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.
On Monday, May 17, 2021, GSA will issue a refresh to the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation that will make data in the VPP authoritative for determining supplier authorization status. Using the supplier authorization information in the VPP will protect against supply chain risks and decrease a buyer’s risk of purchasing counterfeit or otherwise non-compliant products. Buyers will be able to purchase with increased confidence that products are legitimate.
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.
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 – April 2021. For more information on this implementation, please see the MAS Contractor – VPP Implementation Q&A
Have questions or concerns about this new process? Click this link to register for our industry forum at 3 p.m. EST on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Please send any questions to VPP@gsa.gov.