Does Competition Exist Among GSA Schedule Holders?
Is there competition among GSA schedule holders?
Like everything else in federal sales, the answer is yes, no, and maybe
depending on who you talk to.
The General Services Administration says yes, there is competition because politically they could not give any other answer. They say competition takes place when they negotiate schedule prices prior to awarding a contract. Federal regulations require that the prices of items sold under schedule contracts are fair and reasonable.
GSA says competition also takes place when they select a vendor from the GSAAdvantage electronic Mall. Available items are presented lowest price first and best value considerations are used in making the selection. Or if GSA is using Requests for Quotes (RFQs) instead of GSAAdvantage, they say competition takes place because they issue Requests for Quotes to several vendors (usually three).
GSA is correct in saying that competition takes place both before and after contract award. The question is, "How much?"
Most vendors using GSA schedules to make sales based on established relationships would say that schedule competition is minimal. Most prospective vendors looking at the federal market from the outside believe that a low price will win and hope to make sales by responding to RFQs. Hope is the operative word here.
But it can happen. Just don't respond to RFQs asking for an "Analysis of the Socio-Economic Issues Resulting from Terrorism in a Third World Country". This one may be predetermined.
GSA schedules are designed to make federal buying fast and efficient. Speed and efficiency are in fact achieved with schedules but they also result in reduced competition. How much? It depends on which side of the fence you stand.
The General Services Administration says yes, there is competition because politically they could not give any other answer. They say competition takes place when they negotiate schedule prices prior to awarding a contract. Federal regulations require that the prices of items sold under schedule contracts are fair and reasonable.
GSA says competition also takes place when they select a vendor from the GSAAdvantage electronic Mall. Available items are presented lowest price first and best value considerations are used in making the selection. Or if GSA is using Requests for Quotes (RFQs) instead of GSAAdvantage, they say competition takes place because they issue Requests for Quotes to several vendors (usually three).
GSA is correct in saying that competition takes place both before and after contract award. The question is, "How much?"
Most vendors using GSA schedules to make sales based on established relationships would say that schedule competition is minimal. Most prospective vendors looking at the federal market from the outside believe that a low price will win and hope to make sales by responding to RFQs. Hope is the operative word here.
But it can happen. Just don't respond to RFQs asking for an "Analysis of the Socio-Economic Issues Resulting from Terrorism in a Third World Country". This one may be predetermined.
GSA schedules are designed to make federal buying fast and efficient. Speed and efficiency are in fact achieved with schedules but they also result in reduced competition. How much? It depends on which side of the fence you stand.
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