How much does GSA spend on contracts annually?

GSA's FY2025 contract spend is approximately $78 billion. In FY2024, the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program alone achieved $51.9 billion in sales, representing an 11% increase, with $18.2 billion going to small businesses.

What is a GSA Schedule contract?

A GSA Schedule contract, now consolidated into the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), is a long-term government-wide contract that provides federal, state, and local government buyers access to commercial products and services at volume discount pricing. It covers IT, professional services, facilities, and products, generating over $51 billion in annual sales.

How long does it take to obtain a GSA Schedule?

The timeline for obtaining a GSA Schedule typically runs 6-12 months from initial application to contract award. This includes time for preparing your offer, GSA review, negotiations, and final approval.

What is OASIS+ and when is Phase II launching?

OASIS+ is GSA's professional services contract vehicle with no ceiling and continuous open season. Phase II RFPs were released in January 2026, expanding to add Business Administration, Financial Services, Human Capital, Marketing & Public Relations, and Social Services domains.

What is the Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) for GSA contracts?

The Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) is a fee that GSA Schedule contractors must pay on their sales through the Schedule. Contractors are required to report and remit the IFF, which funds GSA's operation and management of the Schedule program.

Does having a GSA Schedule guarantee sales?

No, having a GSA Schedule is a license to compete, not a guarantee of sales. Schedule holders must actively market to end-user agencies and compete at the task order level to generate revenue.

What is Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance?

Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance is a requirement for products sold through GSA contracts. Products must be manufactured or substantially transformed in the United States or a designated country to meet TAA requirements.

What are GSA's major contract vehicles?

GSA's major contract vehicles include the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) with $51 billion in annual sales, OASIS+ for professional services, Alliant 2 GWAC with a $50 billion ceiling for IT services, Polaris for small business emerging technologies, and 2GIT for IT products and services.

What percentage of GSA spending goes to small businesses?

GSA achieved 35.84% of MAS spending and 42.10% of prime contract dollars to small businesses in FY2024. The agency's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) actively advocates for small business participation.

Where can I find GSA Schedule opportunities?

GSA Schedule opportunities can be found through GSA eLibrary (gsaelibrary.gsa.gov) for browsing existing contracts, SAM.gov for task order opportunities, and by monitoring agency forecasts and GSA Interact for upcoming procurements.

What is GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)?

The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) manages IT and professional services vehicles including Schedules, OASIS+, Alliant, and Polaris. FAS operates through specialized offices for Information Technology Category, Professional Services and Human Capital Categories, and General Supplies and Services Category.

What is GSA's Public Buildings Service (PBS)?

The Public Buildings Service (PBS) manages GSA's real property acquisitions and facilities management through regional offices. PBS oversees nearly 370 million rentable square feet of real estate for the federal government.

What are common NAICS codes for GSA contracting?

Common NAICS codes for GSA contracting include 541512 (Computer Systems Design), 541611 (Management Consulting), 561210 (Facilities Support), and 541519 (IT Services). Selecting appropriate NAICS codes is important for opportunity matching.

What is GSA Interact?

GSA Interact is GSA's platform for ongoing engagement with industry partners. It provides program announcements, training opportunities, and communication channels between GSA and contractors.

How can I engage with GSA's small business programs?

You can engage with GSA's small business programs by contacting regional OSDBU offices for one-on-one counseling, attending the 'First Friday' training series, participating in the annual 'Small Business Works' event, and using GSA Interact for ongoing engagement opportunities.

What is Alliant 2 and when does it expire?

Alliant 2 is a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) with a $50 billion ceiling that provides IT services through 2028. Task orders awarded under Alliant 2 can extend through 2033.

What are GSA's Best-in-Class (BIC) contract vehicles?

GSA's Best-in-Class (BIC) designations identify contract vehicles that meet government-wide standards for quality and efficiency. BIC vehicles receive spending priority under category management policies, making them strategically important for contractors.

What ongoing compliance requirements exist for GSA Schedule holders?

GSA Schedule holders must maintain ongoing compliance including price reductions clause adherence, regular catalog updates, Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) reporting and payments, and maintenance of competitive pricing with thorough documentation.

Back to Agency Guides

Federal Agency Guide

January 15, 2025

How to Win GSA Contracts

Q: What is the General Services Administration (GSA)?

The General Services Administration is the federal government's primary acquisition and property management agency, managing nearly 370 million rentable square feet of real estate and overseeing approximately $100 billion in annual products and services. Unlike agencies that buy for their own missions, GSA's primary role is enabling other agencies to procure efficiently through centralized contract vehicles, shared services, and category management leadership.

Manages government buildings, provides products and services, and develops policies.

$78 billion

FY2025 Contract Spend

Key Offices

GSA

Agency Code

Understanding GSA Procurement

The General Services Administration serves as the federal government's primary acquisition and property management agency, managing nearly 370 million rentable square feet of real estate and overseeing approximately $100 billion in annual products and services via federal contracts. Unlike agencies that buy for their own missions, GSA's primary role is enabling other agencies to procure efficiently through centralized contract vehicles, shared services, and category management leadership.

The March 2025 executive order 'Eliminating Waste and Saving Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Procurement' dramatically elevated GSA's importance, directing agencies to centralize purchasing of common goods and services through GSA. This represents a fundamental shift making GSA the central authority for civilian procurement. In FY2024, the GSA MAS program achieved $51.9 billion in sales (11% increase), with $18.2 billion going to small businesses. Less than 20% of common spending currently goes through GSA, indicating massive growth potential as consolidation proceeds.

How GSA Buys

GSA procurement is unique because the agency serves dual roles: buying for its own operations (primarily real estate, facilities, and administrative services) and establishing contract vehicles for government-wide use. For GSA Schedule contracts, the agency evaluates commercial pricing, terms and conditions, and contractor responsibility rather than traditional competitive source selections. Schedule holders then compete at the task order level. The January 2026 OASIS+ Phase II RFP release expands professional services domains. GSA emphasizes commercial practices, e-commerce capabilities, and transparent pricing. Unique requirements include Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance for products, adherence to GSA pricing policies, and Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) payments on sales. Timeline for obtaining a GSA Schedule typically runs 6-12 months, while task order competitions may take 30-90 days depending on complexity.

Major Contract Vehicles

GSA manages the government's most significant contract vehicles. The Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) consolidates former schedules into a single vehicle covering IT, professional services, facilities, and products, generating over $51 billion in annual sales. OASIS+ is expanding in Phase II (RFPs released January 2026) to add Business Administration, Financial Services, Human Capital, Marketing & Public Relations, and Social Services domains with no ceiling and continuous open season. Alliant 2 GWAC ($50 billion ceiling through 2028, task orders through 2033) provides comprehensive IT services. Polaris is GSA's small business GWAC focused on emerging technologies. 2GIT provides IT products and services. GSA Fleet manages vehicle leasing. Building services are procured through Public Buildings Service regional contracts. Access Schedule opportunities through GSA eLibrary (gsaelibrary.gsa.gov), obtain Schedule contracts through GSA's online application system, and monitor SAM.gov for task order opportunities.

Step 1: Get Registered

Before pursuing GSA contracts, ensure you have the foundational registrations in place:

Required Registrations

Essential for all federal contractors

✓ SAM.gov Registration (mandatory)

✓ Unique Entity ID (UEI)

✓ NAICS Codes for your services

✓ Small Business Certifications (if applicable)

Agency-Specific Requirements

GSA has specific certification and registration requirements that may include:

Certification Programs

✓ GSA Schedule (MAS) Contract

✓ GSA STARS III

✓ 8(a) STARS III

✓ OASIS+

Step 2: Identify Opportunities

Finding the right GSA opportunities requires monitoring multiple sources and understanding where contracts are posted.

Primary Sources

SAM.gov: All federal opportunities over $25,000 are posted here
Agency Forecast: GSA publishes upcoming procurement forecasts
Agency-Specific Portals: Some offices have their own procurement sites
GovWin and other intelligence platforms: Early visibility into upcoming opportunities

Key GSA Offices

Major contracting organizations

• Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)

• Public Buildings Service (PBS)

• Office of Government-wide Policy

• Technology Transformation Services (TTS)

• 18F

Top Contract Types

GSA frequently procures the following types of goods and services:

IT Products & Services

Professional Services

Facilities Management

Office Supplies

Furniture

Travel Services

Step 3: Position Your Company

Winning GSA contracts requires strategic positioning before opportunities are released.

Build Relationships

Attend GSA Industry Days and vendor outreach events
Meet with Small Business specialists at key offices
Participate in GSA-focused industry associations
Request capability briefings with program managers

Relevant NAICS Codes

Common NAICS codes for GSA contracting include:

541512 - Computer Systems Design
541611 - Management Consulting
561210 - Facilities Support
541519 - IT Services

Step 4: Develop Winning Proposals

GSA evaluates proposals based on technical approach, past performance, and price. Here's how to stand out:

Technical Approach

Demonstrate deep understanding of GSA's mission and challenges
Propose innovative solutions aligned with agency priorities
Show relevant experience with similar federal agencies
Include qualified key personnel with appropriate clearances

Past Performance

Highlight relevant federal contract experience
Include contracts of similar size, scope, and complexity
Provide strong references from government clients
If new to federal, emphasize relevant commercial experience

Pricing Strategy

Research competitive pricing through FPDS and USASpending
Ensure rates are competitive but sustainable
Provide clear cost breakdowns and justifications
Consider best value vs. lowest price evaluation criteria

Winning Strategies for GSA

Prioritize obtaining and maintaining GSA Schedule and OASIS+ contracts as the executive order consolidation increases their strategic importance across government
Invest in e-commerce and digital catalog capabilities as GSA emphasizes online ordering and commercial buying practices
Monitor OASIS+ Phase II closely and position for new domains (Business Administration, Financial Services, Human Capital) being added
Develop expertise in GSA's Best-in-Class (BIC) designations and category management to understand which vehicles receive spending priority
Maintain competitive pricing and thorough documentation as GSA evaluation and compliance requirements are rigorous

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Treating GSA Schedule as a guarantee of sales rather than a license to compete, and failing to actively market to end-user agencies
Underestimating ongoing compliance requirements including price reductions clause, catalog updates, and Industrial Funding Fee reporting
Failing to adapt to the procurement consolidation executive order which significantly changes the competitive landscape and vehicle utilization patterns

Small Business Programs at GSA

GSA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) advocates for small business participation and achieved 35.84% of MAS spending and 42.10% of prime contract dollars to small businesses in FY2024. The office hosts 'First Friday' training series covering how to do business with GSA, including MAS Program overview, forecasting tools, and SubNet. Programs include 8(a) Business Development set-asides, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) programs, HUBZone preferences, and SDVOSB set-asides. Regional OSDBU offices provide one-on-one counseling. The annual 'Small Business Works' event connects small businesses with federal buyers. GSA Interact, LinkedIn, and quarterly Office Hours provide ongoing engagement opportunities.

Key Contracting Offices

GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) manages IT and professional services vehicles including Schedules, OASIS+, Alliant, and Polaris through the Office of Information Technology Category, Office of Professional Services and Human Capital Categories, and Office of General Supplies and Services Category. The Technology Transformation Services (TTS) including 18F handles digital services acquisitions. The Public Buildings Service (PBS) manages real property acquisitions through regional offices. The Office of GSA IT (GSA IT) handles internal technology needs. Regional acquisition centers support local federal customers. Engagement approaches include attending GSA training events, participating in industry days for specific vehicles, monitoring GSA Interact for program announcements, and building relationships with category managers.

How Sweetspot Can Help

Winning GSA contracts requires staying on top of opportunities and submitting compliant proposals quickly. Sweetspot helps you:

Discover GSA opportunities across all offices and contract vehicles
Get instant alerts when relevant solicitations are posted
Generate compliant proposals with AI-assisted writing
Track your GSA pipeline and improve win rates
Analyze past awards to understand competitive landscape

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