» What is GSA?
» Who can purchase items/services through GSA?
» Why should I purchase services through GSA?
» How do I purchase GSA services from the UMass Donahue Institute?
» How does the GSA contracting process work?
» How much does it cost to purchase services through the GSA schedule?
» What are my payment options?

According to the United States General Services Administration (GSA) Strategic Plan
(April 3, 2002):

The General Services Administration (GSA) is a centralized federal procurement and property management agency created by Congress to improve government efficiency and effectiveness. The Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 consolidated the procurement and property management activities of several agencies into one “to provide for the Government an economical and efficient system” for the procurement, supply, and disposal of real property, personal property and services, as well as “uniform policies and methods of procurement, supply and related functions.”

Today, GSA encompasses the Public Buildings Service (PBS), the Federal Supply Service (FSS), the Federal Technology Service (FTS), the Office of Governmentwide Policy (OGP) and the Office of Citizen Services (OCS). Comprised of 14,000 associates, the agency is committed to providing outstanding service to meet the needs of customer agencies. GSA acquires on their behalf, the office space, equipment, telecommunications, information technology, supplies and services they need to achieve their agency’s mission of services to the public.

Our mission is: We help federal agencies better serve the public by offering, at best value, superior workplaces, expert solutions, acquisition services and management policies.

In general, any agency of the United States Federal Government can purchase services through GSA. This includes:

1. Executive agencies/department
2. Wholly owned Government corporations
3. Independent establishments in the executive branch of the Government


4. Other federal agencies, mixed-ownership Government corporations, the District of Columbia, and qualified non-profit agencies for the blind or other severely handicapped, for use in making or providing an approved commodity or service to the Government

For a complete list of agencies eligible to purchase services through GSA, click here .

1. All competition requirements have been met.
2. GSA has already negotiated the Volume Purchase discounts for you.


3. Prices/services are pre-approved by GSA.


4. All applicable laws and regulations have been applied.


5. The lead time for purchase of GSA services is significantly less than that for other government procurement processes (usually less than a few weeks).


6. No formal solicitation is required.


7. GSA does not require that your agency secure multiple bids before selecting the UMass Donahue Institute as your service provider of choice.


8. There are no maximum order limits.


9. Blanket Purchase Agreements give you flexible purchasing options that save you time and money.


10. GSA has issued synopses for available services that have met federal synopsis requirements .


11. Schedule orders count toward your agency’s small business goals.

Your initial approach can be through GSAAdvantage!, or by contacting the UMass Donahue Institute directly. Once your order has been initiated, you will be contacted by someone at the UMass Donahue Institute to refine the scope of services being requested and to finalize a contract for services.

Regardless of how you place your initial order (electronically through GSAAdvantage! or directly through the UMass Donahue Institute), your agency's contract is directly with the UMass Donahue Institute. Payments do not pass through GSA. The UMass Donahue Institute is responsible for interfacing with GSA and submitting all applicable reports and fees.

It costs you nothing to use the GSA schedule. The program is supported by Industrial Funding Fees paid by the contractor.

The UMass Donahue Institute accepts payment by check or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).