GSA Supply Schedules
Q. Our agency is in the process of implementing a Bus Stop Improvement Schedule. The City hired an architect (via a competitive process) to develop a Master Plan and Design Guidelines. The Master Plan/Design Guidelines have been completed and adopted by Council. In this Master Plan the architect identified esthetic guidelines and recommended the brand names for the bus stop amenities (shelter, type of bench and trash receptacle).
We recently learned that these items are available from the GSA schedule. I received the GSA contract. We did a cost/price analysis and determined that it would be to our benefit to purchase these brand name items from the GSA contract versus going out for bid (brand name or approved equal). Does FTA allow procurements from GSA contract?
A. FTA does not restrict procurements by grantees from GSA schedule contracts. However, Congress has not opened all of the GSA supply schedules to grantees. At the present time, State and local governments are authorized to purchase from GSA’s Schedule 70 - Information Technology contracts. The GSA IT page:
http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?P=FCIM&contentId=8273&contentType=GSA_OVERVIEW. Therefore, State and local government grantees are authorized to purchase IT equipment directly from the vendors on GSA Schedule 70, without having to conduct a separate competitive procurement.
In addition, Congress has authorized State and local government entities to use any GSA Federal Supply Schedule to acquire property and services in advance of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States, as well as in the aftermath of an emergency event. The State or local government is then responsible for ensuring that the property or services acquired will be used for recovery. More information about major disaster and emergency recovery acquisition is available at GSA’s Web site: http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?faq=yes&pageTypeId=8199&contentId=22410&contentType=GSA_OVERVIEW. (Revised: July 9, 2009)
