In order to get on the inside government sales track with a Schedule contract, a vendor must go through an arduous application process. The most difficult and painstaking part of the Schedule application and approval process is negotiating what the government and vendor agree is a "fair and reasonable price" for the vendor's products or services. Because of the complexity of the undertaking, vendors sometimes choose to hire consultants to assist in the preparation and negotiation of the contract. Many report that the expense of hiring a consultant was money well spent, because the entire submission and approval process can be extremely costly in terms of time and energy, and very daunting for the uninitiated.

Once a Schedule contract is awarded, the successful vendor is placed on a list of approved suppliers for that particular Schedule. Federal agency buyers can then order from a vendor using GSA Advantage!, the government's online "shopping mall" for GSA Schedule products and services. A common misconception is that only GSA employees can make a purchase through a Schedule contract. This is not true; virtually any federal buyer can buy from GSA Schedule holders. Congress has also granted state and local agencies the authority to make purchases through the Information Technology Schedule contract (known as the "IT 70 Schedule"). State and local purchasing authority may be extended to other GSA Schedules in the future. Recently, Congress authorized the use of all Schedules by state and local government under emergency conditions and state and local purchases may be made from Schedule 84 Total Solutions for Law Enforcement at any time.

Make the Most of Your Schedule Contract by Attending Our Specialty Courses:

July 10, 2009: 3 Webinars that cover Government Sales, GSA Schedules 101, and GSA Schedule Modifications
Selling to the Government from Your Own Backyard
Time: 11:00 am to 12:30 pm EST | Register Now

GSA Schedules 101: Demystifying GSA Schedules
Time: 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm EST | Register Now

GSA Schedules 201: Modifying Your Contract
Time: 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm EST | Register Now
Attend all three webinars and save. Register Now

More Specialty Courses at The Federal Sales Academy:

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 in Bethesda, MD (Washington, DC):
Audit-Proof Your GSA Schedule Contract | Register Now

Friday, July 17, 2009 in Bethesda, MD (Washington, DC):
Bid Protests - How To Keep The Deals You Win And Get The Ones You Lose | Register Now

Friday, July 24, 2009 in Bethesda, MD (Washington, DC):
Creating Your Government Marketing Plan | Register Now

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 in Bethesda, MD (Washington, DC):
Protecting Your Interests: Teaming and Subcontracting Agreements | Register Now

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Call Fedmarket's sales staff at (888)661-4094, and press 2 if you have questions concerning these or any other products or services Fedmarket offers. E-mail inquiries may be sent to the following: sales@thefederalmarketplace.com.