The government marketplace can be a challenging place to do business, and not all those who enter the fray will make it. Working with an experienced GSA Schedule consultant will give your business that competitive edge, as they will guide you through the application process, help you maintain your contract, and set you on a path to success. Let’s look at what services are available and explore the costs of GSA Schedule consulting.
- What is included in GSA Schedule consulting?
- What type of services are included in GSA Schedule consulting?
- Cost of GSA Schedule consulting
- GSA consulting with Price Reporter
What is included in GSA Schedule consulting?
What you can expect from GSA Schedule consultants depends on the particular firm and type of service that you choose. The services offered generally fall into two categories:
1. Mid-range firm offerings
GSA consultants at a mid-range firm generally provide partial services. This is a suitable option for businesses with prior experience in the government marketplace, who understand GSA’s basics and can prepare in-house proposals, but want to consult with an expert, to rule out errors before submitting their application.
2. Full-service firm offerings
Businesses with little experience working with the government, or those who want a more comprehensive service, would be better suited to full-service firms. Their GSA contract consultants will guide you through the entire process: getting to know your company, developing and drafting a proposal, and arranging all the necessary documents. This service can sometimes include post-GSA Award maintenance, which we will explain in detail below.
What type of services are included in GSA Schedule consulting?
Let’s take a more detailed look at the different consulting services offered at each stage of the GSA Schedule process:
· Initial application
At this stage, a GSA consultant will evaluate your company’s chances of success and help you get into the GSA marketplace. This includes expert insights into your target market, checking that your business is up to GSA standards, understanding which of your products or services are the most logical avenue to pursue, assistance with initial documentation and proposal, system registrations, and submission of your GSA application.
· Contract negotiation
Submitting your application is usually followed by a fairly lengthy wait, during which time you will negotiate the terms of your contract with the GSA and respond to any necessary clarification requests. This is a really crucial stage, and working with an experienced GSA consultant will help you ensure that your offer satisfies the GSA, while keeping in place the best possible business conditions for your organization.
· Post-awarding of contract
Your application has been approved and you are now a GSA Schedule holder! But the journey does not end here. While some businesses are able to arrange documents and proposals in-house, very few have a team dedicated to maintaining their contract. This is vital if you want to renew your contract for another term and avoid non-compliance fines. Post-GSA Award consultants help with contract modifications, such ad price reductions or increases, ensure that you remain compliant with the numerous and frequently changing regulations, and manage your communication with the GSA. This allows you to focus on what is most important: running your successful business.
Cost of GSA Schedule consulting
The GSA Schedule consulting cost depends on the service and firm that you choose:
· For partial services provided by a mid-range firm, you can expect to pay between $5,000 and $8,000.
· For the full service of a more expensive, full range firm, the cost will be substantially higher – between $15,000 and $24,000. Avoid any companies which offer this service for less than $10,000.
· Post-GSA Award maintenance services generally cost around $15,000 – $30,000 annually.
You should carefully evaluate your own knowledge and capacities, before selecting a GSA Schedule consulting service.
Applying for and maintaining a GSA contract is a complex process. One small error could mean months of work down the drain. You could risk ending up non-compliant and losing your GSA contract for good.It is great,if you have the in-house staff to fulfil all of GSA’s requirements. But if not, it is certainly worth paying extra for a more comprehensive service; the pay-off will be your lucrative government contract! It is also worth bearing in mind that you may eventually pay more for any extras not included in the partial consulting service, whereas the full package can save you money on hidden costs, later down the line.
GSA consulting with Price Reporter
At Price Reporter, we have well over a decade’s experience providing GSA consulting for large, small businesses, and anything in between. Among the comprehensive services we offer are a competitor assessment, federal market intelligence to optimise your pricing, contract management services, GSA compliance services, audit support, contract modifications, and contract extensions. Contact us today to learn more and get your business on the GSA ladder!
