GSA Schedule (Multiple Award Schedule)

A GSA Schedule, formally the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), is a long-term contract between the General Services Administration (GSA) and your company that lets any federal agency buy your commercial products or services at pre-negotiated prices using simplified procedures.

What is GSA Schedule (Multiple Award Schedule)?

The GSA Schedule is the mega-catalogue of government purchasing. It is a long-term contract between GSA and your company, not a separate supplier list run by a single agency. Once you hold a Schedule, any federal buyer (and some state and local governments for certain categories) can purchase from you without running a full open competition each time. The MAS covers nearly everything the government buys: IT, professional services, furniture, office supplies, vehicles, security, construction, and scientific equipment. There is no spending ceiling, and more than 20,000 companies hold a Schedule across all categories. Over $40 billion a year flows through GSA Schedules. To get on, you submit a GSA Schedule proposal in response to the MAS Solicitation, a process that usually takes 6 to 12 months. You must show commercial sales history, provide pricing (often based on your Most Favored Customer pricing), and have an adequate accounting system.

Why GSA MAS matters for government contractors

A Schedule is often the first contract vehicle a company pursues because it gives the broadest access and is the most attainable. Holding one shortens procurement timelines and lets agencies buy from you faster, which agencies strongly prefer. Buyers issue task orders through GSA eBuy and GSA Advantage!, and larger orders may also appear on SAM.gov. Many contractors start with a Schedule, then layer on a Governmentwide Acquisition Contract or an agency-specific IDIQ for bigger deals.

Example

A software company wins a GSA Schedule after a 9-month proposal review. A federal agency goes to GSA eBuy, selects the matching Special Item Number, and sends a Request for Quotation only to companies on that Schedule. Because the company is already on the catalogue with approved pricing, it competes against a small set of holders and wins a task order in weeks rather than running a months-long open competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a GSA Schedule the same as a GWAC?

No. A GSA Schedule is a long-term contract between GSA and your company that any agency can buy from, while a GWAC is a separate governmentwide vehicle for specific scopes like IT. Many contractors hold both. The Schedule is usually the baseline vehicle that companies pursue first. Read our GSA Schedule (MAS) guide for the full comparison.

How long does it take to get a GSA Schedule?

Getting on the MAS typically takes 6 to 12 months from submitting your proposal in response to the MAS Solicitation to award. You must demonstrate commercial sales, provide pricing (often based on Most Favored Customer pricing), and show an adequate accounting system. The timeline depends on how complete and competitive your proposal is.

Where are GSA Schedule orders posted?

Task orders are posted through GSA eBuy and GSA Advantage!, and larger orders may also appear on SAM.gov. Buyers select a Special Item Number and send a Request for Quotation to companies on the applicable Schedule. Many smaller eBuy RFQs are never cross-posted to SAM.gov, so they are easy to miss.

Does a GSA Schedule have a spending ceiling?

No. The GSA Schedule is open-ended with no ceiling, so there is no fixed dollar cap on what can be ordered against it. Each task order is competed among Schedule holders within the relevant category. Your individual pricing and Special Item Numbers define what you can sell.

What does the right NAICS code have to do with my Schedule?

Your work maps to one or more categories, and your NAICS code helps classify the products and services you offer to the government. Choosing the correct codes affects which opportunities you appear eligible for and how small-business size standards apply. Align your codes with the Special Item Numbers on your Schedule so buyers can find you.