What is a GSA Professional Services Category?
The Professional Services Category is a result of Multiple Award Schedule Consolidation that took place in 2019-2020. This category has replaced the legacy Professional Services Schedule, which in turn consolidated eight legacy Schedules in 2015 (see below). Now, contractors providing professional services to the government can have just one single-stop contract in this one GSA Schedule Category.
The Professional Service Schedule encompasses almost every type of professional services that a federal, state, local and tribal organization may need. Some examples include financial services, construction services, GIS services, marketing (including web marketing) and PR, photography services, training and education services, translation services and others. Do we need to emphasize how much in demand many of those services are? In fact, almost every government agency needs at least some services from the list. And more often they need a lot.
The high demand explains high budgets. In 2019, the Legacy Professional Services Schedule (PSS) was responsible for $9.687 billion worth of sales. About 4,500 contractors compete for this budget, which means there are about $2 million per contractor, on average. Quite a sum of money. Winning a PSS contract would for sure propel your business upwards for the next 5 years, because the duration of a GSA contract is typically 5 years.
So, how do you get onto a Professional Services contract? And what legacy Schedules does it replace?
GSA PSS Category replaces 8 legacy Schedules
Here they are:
- GSA 00CORP Consolidated Schedule
- 871 Professional Engineering Services (PES)
- 874 Mission Oriented Business Integrated Services (MOBIS)
- 520 Financial and Business Solutions
- 541 Advertising and Integrated Marketing Solutions
- 738 II Language Services
- 874 V Logistics Worldwide (LogWorld)
- 899 Environmental Services
SINs from these old schedules were reorganized into the new MAS structure. The subcategories within the Professional Services Schedule Large Category are as follows:
Business Administrative Services
| 541611 | Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Grants Management Support, and Business Program and Project Management Services. This SIN encompasses strategic and organizational planning, business process improvement, acquisition and grants management support, facilitation, surveys, assessment and improvement of financial management systems, project management, and so on. |
| 561450 | Business Information Services (BIS). Services in this category include electronic and non-electronic transmission of consumer and/or business data. Firms may provide computer software intended for BIS use and customization of reports. |
Environmental Services
| 541620 | Environmental Consulting Services. Services under this SIN include providing advice and assistance to businesses and other organizations on environmental issues, such as control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances, and hazardous materials. This includes identification, measurement and evaluation of risks, and recommended solutions. |
| 562112 | Hazardous Waste Disposal Services. This subcategory includes but is not limited to: Management and oversight of Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) disposal operations, oversight and recycling of universal waste (e.g., batteries, cell phones, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)). |
| 562910REM | Environmental Remediation Services. This SIN includes various measures on investigating, conserving, cleaning or containing hazardous materials or pollution, reclaiming sites and restoring areas to a more natural state. |
Financial Services
| 522310 | Financial Advising, Loan Servicing and Asset Management Services. This subcategory includes services that assist agencies in managing and servicing finances and assets. |
| 531210 | Financial Asset Resolution Services. The purpose of this subcategory is to assist agencies in all asset resolution related areas, including valuation / pricing, portfolio stratification, restructuring and disposition strategies which best meet agency goals. |
| 541211 | Auditing Services. Perform financial-related audits, performance audits, recovery audits, transportation audits, and contract audits in accordance with generally accepted practices. Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and non-GAGAS. Perform an independent assessment of an audited entity’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, financial information, adherence to financial compliance requirements and internal controls, or organization or program performance to identify areas for improvement. |
| 541214 | Payroll Services. Services in this category includes activities such as billing, payroll processing that includes collecting information on hours worked, pay rates, deductions, and other payroll-related data, as well as using that information to generate paychecks, payroll reports, and tax filings. |
| 541219 | Budget and Financial Management Services. Services that include accounting, budgeting, and complementary financial services. |
| 561440 | Debt Collection Services. Services that include collection and servicing of defaulted loans, which may include borrower negotiations, restructuring, and workout agreements. |
Identity Protection Services
| 541990IPS | Data Breach Response and Identity Protection. Encompasses various services that provide data protection, breach prevention, reduction, identification, and mitigation of risks, procedures in response to risk assessments, etc. |
| 541990RISK | Risk Assessment and Mitigation Services. Services include: breach mitigation and analysis/forensic services, the deployment of financial risk assessment and mitigation strategies and techniques; improvement of capabilities through the reduction, identification, and mitigation of risks; detailed risk statements, risk explanations and mitigation recommendations; design and development of new business applications, processes, and procedures in response to risk assessments; and ensuring compliance with governance and regulatory requirements. |
Language Services
| 541930 | Translation and Interpretation Services. This SIN encompasses various translation services such as: translating written material, interpreting speech from one language to another, and services to facilitate communication with and by persons who are visually or hearing impaired. |
| 611630 | Linguistic Training and Education. Services in this subcategory include customized or standardized off-the-shelf Foreign Language training courses at on and off site locations in classroom, private, semi-private, tutorial and in-country immersion forums. |
Legal Services
| 541110 | Professional Legal Services. Assist agencies with the full spectrum of professional legal support required for the resolution, management and/or disposition of assets held by the Federal Government. |
Logistical Services
| 541614 | Deployment, Distribution and Transportation Logistics Services. This SIN includes such professional services as: contingency planning, identifying/utilizing regional or global resources, integrating public/private sector resources, inventory/property planning, movement, storage, end-to-end industrial relocation/expansion services, and deploying communications and logistics systems to permit rapid deployment, and management of supplies and equipment. |
| 541614SVC | Supply and Value Chain Management. Includes supply and value chain management, which involves all phases of the planning, acquisition, and management of logistics systems. |
Marketing and Public Relations
| 323111SBSA | Photographic Services and Solutions. Includes a full range of photographic services including but not limited to imaging, film processing, printing, photo finishing, retouching, converting, duplicating of photographs on various storages (film, CD, DVD, flash drives). |
| 512110 | Video/Film Production. Services under this SIN include writing, directing, shooting, arranging for talent / animation, narration, music and sound effects, duplication, distribution, video scoring; and editing. |
| 541430 | Graphic Design Services. Services include planning, designing, and managing the production of visual communication in order to convey specific messages or concepts, clarify complex information, or project visual identities. |
| 541511 | Web Based Marketing. Services include, but are not limited to writing, modifying, testing, and supporting software to meet the needs of a particular customer. This can include website design and maintenance services, search engine development, email marketing, interactive marketing, web based advertising (including marketing and social media outlets), webcasting, video conferencing via the web, section 508 compliance, including captioning services, online media management; and related activities to web based services. |
| 541613 | Marketing Consulting Services. Services include providing operational advice and assistance, solutions and services on marketing issues |
| 541810 | Advertising Services. Services provided under this SIN will promote public awareness of an agency’s mission and initiatives, enable public understanding of complex technical and social issues, disseminate information to industry and consumer advocacy groups and engage in recruitment campaigns. |
| 541810ODC | Other Direct Costs for Marketing and Public Relations Services (ODCs). |
| 541820 | Public Relations Services. This category contains services such as the development of media messages and strategies, providing recommendations of media sources for placement of campaigns, preparing media materials, executing media programs, conducting press conferences, scheduling broadcast and/or print interviews, media alerts and press clipping services related activities to public relations services. |
| 541850 | Exhibit Design and Advertising Services. |
| 541910 | Marketing Research and Analysis. This SIN encompasses various services intended to provide research and analysis of specific markets, establishing measurable marketing objectives, determining market trends and conditions, identifying and implementing appropriate strategies, conducting focus groups etc. |
| 541922 | Commercial Photography Services. This SIN is for photography services such as digital photography, aerial photography, architectural photography as well as related photography services such as photo editing and high-resolution scans. |
| 561920 | Conference, Meeting, Event and Trade Show Planning Services. Services in this subcategory include organizing, promoting, and/or managing events, such as business and trade shows, conventions, conferences, and meetings. |
Technical and Engineering Services (non-IT)
| 541330ENG | Engineering Services. Any professional services of designing, developing, and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and systems. |
| 541370GIS | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Services. |
| 541420 | Engineering System Design and Integration Services. This subcategory covers services such as creation and development of designs and specifications that optimize the use, value, and appearance of their products. |
| 541690 | Technical Consulting Services. Services that provide advice and assistance on technical domains and issues. |
| 541715 | Engineering Research and Development and Strategic Planning. This SIN includes conduction of research and experimental development (except nanotechnology and biotechnology research and experimental development) in the physical, engineering and life sciences such as; agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary and other allied subjects. |
| 541990TAD | Technical/Application Development Support (TADS) – Includes technical or application development support, such as systems integration and application development. |
Training
| 333318TDTM | Off-the-Shelf Training Devices and Training Materials. This category includes software programs, teaching machines and devices, simulators such as driving simulators, flight simulators, etc., prepared printed instructional material, medical models and simulators, prepared audio and visual instruction material and multimedia program kits. |
| 611430 | Professional and Management Development Training. Includes offering an array of short duration courses and seminars for management and professional development. |
| 611512 | Flight Training – Includes aviation and flight training. |
| 611710 | Educational Support Services – Includes support of personnel and services for educational needs, including training. |
| 611TRAINAW | Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) and Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional Development Training for Acquisition Workforce Personnel. |
HOW TO OBTAIN A GSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SCHEDULE (PSS)
As you see above, there are a lot of SINs where you can sell your services to the government. And your potential piece of cake is large, too. So, how can you get a Professional Services contract?
There are a lot of individual nuances of the GSA application process that depend on both the specific GSA Schedule Category, solicitation, and the capabilities of your company. Each stage is filled with technical details and requires experience, diligence and time. However, there are some very basic steps that are a “must”.
1. Preliminary preparation. This important stage includes obligatory training, preparation of documents that match the most stringent GSA’s requirements, and submitting them via the eOffer platform.
2. GSA review. After you submit documents and forms required to apply for a GSA Professional Services contract (make sure to read the entire solicitation to learn what documents you need), the GSA will review your submission for some time. It is OK, if your submission is not accepted on the first attempt. A GSA officer can reach out to clarify missing things and request documents or modifications.
3. Negotiation. After your submission is reviewed and approved, a contracting officer initiates a negotiation step. Conditions and terms of the contract are negotiated, and so is the price list. After that you are awarded with a contract.
4. Keep up the diligent work. Good job! You’ve won the contract. Now you need to market and maintain it to remain successful. This needs a lot of self-education and time allocation. At times, you may want to hire a third-party GSA consultant that will act as an agent between you and the GSA and will help resolve all the arising issues and maintain the contract in compliance and up to date.
