Discover key 2018 developments in the General Services Administration (GSA) that are shaping future government contracting, as analyzed by Blackfyre, a leading GSA consulting firm.
At Blackfyre, we claim our spot as a GSA Federal Schedule Consulting leader by having our pulse firmly on the significant events and initiatives in the General Services Administration (GSA). The year 2018 bore witness to several pivotal moments that are shaping the future of government contracting. We're here to give you a recap of the key developments and elucidate what to look for in the future.
After a hiatus of seven long years, the GSA resurrected Schedule 75 to new offers. A testament to GSA's commitment, this moveplays a quintessential role in providing a comprehensive range of products and services to government agencies.
In 2018, the Integrated Award Environment (IAE) kickstarted the convergence of several government websites into Beta.SAM.gov - a singular platform. Devised to streamline the procurement and award process, this consolidation is a masterstroke in enhancing efficiency for contractors and government entities.
We saw a final rule come into effect defining what contract clauses are unenforceable under GSA Schedules. This milestone is extremely crucial for contractors offering products or services that come with license agreements.
In an inclusive move, the OLM SIN was introduced to seven GSA Schedules. This allows for greater flexibility and foreshadows an increased usage and sales. OLMs could accommodate ancillary supplies or services that earlier stayed below the radar at the time of the Schedule award.
The theatrical saga of the FPT came to an end when the plug was pulled on automating price comparisons due to its slow adoption and divided opinions from users. Contractors who were part of the program have now been directed back to the legacy system.
A new notion was adopted for contract award numbers to echo with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules. This modern approach will impact all future contracts awarded.
The year saw some shifting, new introductions, and consolidations of SINs. This change depicts GSA's relentless efforts to keep the Schedules Program pertinent and effective.
In an audacious move, GSA announced their intent to melt all 24 GSA Schedules into a single Schedule. Such transformation is expected to uncomplicate the procurement exercises and up the efficiency game.
As we journey onward to 2019, the GSA community's focus is set on the consolidation of 24 GSA Schedules into a single Schedule, the possible impact of Brexit on GSA Schedules relating to the Trade Agreements Act, and whipping up of GSA's awaited e-Commerce Portal.
At Blackfyre, we pledge to remain your reliable source for up-to-the-minute information and strategic insights on these changes. We extend a full suite of services to support contractors in navigating the ever-evolving GSA terrain, which includes:
Circling back to the year that was - 2018 saw major shifts and developments within the GSA Schedules Program. As the landscape continues to evolve, Blackfyre stands ready to support government contractors in comprehending and leveraging these changes to triumph in the federal marketplace.
We encourage you to contact us to explore how we can assist with your GSA Schedule needs. As a seasoned player in this domain, helmed by a former GSA Schedule Reviewer, we tout ourselves as the best in offering GSA Schedule Consulting services.
Pedro has extensive background as a Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist, has worked across seven federal agencies, managing contracts totaling over $1 billion in the professional and tech sectors. His notable tenure includes serving with the DoD/DARPA during the inception of their robotics program. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in initiating the Cyber Special Item Number (SIN) within the GSA's IT Schedule 70 as a Team Lead. After graduating from Harvard, he started Blackfyre to help you win your next contract.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter and join 10k other GovConleaders
about GovCon news and Upcoming Coming Opportunities.