The GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program is the premier contract vehicle for the federal government. The MAS program is a long-term governmentwide contract between commercial suppliers and the federal government.
Suppliers give federal, and in some cases state and local buyers (including tribal governments and some educational institutions), access to millions of commercial products and services at negotiated ceiling prices.
Although MAS is the premier vehicle for government sales, including federal, state, and local government agencies, it is not a mandatory source. Getting a MAS contract does not guarantee business with the government.
As a MAS contractor, you will need to manage the contract, including accepting all contract modifications and reporting sales to GSA. Additionally, you must market your offerings to federal agency buyers and actively pursue business opportunities. Holding a MAS contract can potentially open doors for the contractor, but it requires effort and commitment on your part to succeed.
When thinking about getting a MAS contract, here’s what you need to do:
- Conduct market research and develop leads
- Some good questions to ask:
- Do potential customers you identified use the MAS program? If not, are they eligible and willing to do so?
- Do customers favor your products and services over the competition?
- How can you differentiate your company from other competition on the SIN(s) where you want to submit a proposal?
- Understand the prerequisites for getting a Schedule contract
- Know what to expect if awarded a Schedule contract
- This includes compliance, minimum sales, sales reporting, and pricing requirements and considerations.
- Learn about other avenues to doing business with the government and gaining experience, including subcontracting opportunities.
Make sure to visit our web resource for prospective contractors for more details on each item listed above.