Contractor Team Arrangements (CTAs) are formal agreements between two or more GSA Schedule contractors who come together to provide a total solution to meet a federal agency’s needs. Under a CTA, each team member holds their own GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract, and together they combine their products, services, and expertise to pursue and perform under a specific government task or delivery order.
CTAs are a powerful tool that allows Schedule contractors to pursue opportunities that may be too complex or broad for a single contractor to handle independently, all while staying within the framework of the GSA Schedule program.
Purpose and Benefits of CTAs
CTAs serve a strategic purpose within federal procurement by enabling collaboration without the need to form a new legal entity such as a joint venture or prime-subcontractor structure. CTAs are particularly valuable for:
- Combining complementary capabilities – Contractors can pool specialized skills, labor categories, or technologies to deliver more complete solutions.
- Accessing larger or more complex requirements – Teams can pursue projects that would otherwise be beyond the scope or capacity of a single vendor.
- Increasing competitiveness – CTAs expand eligibility for opportunities by meeting more solicitation requirements as a team.
- Preserving Schedule compliance – Since each team member has their own Schedule contract, pricing, terms, and ordering procedures remain in line with GSA regulations.
- Offering agencies a one-stop solution – CTAs allow agencies to procure an integrated solution from multiple contractors through a single task or delivery order.
How CTAs Work
Under a CTA, each participating company must:
- Be an active GSA Schedule holder
- Contribute directly to the solution being offered
- Be listed as a team member in the proposal
- Invoice the government separately for the portion of work they perform
The CTA is not a new contract or entity. Instead, it is a written agreement between the team members that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and contributions of each party.
Each team member is privity-bound to the government—meaning each has a direct contractual relationship with the federal customer for the portion of the work they perform. This is a key distinction from a traditional prime-subcontractor relationship, where only the prime has a contract with the government.
Required Elements of a CTA Agreement
Although GSA does not provide a mandatory template for CTAs, it strongly encourages inclusion of certain elements in the CTA document, including:
- Identification of team members – Full legal names and GSA contract numbers
- Designated team lead – Primary point of contact and proposal coordinator
- Detailed division of work – Scope and responsibilities of each team member
- Pricing structure – Schedule-based pricing for each team member’s offerings
- Invoicing and payment terms – Each member bills the government individually
- Dispute resolution and administrative procedures – Internal processes for managing the arrangement
This agreement is submitted to the government as part of the offer or quotation but is not reviewed or approved by GSA. However, agencies rely on the document to understand how the team will operate and to ensure accountability during performance.
CTAs vs. Other Teaming Structures
It’s important to distinguish CTAs from other collaborative arrangements used in federal contracting:
- CTAs vs. Prime/Subcontractor Relationships
In a prime/sub relationship, the prime contractor holds the contract and invoices the government, while the subcontractor works behind the scenes. In a CTA, each contractor invoices the government directly for their own Schedule items. - CTAs vs. Joint Ventures
A joint venture is a separate legal entity formed by two or more companies, often for SBA purposes (such as 8(a) or mentor-protégé programs). CTAs do not require the creation of a new legal structure. - CTAs vs. Contractor Consolidation or Mergers
A CTA is a temporary, task-specific partnership that does not affect the underlying legal independence of the participants.
Agency Considerations
When evaluating proposals involving CTAs, federal contracting officers should ensure that:
- Each team member has an active GSA Schedule contract
- All proposed offerings fall within the scope of the team members’ Schedules
- The CTA agreement clearly delineates who is responsible for what
- The government will receive separate invoices from each team member
- Pricing complies with each member’s awarded Schedule pricing
Agencies can take advantage of CTAs without issuing multiple contracts, since all members work under a single task or delivery order issued to the team.
Best Practices for Contractors
For GSA Schedule holders considering a CTA, it is advisable to:
- Choose partners with complementary skills and reliable past performance
- Draft a clear and thorough CTA agreement well in advance of proposal deadlines
- Ensure pricing consistency with each partner’s GSA Schedule
- Designate a lead with strong coordination and communication skills
- Clarify administrative tasks, such as who submits reports and manages deliverables
GSA provides guidance and resources on CTA formation through the GSA MAS Contractor Training Portal and GSA Interact.
Conclusion
Contractor Team Arrangements (CTAs) are an effective and GSA-compliant way for Schedule contractors to collaborate on complex government requirements. By leveraging the strengths of multiple vendors while maintaining direct accountability with the government, CTAs offer both flexibility and structure. For agencies, CTAs present an opportunity to procure integrated solutions through a streamlined process. For contractors, CTAs expand access to larger, more competitive opportunities within the GSA acquisition ecosystem.
