GSA is rolling out updates to the FCP Product File (submitted by vendors offering products only) requirements to help improve data quality on GSA Advantage — a direct response to Federal customer complaints with the hopes of making it a cleaner and better shopping experience. Effective July 28, 2025, FCP will reject GSA Schedule holder submissions that do not align with the guidelines GSA is requiring for creating more accurate and descriptive Product Names and Product Descriptions in the catalog submission to GSA Advantage.
Overview
GSA catalogs enable buyers to find and purchase needed products. GSA indicates that vague, non-descriptive Product Names and Product Descriptions that repeat part numbers and contractual terms make it hard to find needed items. FCP will begin validating these attributes in submitted Product Files to improve data quality, enhance the buyer experience, and align with commercial best practices for e-commerce platforms. These changes affect all vendors who use the FCP Product File (vendors offering products only) to submit and manage their catalogs.
Below is an overview the required updates GSA has rolled out and will be effective officially July 28, 2025 and also a link is provided at the end of this post to the actual GSA FCP Product File guidelines:
Product Names: Use At Least 3 Words, No Part Numbers
Product names must contain a minimum of 3 words and cannot include manufacturer or vendor part numbers. Since buyers search by keywords (e.g., laptop, desk, etc.), product names should be descriptive, clear, and meaningful to customers. Names have a 40 character limit.
- Prohibited: Product names canʼt include manufacturer or vendor part numb
- Best practice: Brand + Model + Product Type + Key Features/Attributes
- Do this: “Dell 27 Inch 4K UHD Computer Monitor”
- Not this: “Monitor”
Product Descriptions: Use At Least 10 Words, No Promotional Language or Contractual Terms
Descriptions must contain a minimum of 10 words, focus on product features and specifications, and help customers understand what the product is. Descriptions have a 1000 character limit.
- Avoid promotional terms and phrases (e.g., Best Deal, Limited Time Offer, Save Now, Free Shipping, Discount) that are not relevant to describing the specific product being sold.
- Best practice: Include descriptive qualities like product type, function, key features, unique uses, and specifications (e.g., color, size, material). Consider spelling out uncommon acronyms and abbreviations.