What is the GSA Schedule?

The GSA Schedule is a streamlined procurement vehicle that simplifies the buying process for federal agencies and other eligible entities. It covers a broad range of products and services.

Benefits of the GSA Schedule

1. Access to Government Contracts: Being on the GSA Schedule makes it easier for government buyers to find and procure your products and services.

2. Streamlined Procurement Process: Simplifies the procurement process for both the government and contractors, reducing administrative costs and time.

3. Increased Visibility: Your company is listed in GSA eLibrary and GSA Advantage!, which are widely used by federal procurement officers.

4. Volume Pricing: Offers potential for increased sales through government volume purchasing.

Requirements for GSA Schedule

1. Eligibility: Businesses must meet certain criteria, including financial stability, past performance, and regulatory compliance. (A business has two (2) years to make $25K in revenue off the GSA schedule & then afterwards, make $25K annually in revenue to stay compliant.)

2. Products and Services Compliance: Offerings must comply with Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and other relevant federal regulations.

3. Pricing: Prices must be fair and reasonable, typically based on commercial pricing and volume discounts. 

4. Past Performance: Demonstrated ability to meet the terms and conditions of previous contracts.

5. Commercial Sales Practices (CSP) Disclosure: Full disclosure of commercial pricing practices to ensure the government is receiving the best value.

Key Updates and Changes for FY 2024

1. Consolidation: Continued efforts to consolidate multiple schedules into a single MAS to simplify the buying and selling process.

2. Electronic Tools: Enhanced use of electronic tools like eOffer, eBuy, and GSA Advantage! for streamlined procurement.

3. Cybersecurity: Increased emphasis on cybersecurity requirements, particularly for IT and related services.

4. Sustainability: Greater focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly products and services.

Resources for Contractors

Help with MAS contracts to sell to government agencies | GSA

Forecast Tool | Acquisition Gateway

GSA events | GSA

Defense Production Act Title III FOA: Expansion of Domestic Production Capability and Capacity:

ACTIVE Contract Opportunity Notice ID

# FA8650-19-S-5010S

The Department of Defense (DoD) has released an updated Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) under the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III. The FOA aims to expand domestic production capabilities and capacity, specifically targeting critical national defense sectors. Managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), this initiative is crucial for maintaining and enhancing the United States' defense industrial base.

Key Updates: On FOA # FA8650-19-S-5010S

1. Extended Deadline: The closing date for the FOA has been extended from July 12, 2024, to July 12, 2025. This extension provides additional time for applicants to submit their proposals.

2. Increased Funding: The cost ceiling for the FOA has been raised from $5 billion to $9 billion, equally split between the government and recipients. This increase highlights the program's expanded scope and importance.

3. Submission Suspension: Submission and acceptance of White Papers have been suspended until further notice. Applicants should monitor SAM.gov for future updates regarding submission processes.

Hybrid FOA Structure:

Open FOA (Two-Step Process):

Step One: Submission of white papers and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) on proposed projects anytime during the open period. Projects must align with identified Topic Areas.

Step Two: Favorably reviewed white papers may lead to a request for formal technical and cost proposals, evaluated for potential negotiations and award.

Note: White paper submission will be suspended for areas covered by active Calls. White papers related to active Calls will be reviewed post-call awards.

FOA with Calls (One-Step Process):

Periodic Call announcements will request proposals for specific DPA Title III projects.

Offerors must monitor SAM.gov for updates and new Call announcements referencing FOA # FA8650-19-S-5010.

This FOA represents a significant opportunity to enhance the U.S. defense industrial base through increased funding and extended deadlines, encouraging broader participation and innovative proposals. 

For more information related to DPA Title III, please reach out to your CT APEX counselor.

Introducing Our Rebranded CT APEX Accelerator Website!

Our program recently underwent a name change per the Department of Defense, Office of Small Business Program's directive. We were previously known as the Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Center, or CTPTAC. We will be sunsetting that name permanently across all platforms starting August 1, so please get accustomed to seeing the CTAPEX brand!

We are thrilled to be finalizing the rework of our entire website to provide better visibility of our mission, vision, clients, tools, and resource partners. The new domain name will also reflect our new brand, under the APEX Accelerators. While our name has changed, please note that our dedication to providing gold star government contracting assistance remains. We are excited for you to explore our fresh, user-friendly website and find the same exceptional services that you have always relied on. We will be posting on social media once the website link is live, so please follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn if you haven't already!

CTAPEX Facebook

CTAPEX LinkedIn

APEX Accelerator Website

The SBA Certification Update

As some of you may have heard or seen on social media or through government agencies related to the topic, the system that deals with the Small Business Administration certification processes is going to be going offline for a little while. That may sound daunting and nerve-wracking, but this won’t go on for a long time. The SBA is simply updating the system to perform better for its end users. The system upgrade will begin in August 2024 and the tentative relaunch date will be in early September.

The certifications that will be impacted by this temporary pause in service will be the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), 8(a) Business Development Program, Veteran Small Business Certification (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), & Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Program.

You may be wondering what this means to you, the end users. Well, most certified firms won’t be impacted by the pause in applications. The SBA asks that new applicants if unable to submit their certification applications prior to AUGUST 1st, 2024, should wait for the upgraded system to come online. If the application is still in draft status on that date, it will be deleted.

If an existing firm needs to renew their certification, they will receive guidance from their specific certification program. If the firm is facing a critical deadline there is an email and phone number that you can contact. That information will be provided at the end of the article. The SBA asks if you fall in that category to provide the proposal number, agency, and bid due date.

The SBA understands the frustration that this temporary pause in service will cause but it is necessary to improve the system so that it works more efficiently and makes the process easier for the end-user, you. The SBA will send out resources and guidance throughout the process. Visit certify.sba.gov for the most current guidance or contact them at certifications@sba.gov or (202) 205-6459.

Your CTAPEX Accelerator is here to assist with any of your federal, state, or local certification needs.

Drafting a SBIR Proposal 

Sometimes a small business can have a great groundbreaking idea but lack the resources to bring it to market. With the SBIR program, small businesses can create a proposal to showcase their idea for the needs of a government agency. Drafting a great SBIR proposal begins with thorough preparation and understanding of the SBIR program’s objectives and requirements.

  First, you need to research the specific solicitations and focus areas of the participating federal agencies. Each SBIR phase—Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III—has distinct goals, from feasibility and prototype development to commercialization. Dive into past awarded proposals and current topics to ensure your project aligns perfectly with the agency’s initiatives.

The next crucial step is to clearly define and articulate your project’s significance and innovation. Start with a compelling executive summary that outlines the problem, your innovative solution, and its potential impact. This summary must grab the reviewers' attention immediately, showcasing the novelty of your approach and its relevance to the funding agency’s mission. Highlighting your solution’s uniqueness and superiority over existing alternatives will strengthen your proposal.

Moving into the technical section, it’s essential to present a well-structured and detailed research plan. This should include your objectives, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes. The plan should be logical and thorough, with clearly defined tasks, timelines, and milestones. In addition to the technical aspects, your SBIR proposal must also emphasize the team’s expertise and resources. Detail the qualifications, experience, and previous successes of your key personnel. If applicable, include information about your facilities and any partnerships or collaborations that will support your efforts. Robust evidence of your capacity to deliver on your proposal instills confidence in the reviewers.

Lastly, your commercialization strategy is a vital component. SBIR programs are designed not only to foster innovation but also to bring research to the market. Describe your plan for taking the developed technology from the lab to the marketplace. This should cover market analysis, potential customers, competitive analysis, intellectual property considerations, and your business model. A well-thought-out commercialization strategy demonstrates that your project has real-world applications and a pathway to economic viability, enhancing the overall strength of your proposal.

For hands-on assistance with preparing an SBIR proposal, please reach out to your CTAPEX counselor.