GSA Advantage Item Listing

How Government Agencies Buy From GSA Schedules

Government agencies use contract vehicles like the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program to purchase many of the products and services they need from commercial customers. The GSA Schedules Program provides over 11 million products and services to federal, state, and local government buyers, and is often the preferred contract vehicle for government agencies. This is because GSA has simplified the acquisition process to make purchasing of products and services as smooth and efficient as possible.

But how exactly do government customers buy from GSA Schedules? As a current or prospective contractor, it’s important you not only understand how to become a contractor, maintain your GSA Schedule, and market your solutions, but you should also know how government buyers purchase from your GSA Schedule contract.

GSA eLibrary

GSA eLibrary is a directory of all GSA Schedule contractors. It also lists all the Large Categories and SINs available through the GSA MAS Program. GSA eLibrary contains contractor award information such as the contract number, contract terms and conditions, the primary Point of Contact, contact information, and any special business designations. It also provides easy links to a contractor’s catalog on GSA Advantage organized by SIN.

Government agencies can use this site to learn more about a contractor and if their solutions fit their needs. If they choose to buy, they can reach the contractor’s POC directly or order through the GSA Advantage links. Since GSA eLibrary is considered the main directory for contractor information, contractors should always keep this site updated with their current information.

GSA eBuy

Another online buying tool that contractors can utilize is GSA eBuy. GSA eBuy is used as a Request for Quote (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP) tool. eBuy is designed to facilitate the request for submission of quotes for a variety of commercial products and services. Government buyers often prefer to use this site to fulfill their quoting requirement, so it's an important site to get familiar with.

Anyone with a GSA Schedule can access eBuy and bid on RFQs and RFPs using their awarded contracts to add their products to the GSA NSN Catalog. State and local government entities can also use eBuy to post RFQs and RFPs for GSA Schedule supplies and services under the Cooperative Purchasing Program and the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program.

eBuy maximizes the buying power for government agencies. By leveraging the power of the purchasing through the internet, eBuy increases contractor participation to obtain quotations that result in best value purchase decisions. Government agencies can also select certain contractors when they submit an RFQ or RFP, so you may receive requests within the system. Without receiving a request, contractors are encouraged to go after opportunities that apply to them. Contractors only see opportunities related to the Special Item Numbers (SINs) they sell under, so most opportunities will be relevant.