GSA MAS Solicitation Refresh #15
GSA is releasing a solicitation refresh #15 on January 18, 2023. These changes include description clarifications, Price Proposal Template updates, and NAICS size standards adjustments.
Inflationary Small Business Size Standard Increase
The Small Business Association (SBA) has reviewed economic trends and influences and released a final rule to allow for monetary size standards to be increased in line with inflation. This will benefit small businesses since it will allow them to continue to compete for government opportunities set aside for small businesses.
Update on the FY 2023 Congressional Budget
The Biden Administration has released its full FY 2023 budget with a base discretionary funding request of $1.582 trillion, 7.4 percent more than the comparable FY 2022 level. GSA contractors can expect a proposed increase for the upcoming budget. It is now a good time to ensure that your GSA Schedule pricelist and catalog are up to date and ready to receive orders.
Updates Available for the Upcoming GSA OASIS +
For those following the OASIS + contracting vehicle, there have been several recent developments to report. On November 15, GSA posted a draft RFP for industry comment as well as an industry survey. How can you prepare for the upcoming OASIS Plus?
A Review of 2022 to Map 2023 GSA Strategies
Government contractors continue to face challenges where they need to understand and adapt to the changing rules quickly, in order to stay competitive. We will summarize the changes over the past year and provide insights on how contract holders can map 2023 GSA strategies.
GSA and DAU Collaborate to Improve the Acquisition Processes
As GSA continues to look for ways to encourage collaboration between agencies and centralize solutions, their recent effort makes federal purchasing easier. GSA, together with the DAU have created a new tool for government buyers. It is an acquisition regulation comparator (ARC) which simplifies regulations comparisons with the goal of ensuring greater interagency compatibility, collaboration, and shortening the acquisitions process timeframe.
Will The TDR Program Come to an End?
The office of Inspector General (IG) at General Services Administration (GSA) released a report in September 2022 after reviewing how the contracting personnel perform price analyses to ensure GSA gets the best prices. Although the IG recommends terminating the program, GSA plans to move forward and expand the program to all contractors.
Small Business on Standby as New Rule May Reclassify Independent Contractors as Employees.
A newly proposed rule under The Fair Labor Standards Act could bring changes that affect Government contractors. While the rule is intended to avoid employers from misclassifying employees as independent contractors, its impacts to small businesses can be substantial. Everyone has an opportunity to provide feedback on this proposed rule. The deadline for comments is November 28, 2022.
Some Contracts May Face Suspension from GSA Advantage
Starting October 3, 2022, GSA will suspend contractors from GSA Advantage! that are not compliant with providing orders status before the order delivery due date has passed. GSA sends out bi-weekly emails to non-compliant contractors that have scores of 50% or below with at least 11 items on the report. This does not cancel contract, but removes them from GSA Advantage.
GSA to Expand Pilot E-Commerce Platform
GSA is expanding their Commercial Platform to new offerors that have experience selling to commercial and government clients. A draft RFP is open through the end of September 2022.
Helping Minority Businesses Gain Equity in the Government Market
The Biden administration declared September 18 – 24, 2022 Minority Enterprise Development Week. Also announced a 50% increase that would increase the goal for Small Disadvantage business from 10% to 15% by 2025 and result in about $100 billion more in contract awards to minority-owned businesses over a five-year period. Our experience gives us an understanding of the struggle small business owners face. This is exactly why it is our mission to provide resources and solutions that help small business owners avoid pitfalls and win more contracts.
SAM.gov Role Change Will Affect Registration Administration
SAM.gov updates entity registration roles and requires all Entity Administrators to hold positions in the registering entity, restricting third-parties to “Data Entry” roles.
Update on Covid Mandate For Federal Contractors
New guidance states that federal contractors are not required to mandate vaccinations for employees working onsite on federal contracts.
New Rule Opens Small Business Doors to Big Contracts
SBA creates a path for small business to obtain credit for past performance as a member of joint venture and first-tier subcontrator. A move that will expand the opportunities that prior to this rule, emerging small businesses would not be able to pursue.
GSA MAS Refresh #14 Impacts Financial Management Solutions
The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Services (FAS) is releasing a Refresh #14 to Solicitation 47QSMD20R0001. This refresh temporarily closes the Core Financial Management Solutions (Core FS) Subgroup of SIN 518210FM to new offers and modifications, however contractors will have alternative to continue to submit. After the review, the Subgroup will reopen.