About 600,000 federal credit card holders spend $15-$20 billion annually. This federal market is like the commercial market in nearly every respect.

Credit card holders make purchases to operate federal programs on a day-to-day basis -- e.g., office supplies, computer equipment. They have delegated authority to make sole source buys of up to $2,500 using a government credit card. Buys can be made without any restrictions.

GSA schedules are not a priority source in this market. And yet credit card holders like GSA pricing for best value and appearance reasons.

This market is not public, so you will have to reach out to credit card holders to let them know that you have what they need. You should sell to them using telephone (often the best method), email, fax, or personal sales visit.

Federal credit card holder contact lists are published at some agency web sites. Some, however, have been taken off the web in recent months. Most agency lists are still available, though, through written request under the Freedom of Information Act.