Contract Specialists Limited :: Frequently Asked Questions


	Are you asking "all the right questions" but getting inaccurate responses about Government Business that lacks direction? CSL can provide those answers. Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions about the GSA and us. If you can't find your answer here please feel free to contact us. What is the GSA and how does GSA work? How do I know if CSL can bring value to my business as a contract administrator? How do I know if my product or service is marketable to government agencies? Where would we even begin the process to determine what paperwork or offices need to be contacted? How long does it take to complete processing a contract with the General Services Administration? What if there are questions about the government "lingo" or bureaucracy that our staff does not understand? What is involved once a contract has been awarded? What exactly is GSA Advantage!™? How do I put my products onto GSA Advantage!™? What is the GSA and how does GSA work? The General Services Administration (GSA) is the primary buying agent for the U.S. Government. The GSA provides contractors and vendors many systems by which they can submit their products and services for approval. Once approved, the GSA issues a contract that is used throughout the federal government, as well as, many states and cities. In general, contracts have a term of five years with multiple option periods. The GSA has "Standing Soliciations" for your company's products. Once you have made your proposal to the GSA, in their format, a Contracting Specialist and/or Contracting Officer will be assigned to your application. After completing the award of the contract and developing the pricing of your products, the GSA will issue an open-ended, government-wide contact. Back To Top How do I know if CSL can bring value to my business as a contract administrator? With over 200 agencies, the U.S. Federal Government has over 135,000 buyers and those numbers are increasing. In addition, over 800,000 federal users carry a Government issued credit card with varying monthly limits. CSL has over 35 years of experience within Government procurement that can add value to the qualified government sales team needed for this potential market. For your convenience, CSL bills for services on a monthly basis. Please feel free to contact us about what we can do for your business. Back To Top How do I know if my product or service is marketable to government agencies? Where would we even begin the process to determine what paperwork or offices need to be contacted? CSL works with its customers to perform an analysis of the products and/or services being offered to give full confidence before contractual agreements are made. Let us handle the necessary paperwork for your proposal. Back To Top How long does it take to complete processing of a contract with the GSA? CSL completes the development portion of the contract and has it ready for client signature within 30 days. GSA's standard processing time is 60-90 days. CSL maintains regular contact with the GSA and keeps it's clients informed throughout the process, answers any questions and provides written responses and/or required changes to secure the contract for your business. Back To Top What if there are questions about the government "lingo" or bureaucracy that our staff does not understand? Because CSL serves as your corporate representative, we will keep you informed through the entire process, and take the time to ensure your managment team understands everything. Back To Top What is involved once a contract has been awarded? Upon contract approval, Government Purchasing Agents and Program Management Personnel can buy your products via email, fax, written order, telephone, etc. Throughout the process, CSL will serve as your contract administrator. This allows you as the vendor, the time to dedicate your energies to those tasks most critical to the success of your main business and maintains the performance criteria you have established while CSL serves as your government sales team. Our highly qualified staff will assist your organization with publishing your new GSA schedule on GSA Advantage!™. Back To Top What exactly is GSA Advantage!™? The GSA Advantage!™ is the federal government's primary online shopping site for it's agencies. It is an electronic information and ordering system that connects your product and company to the federal government. The GSA requires the Contractor (you) to publish your product and information price list to the GSA Advantage!™ website. Posting to GSA Advantage!™ also registers your information with the E-Schedules library. This requirement is manditory for email quoting, ordering, bidding and information collection. Back To Top How do I put my products onto GSA Advantage!™? Once your contract with the GSA is in place, you can attempt to handle the GSA requirements yourself, but the process can be frustrating and time consuming. Additionally, the format for publication provided by the GSA results in a confused staff. Let the experienced professionals at CSL administer the required services for you. Our staff will prepare and publish your product information as a "stand alone", or in conjuction with your existing website. Your Schedule information can be published in html format with or without graphics. Getting your Schedule took hard time and effort, make it easy for Federal users to understand and place orders. Back To Top