As a part of the Federal Marketplace Strategy (FMP) to modernize and simplify the buying and selling experience, GSA recently rolled out the Verified Products Portal (VPP), a new manufacturer and wholesaler facing portal for authoritative product content. The VPP will collect information such as standardized manufacturer names, part numbers, and product specifications, as well as supplier authorization information This data populated by participating manufacturers and wholesalers will be used to ensure commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products are accurately represented on GSA marketplaces.
The supplier authorization information in the VPP will also be provided to the MAS workforce for review when evaluating offers, modifications, or contract options related to COTS products. If VPP data indicates to the workforce that you are not authorized to offer a manufacturer’s products, then those products must be removed from the offer, modification, or contract.
Per the GSA Interact Post, implementation will also decrease the burden on industry associated with managing Letters of Supply (LoS). After May 17, if you offer COTS products and your proposed products come from a manufacturer who provides supplier authorization data in the VPP, then you no longer need to submit a LoS for those products. Visit the Verified Products Portal Participation Dashboard to see if your manufacturer is using the VPP. If your manufacturer(s) is listed, then you do not need to submit a LoS for those participating manufacturers.
If you are a manufacturer looking to learn more about the benefits of participating in the VPP, please see the VPP Manufacturer Wholesaler Fact Sheet. For more information on this implementation, please see the GSA MAS Contractor – VPP Implementation Q&A.