Foundational Information - Introductory Level Explanations, Definitions, and Examples

GSA is transitioning to Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) as the preferred method of sending orders to vendors as part of the vendor direct delivery program, which supports the Federal Acquisition Service’s performance goals of operating efficiently and effectively. EDI is the electronic interchange of business information using a standardized format. EDI transaction sets are utilized by GSA Global Supply to identify, process, and track all vendor direct orders. Vendor direct orders are orders that customers place through GSA and are processed and shipped directly by the vendor.

Preservation, packaging, packing, marking and labeling of domestic and overseas HAZMAT surface shipments shall comply with all of the requirements in:

All GSA vendors must follow General Services Administration Acquisition Manual (GSAM) clause 552.211-73 stipulates that all deliveries going directly to Civilian Agencies (and do not use the DLA transportation network) must be marked, labeled, and packaged in accordance with Federal Standard 123-H (FED-STD-123H). 

Unit and intermediate package labels: Must include the data elements listed in FED-STD-123-H.

All shipments, including parcel delivery, to DoD customers in the Contiguous United States (CONUS) and to customers Outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS) that are shipped via the DLA transportation network, must adhere to DoD standards on marking, labeling, and packaging shipments, which are published in Military Standard 129R (MIL-STD-129R): Military Marking for Shipment and Storage Standards.
Sections of note in this document include:

In 2011, GSA’s Office of General Supplies and Services (GSS) began implementing a Supply Transformation (ST) initiative designed to modernize the business line’s wholesale and retail programs. ST resulted in a transition from the GSA stock based fulfillment model to a direct vendor-to-customer delivery model, which GSA refers to as Strategic Partner Delivery (SPD). The transition to the SPD model requires stringent vendor compliance with marking, labeling, and packaging requirements to ensure customers are able to receive and efficiently process incoming shipments.

Federal Supply Schedule is simply another term for Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). FAR Section 8.4 of the FAR describes the procedures that must be followed when a federal customer is purchasing goods or services from a MAS contract. Contractors should be familiar with these requirements so that they are better prepared to generate quotes and accept orders from federal customers.

The FAR provides uniform policies and procedures for the acquisition of supplies and services by Executive Agencies. It may be helpful to understand how your customers utilize the GSA Schedule contracting vehicle when working with your future GSA Schedule customers. Please review the FAR website for more information. The Multiple Award Schedule program is authorized by FAR 38 and the ordering procedures are prescribed at FAR 8.4. 

MAS contractors providing professional labor categories must demonstrate the personnel they are providing under each GSA task order to meet the minimum qualifications as specified in their contract.

Professional services labor employees are:

The Trade Agreements Act (TAA) is the enabling statute that implements numerous multilateral and bilateral international trade agreements and other trade initiatives. The TAA applies to all GSA Schedule contracts unless otherwise stated in the solicitation or contract. The TAA limits the country of origin for products sold through your Schedule contract, in general, this means the following may be sold: