By Global Services on April 23, 2021
This week, GSA hosted a webinar to discuss the upcoming Refresh #6 of Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation #47QSMD20R0001. Refresh #6, scheduled to release on May 17, 2021, will reflect recent changes regarding GSA Applications and the agency’s commitment to streamline the submission process for contractors. Below, we outline the changes and what they mean for you.
Digital Certs No Longer Required
Since 2020, GSA has been working to phase out digital certificates, and with Refresh #6, we will see the end to this requirement. Since the implementation of the FAS ID in March, contractors no longer needed digital certificates to access eOffer and eMod. Now, Refresh #6 will require a prospective contractor’s signature via DocuSign instead of a digital certificate. This change benefits contractors, as they are no longer required to purchase digital certificates in order to get on Schedule and manage their contracts.
Temporary Waiver for COVID-19 Goods and Service Providers
On April 14, 2021, GSA issued Acquisition Letter (AL), MV-21-03 and Supplement 1, implementing a temporary waiver of certain MAS solicitation requirements for companies that provide items necessary for federal pandemic preparedness. Refresh #6 will reflect the following changes to MAS provision SCP-FSS-001, Instructions Applicable to All Offerors, for these prospective contractors:
- The requirement to possess two years of Corporate Experience.
- The requirement to submit a Relevant Project Experience for each SIN proposed.
- The requirement to submit Annual Financial Statements for the previous two years.
Past Performance Adjustments for All Contractors
In an effort to reduce burden on GSA and their prospective contractors, Refresh #6 will update past performance requirements imposed on offerors. While the offeror is still required to submit a total of three references from three distinct orders/contracts, they may now use a mix of both CPARS and Past Performance Narratives/PPQs. As stated in the draft:
- “Offerors with one CPARS report that meets the criteria in paragraph (A) shall submit two (2) additional customer references/completed PPQs.
- Offerors with two CPARS reports that meet the criteria in paragraph (A) shall submit one (1) additional customer reference/completed PPQ.
- Offerors with no CPARS reports that meet the criteria in paragraph (A) shall submit three (3) customer references/completed PPQs.”
New Portal for Manufacturers
Refresh #6 will mark the implementation of the Verified Products Portal (VPP), a new manufacturer-facing portal that will relay supplier authorization details, product category details, product descriptions/images, supply chain attributes, and pricing information. This portal will allow buyers to see more consistent product representations, reduce the burden on suppliers to provide letters of supplies and product information, and boost GSA’s ability to review and approve catalog files.
Note: a new Letter of Supply for GSA product providers will also be provided with this refresh.
Revised Scope of Drones
On January 12, 2021, GSA announced their plan to remove some drones from the Schedule. As the purchase of drones has increased commercially, so have security risks and threats of noncompliance with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY19. In response, GSA Refresh #6 will state that only drones approved by the Department of Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue sUAS Program are permitted on Schedule. To learn more, please see 49 USC Ch. 448: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.
Updated Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) Information
In accordance with current FAS policy, Refresh #6 will utilize an updated Wage Determination (WD) Index, with no changes to clauses or policy. All contractors will be required to reflect the price and WD number changes in their SCLS matrices.
Next Steps
GSA has posted an official notice including the draft and its significant changes. All parties interested in submitting feedback are encouraged to do so by April 29, 2021.
If you are interested in getting on Schedule, reach out to our MAS experts today!