The Manufacturer Name (PPT) refers to a required field within the Price Proposal Template (PPT) submitted as part of a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) offer. This field identifies the name of the original manufacturer of each product proposed for inclusion on a contractor’s GSA Schedule. It is a critical data point used by GSA contracting officers to verify product eligibility, compliance with sourcing regulations, and alignment with the scope of awarded Special Item Numbers (SINs).
While seemingly straightforward, the Manufacturer Name entry carries significant weight in the evaluation process. Accurate, consistent, and complete manufacturer information helps ensure that the products listed in a vendor’s catalog meet federal acquisition standards — including country of origin requirements under the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), as well as category-specific technical criteria outlined in Large Category Attachments.
What Is the Price Proposal Template (PPT)?
The Price Proposal Template is a core solicitation document required for all GSA MAS offers and contract modifications. It is a standardized spreadsheet that captures the pricing, descriptive, and sourcing details of each product or service being offered under a given SIN.
For product-based offers, the PPT typically includes fields such as:
- Product name and description
- Part number or SKU
- Unit of measure and price
- Manufacturer name
- Country of origin
- Warranty information
- Delivery terms
- Basis of award (BOA) customer and pricing
Among these, the Manufacturer Name is essential because it allows GSA to determine whether the offered product originates from a recognized source, whether that source complies with applicable trade laws, and whether the item has been approved for inclusion under a given SIN.
Why the Manufacturer Name Field Matters
Federal agencies, including GSA, are required to adhere to a range of sourcing regulations and product eligibility rules — most notably the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), which mandates that products acquired under MAS contracts originate from designated countries. The Manufacturer Name field in the PPT is a key starting point for this compliance review.
By identifying the original manufacturer, GSA can:
- Confirm country of origin based on established manufacturing locations
- Check product eligibility against GSA’s internal and external product approval lists
- Validate Letters of Supply, which must match the listed manufacturer
- Review manufacturer reputation or past performance if relevant
- Detect gray market, refurbished, or unauthorized products that are ineligible under MAS
A mismatch or omission in the Manufacturer Name field can result in delays, requests for clarification, or outright rejection of a proposed item.
How to Properly Complete the Manufacturer Name Field
Vendors submitting product offers under MAS must provide the legal, full name of the product manufacturer as recognized by the manufacturer itself and by official documentation. This includes consistency with:
- The name listed on the Letter of Supply, if applicable
- The name referenced in any supporting documentation, such as technical specs, catalogs, or warranty terms
- The name associated with the product in commercial and industry databases
- The name registered in SAM.gov, if the manufacturer is a federal contractor
Contractors offering products manufactured by third parties (i.e., not their own brand) must ensure that the Manufacturer Name in the PPT matches the entity from which they have written authorization to resell.
In cases where a vendor offers their own manufactured goods, they would list themselves as the manufacturer, but should ensure that this is clearly documented elsewhere in the proposal (e.g., within the Corporate Experience narrative or product specifications).
Common Issues and Errors
Despite its importance, the Manufacturer Name field is often overlooked or filled out inconsistently. Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Using informal or abbreviated names (“HP” instead of “HP Inc.”)
- Entering the distributor’s name instead of the actual manufacturer
- Leaving the field blank for self-manufactured items
- Spelling discrepancies between the PPT and the Letter of Supply
- Listing multiple names in one field without clarification
These issues can create confusion for the contracting officer and slow down the proposal evaluation process. In some cases, they may trigger a formal clarification request or cause the product line item to be deemed non-responsive.
Relationship to the Letter of Supply (LOS)
For vendors who do not manufacture the products they offer, GSA requires a Letter of Supply (LOS) from the original manufacturer or an authorized distributor. This letter confirms that the vendor is permitted to offer the manufacturer’s products on the MAS, and that the manufacturer will provide adequate supply support.
The Manufacturer Name listed in the PPT must exactly match the manufacturer listed on the LOS. Discrepancies between the two can raise red flags for GSA reviewers, suggesting unauthorized sourcing or a breakdown in supply chain integrity.
Thus, careful alignment between the LOS, the PPT, and all supporting documentation is essential for a smooth proposal process.
Impact on Product Eligibility and Contract Award
GSA contracting officers use the Manufacturer Name, along with the Country of Origin and other PPT fields, to conduct a multi-layered compliance review. This includes:
- Verifying the manufacturer’s country against the TAA-compliant country list
- Checking that products are within the scope of the selected SIN
- Ensuring that no prohibited sources (e.g., China for certain categories) are involved
- Confirming consistency across the offer package
If the manufacturer listed does not meet eligibility requirements — due to country of origin, scope misalignment, or lack of authorization — the associated product will be excluded from award consideration. In certain categories, such as IT or medical equipment, additional scrutiny is applied due to cybersecurity, safety, or national security concerns.
Updates and Modifications
Once a contract is awarded, vendors may wish to update their product offerings through a modification request. When adding or changing products, the Manufacturer Name field must be updated accordingly in the modified PPT.
GSA will reassess eligibility each time new products are submitted, and any misrepresentation or inconsistency in the manufacturer name may delay approval or require resubmission. Contractors must also update their Letters of Supply and product documentation to reflect any changes in manufacturing sources or relationships.
Best Practices for Contractors
To ensure accuracy and avoid delays during MAS proposal submission or contract modifications, contractors should adopt the following best practices related to Manufacturer Name reporting:
- Use the manufacturer’s full legal name, exactly as it appears in supporting documents
- Double-check spelling and formatting across the PPT, LOS, and technical specs
- Coordinate with suppliers or manufacturers to confirm branding and company name conventions
- Maintain a product source database to ensure consistent manufacturer references
- Update your templates after each Solicitation Refresh or GSA pricing template revision
By being meticulous with this field, vendors not only improve their proposal quality but also demonstrate professionalism and attention to compliance — qualities that GSA contracting officers value highly.
Conclusion
The Manufacturer Name (PPT) field, though often viewed as a small detail, plays a critical role in the GSA MAS offer evaluation process. It supports compliance with sourcing laws, validates supply chains, and ensures that all proposed products meet the program’s technical and regulatory standards.
For vendors pursuing GSA Schedule awards — especially for product-based contracts — proper and consistent identification of manufacturers is essential. A well-prepared Price Proposal Template, anchored by accurate manufacturer information, can significantly improve the speed and success of contract award and post-award modifications.
