QUESTION: Do you believe that the GSA option can limit your sales outside the government sector? ANSWER: No, being listed on the GSA schedules can only enhance a company’s stature and offering. Getting a GSA Schedule tells customers (government or not) that you are a serious vendor and that the US government has done the due diligence to determine that.
QUESTION: Do you also provide vital information such as your pricing structure to the competitors? ANSWER: Public information available on the GSA schedules program would be standard as in any channel to market (pricing, specs, value proposition). The US Government understands that they are “trade secrets” and will keep them in confidence accordingly. In regards to pricing structure, that discussion would need to happen with GSA directly when negotiating terms and price.
QUESTION: What are the benefits of the GSA? ANSWER: The US Government is the world’s largest marketplace with the US General Services Administration (GSA) operating as the government’s main acquisition service. It is through GSA and its procurement schedules that the government procures most of its basic services and needs. The GSA schedule contracts enables all authorised government buyers (military and civilian at the federal level, and some state and local) to purchase commercial good and services through pre-negotiated contracts. The schedules program is divided into individual sector-focused schedules (IT Services, Homeland Security, EmergencyPreparedness, et cetera) with subdivision in each schedule for specific products (i.e. lighting towers, road flares, safety gear).
An additional benefit of the GSA schedules program is when companies apply for a specific schedule they are painstakingly vetted by GSA. When a company is approved for a schedule it is like a government “seal of approval”. This approval is usually one of the first things potential government customers look for when conducting business.
QUESTION: Would it be worthwhile having a local USA company to do the application? ANSWER: That is really an individual corporate decision. GSA schedule applications are tedious and lengthily, that being said they are manageable as long as you are committed to the process. If a company feels conformable to endeavour through the process themselves then great, but if its a complex or difficult offering (consulting, translating services, etc) then it might be worth contracting the work out. I will state though that having a GSA consultant can be costly ($15-30K) and would recommend thoroughly vetting any business prior to formal engagement. If requested Austrade is able to make referrals out on contractors.
GSA Schedules
QUESTION: Do you believe that the GSA option can limit your sales outside the government sector?
ANSWER: No, being listed on the GSA schedules can only enhance a company’s stature and offering. Getting a GSA Schedule tells customers (government or not) that you are a serious vendor and that the US government has done the due diligence to determine that.
QUESTION: Do you also provide vital information such as your pricing structure to the competitors?
ANSWER: Public information available on the GSA schedules program would be standard as in any channel to market (pricing, specs, value proposition). The US Government understands that they are “trade secrets” and will keep them in confidence accordingly. In regards to pricing structure, that discussion would need to happen with GSA directly when negotiating terms and price.
QUESTION: What are the benefits of the GSA?
ANSWER: The US Government is the world’s largest marketplace with the US General Services Administration (GSA) operating as the government’s main acquisition service. It is through GSA and its procurement schedules that the government procures most of its basic services and needs. The GSA schedule contracts enables all authorised government buyers (military and civilian at the federal level, and some state and local) to purchase commercial good and services through pre-negotiated contracts. The schedules program is divided into individual sector-focused schedules (IT Services, Homeland Security, EmergencyPreparedness, et cetera) with subdivision in each schedule for specific products (i.e. lighting towers, road flares, safety gear).
An additional benefit of the GSA schedules program is when companies apply for a specific schedule they are painstakingly vetted by GSA. When a company is approved for a schedule it is like a government “seal of approval”. This approval is usually one of the first things potential government customers look for when conducting business.
QUESTION: Would it be worthwhile having a local USA company to do the application?
ANSWER: That is really an individual corporate decision. GSA schedule applications are tedious and lengthily, that being said they are manageable as long as you are committed to the process. If a company feels conformable to endeavour through the process themselves then great, but if its a complex or difficult offering (consulting, translating services, etc) then it might be worth contracting the work out. I will state though that having a GSA consultant can be costly ($15-30K) and would recommend thoroughly vetting any business prior to formal engagement. If requested Austrade is able to make referrals out on contractors.