u.s. general services administration making the most of the vendor support center (vsc)

U.S. General Services Administration

Making the Most of the Vendor

Support Center (VSC)

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#10

I’m thinking about submitting a proposal.

What do I do next?

Getting Started

• Pathway to Success– Web-based education that gives you the information to

answer the question, “Is the Schedules program right for me?”

• Schedules e – Library– Source for info on Schedule and GWAC contractors and the

millions of supplies and services that they offer • MAS Express Program

– Streamlined offer process to expedite Schedule contract awards

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#9

I was just awarded my contract. Now what?

First Steps

• New Contractor Orientation – Web-based education that gives you the tools that you need

to manage your Schedule contract effectively• New Contractor iGuide

– Comprehensive resource guide• The Steps to Success: How to Be a Successful Contractor

– Publication on some basic contract info that you need to be successful

• GSA Steps – Quarterly e-letters that cover the latest and greatest

contract-related news

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#8

How do I get my pricelist on GSA Advantage?

Your GSA Pricelist

• Register Your Contract – Register to use SIP or EDI to upload your pricelist.

Have your contract number and DUNS ready!• Vendor Start-up Kits

– Schedules Input Program (SIP)– Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

• Take Training• Check Your File Status

– Tool that allows you to check on whether your file has been approved, rejected, or under review

• Keep your pricelist information up to date!

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#7

How do I report my sales and pay the

Industrial Funding Fee?

Sales Reporting and IFF Remittance

• Reporting Sales– Register with the 72A Reporting System– Explore the “real life” demo on reporting sales– Browse the FAQs

• Remitting the Industrial Funding Fee– ePay…use your credit card or pay with an online check!– Guide to walk you through electronically remitting the

Industrial Funding Fee– Mandatory online payment requirement is coming, so stay

ahead of the curve

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#6

I am confused by the different types of modifications. Isn’t a “mod” a “mod”?

Modifications

• eMod (Contractor-Initiated)– Web-based training– Quick Facts– Submit your modification

• Mass Mods (GSA-Initiated)– Take action on Mass Mods – Modification Library to view content of all Mass Mods– Modification Record specific to your contract

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#5

If I’m a large business, where do I go to submit my subcontracting reports?

Subcontracting (eSRS)

• Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS)– Paper plans no longer accepted

• Guides, Sample Reports, FAQs, Training Classes available

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#4

I forgot my passwords, and I don’t know who to contact. What should I do?

Lost Your Password

• Most info at VSC is free– No logins, no passwords, no GSA contract number

• Recover Passords– ‘Lost your password?’ Tab

• ACO Locator tool– Find your ACO, all you need is your contract number– Contact your ACO for any GSA contract administration

question

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#3

What websites do I need to update when my company information changes?

Keeping Basic Info Current

• GSA websites– e – Library (www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov)– GSA Advantage! (www.gsaadvantage.gov)

• Business Partner Network (www.bpn.gov) – Central Contractor Registration (CCR)– Online Representations and Certifications (ORCA)

• Don’t lose a sale due to out of date or incorrect contact information!

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#2

How do I find out about what’s going on in the Federal procurement arena?

Government Buying

• Schedule Sales Query (SSQ)– provides the sales reported by contractors for specific report

quarters • GSA Advantage! sales

– Provides Schedule and individual contractor sales data for buys through GSA Advantage!

• Federal Procurement Data System – Next Generation (FPDS-NG)– Central repository of statistical information on all federal

contracting• Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps)

– Contains most solicitations and selected contract award information

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#1

How can GSA help me sell my products and services to the Government?

Marketing

• GSA’s eBuy– An electronic Request for Quote (RFQ) / Request for

Proposal (RFP) system for Schedules and GWACs • The Steps to Success: How to Be a Successful Contractor

– Section 2: Marketing Your Contract• Pathway to Success and the New Contractor Orientation

webcasts • FAS Marketing Efforts

– Links provide info on FAS messaging, marketing events, logo guidelines, and other resources for your use

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BONUS!

What is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and where can I find more info about it?

Recovery Act

• GSA Schedules will be a tool for Government Agencies to use to spend Recovery Act dollars

• To accept Recovery Act orders, GSA Schedule contracts must contain the applicable Recovery Act clauses

• Clauses can be added to contracts by accepting mass modification on or around June 16, 2009

• Modification is optional– Accepting the mod will give you an ARRA symbol in GSA

Advantage!– Declining the mod will exclude you from accepting Recovery

Act dollars

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Discussion

Explore the VSC. We covered a lot of the tools and information, but not everything.

A few other helpful websites:• http://www.acquisition.gov/• Federal Acquisition Jumpstation

– http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/fedproc/home.html

• Jeff Lakin - jeffrey.lakin@gsa.gov• Tom Burt - thomas.burt@gsa.gov