Here’s What’s Changing in GSA’s MAS Refresh #5

By Global Services on October 30, 2020

 

GSA has announced that Refresh #5 to the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation is coming in November 2020. In this post, we’ll outline the upcoming changes and what they mean for you.

 

1. Incorporation of a new Section 889 Part B Representation Requirement in SAM.gov

Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2019 requires offerors to certify that they do not use certain prohibited telecommunications equipment, as detailed in FAR 52.204-24 to 52.204-26. These restrictions on telecommunications equipment apply to all Federal contractors, whether they are on Schedule or not.

Under Refresh #4, offerors had to complete a certification and provide it as part of their GSA MAS offer, even if they had already completed the same certification on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Refresh #5 removes this duplicative requirement, so that offerors will no longer be required to provide a copy of FAR 52.204-24 with their offer, as long as they have answered “Does Not” to each of the requirements at 52.204-26 on SAM.gov.

Bottom Line: This change removes a duplicative requirement for MAS offers.

 

2. Removal of GSAR 552.204-70 from Refresh #5

GSAR 552.204-70 is no longer relevant, as FAR 52.204-26 serves the same purpose. This change removes the now-extraneous clause.

Bottom Line: This is an administrative change that removes a no-longer-necessary clause from the Solicitation.

 

3a. Updated template for Agent Authorization Letters

An Agent Authorization Letter is provided with MAS proposals to give individuals outside your firm (such as your Global Services Account Manager) the ability to interact with GSA on your behalf, for instance, to have clarification discussions or to accept contract mods. Previously, a scan of a wet ink signature was acceptable; under the new Refresh #5, a digital signature is required.

Bottom Line: Agent Authorization Letters must now have digital, not scanned ink, signatures.

 

3b. Updated Refresh #5 template for Requests to Hold Continuous Contracts

In certain circumstances, GSA Schedule holders who are reaching the end of their 20-year contract period may need to temporarily hold two MAS contracts at once, as described here.

The template for Requests to Hold Continuous Contracts has been updated with additional requirements. The new template requires offerors to 1) Identify any MAS contracts that are being audited or are scheduled to be audited by the GSA Office of Inspector General (OIG); 2) Acknowledge they can meet all contractual requirements under both contracts; and 3) Acknowledge that their pricelist on GSA Advantage for the non-surviving MAS contract must be updated within 30 days of calendar award with a required statement explaining which contract must be used for new orders.

In addition, this new version of the template will also be required for contractors who submit a MAS Consolidation Phase 3 Add SIN modification request to consolidate legacy MAS contracts under the new Consolidated Schedule.

Bottom Line: Companies who submit a Request to Hold Continuous Contracts must use a new template containing three new requirements.  

 

4. Creation of seven new Special Item Numbers (SINs) under the Professional Services Large Category, and changes to two existing SINs.

GSA will add the following seven SINS to the Professional Services Category:

  • SIN 562910RMI: Environmental Remediation Services – Multiple Industries
  • SIN 541330EMI: Engineering Services Related to Military, Aerospace Equipment, or Military Weapons, the National Energy Policy Act of 1992, Marine Engineering and/or Naval Architecture
  • SIN 541715AIR: Engineering Research and Development for Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts
  • SIN 541715APM: Engineering Research and Development for: Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment, Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles, Their Propulsion Units and Propulsion Parts
  • SIN 541713: Research and Development in Nanotechnology
  • SIN 541714: Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
  • SIN 541720: Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

In addition, SIN 541690 will change from Integrated Logistics Support to Technical Consulting Services.

Lastly, SIN 562910REM will have its description revised in order to distinguish it from the new SIN 562910RMI. “RMI” will be used for remediation services that encompass three or more industries/NAICS codes, where the preponderance of work is at least 50% under NAICS 562910. “REM” will be for remediation services that do NOT encompass three or more industries. This is significant because the Small Business Size Standard is defined differently for the two SINs (by dollar value for “REM” vs. by number of employees for “RMI”), so it is possible for a firm to be an SB under “REM” but not “RMI,” or vice versa.

Bottom Line: GSA is adding seven new SINs and revising two existing SINs. Schedule holders may need to modify their contracts to add and/or remove SINs to align with the revised SIN descriptions.

Full details about these changes, including drafts of the new templates and revised SIN descriptions, are available here.

 

In a recent webinar, GSA announced that an updated MAS Modification Guidance with streamlined procedures for Phase 3 of MAS Consolidation will be released with Refresh #5, currently scheduled to drop on November 9, 2020.

 

Questions about what these changes will mean for you? Contact Global Services today!