Managing GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts can be a challenging and daunting undertaking for many companies seeking to do business with the Federal government. GSA, however, is seeking to simplify contract management through its new Formatted Catalog Platform (FCP). Initially launched as a limited pilot last Spring, GSA has begun slowly expanding the number of vendors on the new platform since November with a goal of having all product vendors – with some exceptions (see below) -transitioned by the end of FY 2024.
The FCP is designed to replace GSA’s legacy Schedule Input Program (SIP) and EDI-832 by integrating the GSA Advantage data management function within the eMod portal. This will allow updates to contractors’ GSA Advantage information to occur automatically upon award of modification requests. In addition, the platform will provide a more modern, user-friendly application for vendors to manage their MAS contracts.
Although GSA is seeking to move all product vendors to the new platform by the end of FY 2024, the FCP does not currently support:
- Contracts with Zonal Pricing
- Contracts with the 4PL SIN
- Contracts that have GSA-BPA(s) based on them and currently managed through SIP and/or published to GSA Advantage!
- Contracts with an upcoming five-year option period
- Contracts that have an ultimate expiration date before September 2025
- Vendors holding multiple MAS contracts under a single UEI
If you receive notification from GSA that your contract is eligible for the FCP, and you opt to participate in the new platform, there are a few actions that will need to be addressed ahead of your transition:
• Ensure Authorized Negotiators are current and accurate in eMod
• Review/update shipping and ordering information (including Minimum Order amount, lead time, and geographic scope)
• Review/update your GSA Price List and catalog to ensure that it is complete and accurate
• Close out any open modifications at least one (1) week prior to your FCP transition date