I-FSS-639, the required minimum sales is $25,000 during the first two years of the life of the contract, and $25,000 each year thereafter. Contracts not meeting this threshold may be identified as non-compliant.
Key Topics
Key topics addressed at the quarterly meeting include an update on the newly proposed Cloud Computing SIN, a description of the Sustainability Acquisition initiative, information on the Reverse Auctions platform, and an announcement of the next Solicitation Refresh.
Cloud Computing
The IT Schedule 70 program currently offers cloud computing services, but an RFI was issued on July 9, 2014 seeking feedback on the potential creation of a separate Cloud Computing Services Category or Special item Number (SIN) within the Schedule. The goal of this new SIN would be to provide clear Cloud Computing technology differentiation and ease of agency access through systems such as eBuy and GSA Advantage!. More information is available on the GSA portal or directly from BH Sky.
Sustainability
Federal agencies are required by statute and executive order to purchase certain products with specific environmental or energy attributes in accordance with Energy Star standards and be Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) registered. “Green purchasing” or “sustainable acquisition” refers to purchasing products with these attributes and services under which these products will be supplied or used (e.g., mobile phones supplied as part of wireless service).
Reverse Auctions
Reverse Auctions, launched July 1, 2013, is a Government-managed platform and marketplace for products, services, and solutions offered through MAS programs and Blanket Purchase agreements (BPAs). Agencies have the option of using Reverse Auctions to purchase non-complex commodities and simple services. One key benefit to industry of using this platform is that you receive competitive real-time pricing information, that is, vendors are aware of where they stand in the auction process. Access to the platform is through a GSA eBuy and GSA Advantage! login. For help with this platform send email to gsareverseauctions@gsa.gov or contact BH Sky directly.
Solicitation Refresh #34
Solicitation Refresh #34 is the latest version (refresh) of the IT Schedule 70 solicitation and is tentatively planned for the fall of 2014. It may contain updates to the sustainability requirements on specific SINs.
Contact BH Sky for Assistance
Please contact BH Sky for a copy of the slides presented at the meeting. With our certified GSA specialists on staff, we are available to help your business with all its GSA needs. Call us directly on 866.468.7420, send email, or view our videos.
BH Sky Associates, based in Princeton, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., helps clients identify, negotiate, secure, market and manage procurement opportunities and government contracts at all levels. It is New Jersey’s only company specializing in GSA/VA Schedule Contracts and Government Market Intelligence. BH Sky offers professional consulting services to small and mid-size companies in a wide range of industries seeking to do business at all levels of government.