GSA Contract Lookup: Your Guide to Efficient Government Contracting

Government contracts can be a reliable source of revenue for your small business if you have all of the necessary paperwork completed. When you begin looking for a way to provide your services to the federal government, the GSA is the best place to start. They have the systems to get your products in front of federal buyers easily. 

Today, we are focusing on contracts to provide services, a crucial component of the government's ability to operate effectively. 

Introduction to GSA Contracts

GSA contracts are key to government contract solutions. But what does it mean to have a GSA contract, and how does it benefit both vendors and government agencies?

A GSA-approved contractor, also known as a GSA schedule holder or GSA contract holder, is a commercial supplier that the GSA has awarded a contract. These contracts, called Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) or GSA Schedules, are pre-negotiated agreements between the government and prime government contractors, covering a wide range of aviation and aerospace products and services.

To become a GSA-approved contractor, companies must undergo a thorough evaluation process that involves demonstrating their ability to meet the government’s needs while complying with applicable regulations and standards. Once awarded a GSA contract, vendors gain access to a vast marketplace of federal agencies and departments, making the procurement process easier and providing them with a competitive edge in government contracting.

For aerospace and aviation companies, getting GSA approval can open doors to opportunities within the federal government, allowing them to showcase their expertise and capabilities on a national level.

At Greenwood Aerospace, we are trusted partners in advancing the nation’s aerospace and aviation objectives by providing government agencies with fixed-wing aircraft, government aircraft parts management, and aviation logistics services.

Types of Government GSA Contracts

GSA contracts come in many forms, each tailored to meet specific needs and requirements. Let’s break down four types of government GSA contracts, including:

  1. Schedule contracts
  2. Governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACs)
  3. Multiple award schedules (MAS)
  4. Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs)

These government contract awards offer flexibility and efficiency in acquiring goods and services for federal agencies. Next, we’ll look at where to find  the different types of GSA contracts and what they mean.

Finding and Managing Contracts

Your small business almost certainly specializes in offering one type of service, like aircraft MRO work, for instance. Since you know the ins and outs of your business, you need to know where to market your wares. 

The best place to find, market, and submit contracts is right there on SAM.gov. This is the primary source of contract information and is an official website operated by the GSA. While it is not exclusively for the DoD, since the GSA serves the entire federal government, SAM.gov is home to most of the contract opportunities in the entire federal government. 

Here are a couple of examples:

Sample #1: Auxiliary Power Unit

You can search the SAM.gov website like any other search engine, and it will return matching items. 

In this instance, we put in an ‘auxiliary power unit’ to see what matches the criteria. 

This is the first response to the query. The Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, is looking for contractors to submit proposals for the E-6B aircraft APU depot maintenance. Here is the description:

To compete with this contract, the submitting parties must meet all of the criteria. 

Sample #2: Contractor Logistics Support, C-20/C-37

This next one is different, but as a vendor of support services, you need to understand what government agencies use SAM.gov for. In this case, this is not an actual solicitation.

 

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Instead, the Air Force is looking for potential sources for CLS down the road. As you can see, this listing has been posted as active for almost 3 ½ years.

Beware of these listings; they are there solely for the government's information-gathering purposes. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but these are not listings that are competitively being bid on at present. Know the difference. 

Submitting a Contract Proposal

When you find an active proposal to bid on, you can do it all through SAM.gov. But there are a few steps you have to follow first. First and foremost, you have to be approved on the GSA Schedule, which we talk about here. Additionally, consider reviewing the official GSA.gov article on how to get on the Schedule. Here are a few of the key things to keep in mind:

  • To submit a proposal, vendors must first register with the GSA and obtain a unique entity ID through SAM.gov, the official government website for vendor registration. Read more about this in our article: A Guide to Getting on the GSA Schedule: Steps & Best Practices.
  • Vendors must have the necessary systems in place to meet GSA requirements, including a data management system and a reporting system. Getting on the GSA Schedule is a great way to increase your sales to government buyers, but they want to know that your business is a good fit for them. After all, this is their system, and they have their interests in mind. 
  • The GSA has resources to help vendors prepare and submit proposals, a proposal template, and a submission guide.

Maximizing Contract Benefits

At the end of the day, the GSA is most interested in its own best interests. They will bring on vendors that have proven track records of reliability and efficiency. 

For the GSA to select your business, focus on solid financials with a proven history of meeting timelines and budgets. Also, be sure to keep a keen eye on listings and put your bid in first. Do not bid on items that you cannot satisfy. 

Also, be sure to utilize all the tools available to you through the GSA. They want to get a great product, and you want to provide a great service; make sure to use the tools they have paid for to get on their radar. 

Greenwood Aerospace Works For You!

Greenwood Aerospace has a long and proven history of delivering high-quality products with efficient outcomes. We have spent over four decades building our business into what it is today, and we have made the connections you need to support the systems and aircraft in your service. 

Of course, that’s not all we do. We can also procure just about anything you need, from DUDE Wipes and bottled water to Royco 64 and Skydrol, and just about everything else in between. 

Greenwood Aerospace is a U.S. Department of State ITAR-registered company, enabling us to partner with large defense contractors on various military initiatives involving the export of ITAR-controlled items.

  • UEI: KVSUYYSJS174
  • DUNS: 604006874
  • Cage Code: 2Y735
  • ITAR DDTC Export Compliant
  • AS9120B QMS Certified
  • NAICS: 488190, 336413, 332722, 336411, 336413, 481212, 532411

For any questions, expedited delivery requests, large order inquiries, or to confirm product availability, reach out to Greenwood Aerospace at gsasales@greenwood.aero or give us a call at 580-865-6000 or 833-GSA-EBUY (833-472-3289). As a proud Native American-owned, HUBZone-certified small business, we are committed to delivering high-quality service with rapid, reliable delivery.