GSA Enters Third Phase of Multiple Award Schedule Consolidation

The General Services Administration concluded the second of its three-phase Multiple Award Schedule consolidation effort July 31, and is preparing to embark on the final leg of a project that began in late 2018, the agency announced Monday.

During the third phase, industry partners will consolidate their multiple contracts to one per unique entity identifier, which officials believe will simplify how customers identify solutions.

“Now we’re entering the ‘home stretch’ of MAS consolidation and focusing on schedule holders with multiple contracts,” said GSA Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Julie Dunne in a statement. “During this final phase we’ll consolidate their multiple contracts down to one, making it easier for customers to find and purchase the solutions they need to meet their missions. Bottom line, our goals are to improve customer service, make it easier for small businesses to access the schedules program, and reduce duplication for all our contractors.”

During the first phase, GSA consolidated its 24 schedules into a single solicitation for products, goods and services. In the second phase, existing contracts were updated to meet terms and conditions into the single solicitation created by phase one’s consolidation. According to GSA, 99% of contractors signed on for the mass modification prior to July 31. GSA Administrator Emily Murphy said the consolidation is already having a positive effect on acquisition.

“MAS consolidation is already improving the experience for our agency customers and our vendors—making it easier and faster for companies to modify contracts and add Special Item Numbers, and for contracting officers to place orders for the goods and services they need,” Murphy said in a statement. “I congratulate [the Federal Acquisition Service] for listening to our stakeholders and delivering these results ahead of schedule. GSA looks forward to the many benefits for customers and industry that will come from phase three of this project.”

Through the Multiple Award Schedule, GSA creates long-term, governmentwide contracts with commercial companies that provide upwards of 10 million supplies and services used by federal, state and local agencies. Each year, the government spends more than $30 billion through the schedule.