December is the national month of giving, and this year GSA will be giving us MAS Refresh 23. There are many changes and updates being made not only to the solicitation, but also to Special Item Numbers (SINs) and select Large Categories. While the exact date for the release has not been disclosed, GSA has shared the upcoming revisions to GSA Interact. Below is a synopsis of all the changes in store.

Overall MAS Solicitation Updates

1. No revisions to SCP-FSS-001 Instructions Applicable to All Offerors with Refresh 23
2. Update to Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) Wage Determinations
   1. No clause/policy changes.
   2. Ensure offerors/contractors are using updated pricing and WD numbers in the SCA Matrix.
   3. Complete set of incorporated WDs can be found on GSA.gov
3. Revisions to Offer and Modification Price Proposal Templates
   1. Updates to options and accessories language on Tab 1
   2. Changes to unit of measure and issue definition.
   3. Adding a reference and change log tab
      1. To be included on all PPTs
      2. Will outline all the changes that have taken place
4. Retire clause I-FSS-600 Contract Price Lists
   1. Replaced with a Federal Supply Schedule Terms and Conditions File template and uploaded as appropriate.
5. FAC 2025-01 and GSAR Change 192  (Change 187 will not be included in the clause and provision updates)
   1. Incorporate new provision and clause to identify single-use plastic free packaging availability for products
      1. Encouraging MAS suppliers to offer products with single use plastic free packaging (aka Sub Free Packaging) to the maximum extent practicable.
      2. New icon on GSA Advantage for those offering sub free shipping packaging. It will be a brown box with a green leaf coming out of the open box.
      3. New icon on GSA Advantage for brand packaging. It will resemble a beverage carton.
      4. To take advantage of the new icons, contractors must coordinate with their product manufacturers and submit on the Verified Products Portal (VPP) at https://vpp.xsb.com
   2. Incorporate clause FAR 52.240-1 Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act – Covered Foreign Entities (NOV 2024)
      1. Contractors are required to search Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) for a list of American Security Drone Act covered foreign entities prior to proposing or using any unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in the performance of a contract.
      2. To be included in solicitations used and contracts awarded after November 12, 2024
      3. CO must modify existing IDIQ contracts and implement the prohibition
      4. Will take effect on or after December 20, 2025
      5. Public comment period is open until January 13, 2025.
      6. GSA will not award any contracts for drone or UAS except for those approved by the Department of Defense- Defense Innovation Unit-Blue UAS program

Updates to Specific Large Category, Subcategory or SIN

1. All Large Categories- Under General Information section, additional language to be added to Drones/Unmanned Aircraft Systems
2. Facilities-Facilities Maintenance and Repair Subcategory-SIN 561210FAC
   1. Removing renewable energy systems from SIN description
   2. Adding two SIN notes:
      1. Waste Management as defined for SIN 561210FAC processes involved in managing waste from cradle to grave.
      2. Ancillary Supplies are included under this SIN; however, supplies awarded under this SIN shall not be the primary purpose of the work but be an integral part of the total solution offered. Supplies provided under this SIN must be ancillary to the services offerings under this SIN and may only be ordered in conjunction with the purchase of services under this SIN.

3. Office Management-Office Supplies Subcategory (A09) – SINs:
   339940 – Office Products
   339940OS4 OS4 Office Products and Supplies
   339940OVER OS4 Overseas Office Products and Supplies
   339940SVC Office Supply Support Services
   1. Revising SIN instructions regarding the FOB note -to be applicable, individual item (based on the UOI) must be 70 lbs. or more
   2. Items offered at pallet level must be awarded on their contract as UOI Pallet (PL)
   3. Contractor must identify instances where FOB Origin would be applicable in their contract terms and conditions text file.
4. Furniture and Furnishings-Packaged Furniture Subcategory SINs:
   337121P Packaged Household Dormitory and Quarters Furniture
   337127P International Packaged Furniture
   33721P Packaged Office Furniture
   339113P Packaged Healthcare Furniture
   1. Added note: Schedule-level Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTAs) apply to all orders under SIN 337121P, 337127P, 33721P and 339113P. The CTA Lead and Member(s) must be small businesses on set-aside orders. For more information on MAS Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTAs), please visit the Partner with other MAS contractors | GSA on the GSA.gov page.
5. Industrial Products
   1. Hardware & Tools Subcategory-SIN 332510S-Hardware Store, Home Improvement Center, Industrial or General Supply Store, or Industrial Maintenance Repair and Operations (MRO) Distributor – Store Front
      1. Remove the following statement from the SIN instructions: “Contractors submitting an offer under this SIN shall include your complete storefront(s).”
   2. Industrial Products Subcategory-SINs:
      335220D Domestic Appliances
      335220E Export Appliances
      1. Revising SIN instructions regarding the FOB note -to be applicable, individual item (based on the UOI) must be 70 lbs. or more
      2. Items offered at pallet level must be awarded on their contract as UOI Pallet (PL)
      3. Contractor must identify instances where FOB Origin would be applicable in their contract terms and conditions text file.
6. Information Technology- IT Services Subcategory:
   1. SIN 54151HACS Highly Adaptive Cybersecurity Services (HACS)
      1. Adding a note to the instructions
         1. HACS SIN Labor Categories shall be in alignment with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework) | NICCS . The NICE Framework is a nationally focused resource to help employers develop their cybersecurity workforce. It establishes a common lexicon that describes cybersecurity work and workers regardless of where or for whom the work is performed. The NICE Framework applies across public, private, and academic sectors
         2. When submitting new offers or modifications to add SIN 54151HACS, offerors shall include in the “keywords” column of the Price Proposal Template (PPT) the NICE Framework work role IDs that align with the labor categories proposed.
   2. SIN 518210FM Financial Management Quality Service Management Office (FM QSMO) Core Financial Management (FM) Solutions and IT Professional Services
      1. Update to the FM Solution/Service Definition Template
      2. Update to the Technical Narrative Response Template
      3. Add requirements to the Core FS Pre-Built BIE Response Template
      4. Add additional instructions to Core FS OCD Execution Plan
7. Transportation and Logistics Services-Motor Vehicles(non-Combat) Subcategory
   1. SIN 532112 Leasing of Passenger Cars, SUVs, Vans and Light Trucks – Updates to template and offer requirement documents
   2. SINs 336212 Trailers and Attachments & 3361V Vocational Vehicles – Add note to instructions regarding using alternative and sustainable material; and not to use materials that are banned on their vehicles, trailer body designs, and manufacturing.
8. Travel-Travel Agent and Misc. Services Subcategory SIN 561510-Travel Agent Services
   1. Updates to Statement of Work (SOW) scope, deliverables, definitions, service level agreements, TMC implementation and Transition in & Out, ETSNext Requirements, ETSNext Technology MSP and the Travel and Expense Business Standards, reports, standard services to be priced.
   2. Updates to the Travel Agent Services PPT

Updates to Modification and Mass Modification Guidance

1. Changes to the MAS Modification Guide and Sample cover letters
   1. Update requirements for associated SINs to be identified with number of products being modified.
   2. Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) price list requirement now a reminder
      1. 1. Pricelist to be displayed to GSA Advantage no later than 30 days after the completion of the modification
         2. Update to supporting documentation requirement to align with solicitation

Contractor’s Next Steps

These updates are specific in nature and cover a wide range of categories, subcategories, and SINs. It will be very helpful to review all the changes thoroughly before Refresh 23 is released. It is also important for contractors to understand all these updates, especially if these changes will affect their operations as all contractors are required to accept the modification.

Let Coley GCS know if you need guidance understanding the upcoming revisions or assistance implementing these changes within your contract. Coley GCS specializes in guiding clients through the complexities of GSA offers and modifications. Our expert team of advisors work with clients every step of the way, ensuring that they understand the new terms and conditions and the impact on their contract, which is essential to ensure compliance and alignment with the revised guidelines.

Coley has 24 years of experience helping thousands of companies obtain and manage their GSA schedule. With our support, you will be able adjust to the many updates GSA releases each year and ensure you remain compliant. Contact us today at hello@coleygsa.com, by phone at 210-402-6766, or book a time to discuss how to get started—a critical step on your road to success in the government market.

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