Some things are best to outsource, and some are not. Let’s compare your options.
Using a GSA consultant
Do you have someone on staff with GSA Contract experience? If not, there are some pretty compelling reasons to outsource to a GSA Consulting company:
~ 90% CHANCE OF REJECTION
GSA Rejection: The GSA is very happy to reject your offer package, if even one small issue is found. The days of getting a phone call or email from your GSA Contracting Officer to clear something up are long gone. You are expected to read their mind and clear up any issues before submission. Does that make sense? It shouldn’t!
Getting a GSA Contract without a GSA Consultant to navigate is an absolute guarantee to face multiple rejections. Most companies give up eventually, and that is what the GSA seems to want.
TIME = MONEY
GSA Consultant, time = moneyIn the time that you are handling rejections and resubmitting, a GSA Consultant could have gotten you into the GSA Schedule program months or years earlier. This means that potentially hundreds of lost GSA opportunities are NOT going to your inbox.
EXPERIENCE SAVES YOU TROUBLE
Experienced GSA ConsultantWith an experienced GSA Consulting company, you will have all GSA terms and conditions configured to your benefit. Also, during negotiations, you will be represented and end up with better discount terms. This is a 20 year contract! Many terms and conditions are nearly impossible to adjust after award.
TRAINING AND COMPLIANCE
Consider after your GSA Contract is awarded with GSA consultant. Would you like to have support to assure that you remain compliant? Would you like to have a trusted GSA Consultant a phone call away? Do you want help to add to your offerings, or increase your prices? If you answered “Yes” then go with a GSA Consultant from the beginning.
DIY your GSA Contract
Maybe you read all of the points above and are still considering the DIY approach. No problem! Here you will find some helpful pointers: What is a GSA Contract.
This does not include any losses incurred because their lack of experience. Costly mistakes, or negotiating one more percentage point in the GSA Discount, can cost thousands of dollars. And, this could have paid for the use of a GSA Consultant!
Also, an employee with little or no GSA experience will increase the time to get your GSA Contract. Perhaps with a GSA Consultant you would not miss out on a good number of opportunities. This is intangible, but must be taken onto account as well.
GSA Magazine 