Doing Business with GSA Video Series

Comments

kellycudworth

<p>Subject: GSA Small Business Videos:</p><p>Are you planning on addressing the FSSI and the limited opportunity it has created for small business? Or address what the end goal of the MAS contracts under schedule 75 are? We've partnered with the GSA for over 15 years and have seen a number of small businesses under this schedule essentially be kicked out of opportunities to partner with the GSA and no longer be allowed to work with long term federal clients. Our contract has no more renwals. At this point we anticipating just receiving a letter similar to a number of our peers from the GSA flatly stating we cannot reapply and we'll lose our contract for no other reason than the FSSI is the new direction. Especially with the closed solicitation, a number of long time vendors have just lost their contract with no alternative resource. And, the subcontracting opportunities are limited and not a solution. Subcontracting opportunites are controled by our competators who have no influence to support us other than the GSA madating some sort of program. You do realize by awarding such a contract to just a handful of small businesses is not supporting the large network of qualified small business under this schedule? </p><p>I’m curious if you plan on addressing this in these videos?</p>

Posted 03/27/2015 11:57 AM

Geri Haworth

<p>The following response is provided by <span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Christy L. Jackiewicz  from the Office of Small Business Utilization.</span></p><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif">******************************<wbr>************</wbr></font></div><p><wbr><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif"><b>Are you planning on addressing the FSSI and the limited opportunity it has created for small business? </b></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif">Since we are working to create longevity in the videos we tried to stay away from any details that may not be sustainable.  You will notice that we went as deep as we could go where we felt the information would be consistent moving forward.  FSSI is one of those constantly changing programs where we are still figuring out the best approach when including small businesses.  These type of questions are better suited to a live audience where this information can be addressed based on individual concerns.  You can go to<a href="http://www.gsa.gov/smallbizsupport" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank">www.gsa.gov/smallbizsupport</a> to locate the small business specialist in your area who can respond in depth to specific questions.</font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif"><b>Or address what the end goal of the MAS contracts under schedule 75 are? </b></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif">Per the previous response, the videos are meant to address initial customer request on working with our agency, not provide counseling on challenges with our programs and small businesses individual needs.  We provide free counseling, webinars and in-person events for those deeper discussions.  You can go to<a href="http://www.gsa.gov/smallbizsupport" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank">www.gsa.gov/smallbizsupport</a> to locate the small business specialist in your area to ask more pointed questions specific to your company.</font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif"><b>We've partnered with the GSA for over 15 years and have seen a number of small businesses under this schedule essentially be kicked out of opportunities to partner with the GSA and no longer be allowed to work with long term federal clients. Our contract has no more renewals. At this point we anticipating just receiving a letter similar to a number of our peers from the GSA flatly stating we cannot reapply and we'll lose our contract for no other reason than the FSSI is the new direction. Especially with the closed solicitation, a number of long time vendors have just lost their contract with no alternative resource. And, the subcontracting opportunities are limited and not a solution. Subcontracting opportunities <wbr>are controlled by our competitors who have no influence to support us other than the GSA mandating some sort of program. You do realize by awarding such a contract to just a handful of small businesses is not supporting the large network of qualified small business under this schedule? </wbr></b></font></div><wbr><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif">The hardest challenge for most of our small businesses customers is understanding the roles and responsibilities of the Office of Small Business Utilization (OSBU) in the Federal Arena.  There are offices in every agency to advocate for small businesses access to Federal programs (<a href="http://www.osdbu.gov/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank">www.osdbu.gov</a>). </font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif">While small businesses are the OSBU customer, buying agencies are GSA's customer and each agency has a different customer that is usually tied in to a buying agency.  GSA has to respond to their customers needs just like our small businesses work to meet the needs of their customer demands.  </font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif">GSA customers want more streamlined processes and easier purchasing practices so that they can get on with their mission and not have to weed through 100's of offers to make a purchase.  FSSI came out of the buyers needs and demands for a simpler purchasing process.  Changes in the GSA Schedules practices came out of the same needs and demands.  This is constant and will not change.</font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif">OSBU advocates for small businesses to have opportunities on these programs and FSSI, GSA Schedules, GWACs all include small businesses because of the work of our office and other advocates in our agency.  We work to improve access to opportunities for the vendor while also ensuring GSA is meeting their small business goals which GSA has been very successful at both (<a href="http://smallbusiness.data.gov/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank">http://smallbusiness.data.<wbr>gov/</wbr></a>).  </font></div><wbr><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif">The buying programs cater to the buyers not the vendor because we are a procurement agency focused on getting the buyer what they need to successfully run their programs.</font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><font face="georgia, serif">If you have more questions about how GSA helps small businesses please go to <a href="http://www.gsa.gov/osbu" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank">www.gsa.gov/osbu</a>, for training visit <a href="http://www.gsa.gov/smallbiztraining" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank">www.gsa.gov/smallbiztraining</a> and for advocacy support please visit <a href="http://www.gsa.gov/smallbizsupport" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" target="_blank">www.gsa.gov/smallbizsupport</a> to locate the small business specialist in GSA's OSBU office for counseling and other assistance.</font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Sincerely,</span></div><p><wbr><wbr><wbr></wbr></wbr></wbr></p><wbr><wbr><wbr><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><br /><div> </div><div><font face="georgia, serif">Christy L. Jackiewicz</font></div><div><font face="georgia, serif">Outreach Program Manager</font></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">Office of Small Business Utilization</span></div><div><font face="georgia, serif">General Services Administration</font></div><div><strong><em><font color="#cc0000" face="georgia, serif">Professional, Helpful, Friendly Small Business Solutions</font></em></strong></div></div></div></div></div></wbr></wbr></wbr></wbr></wbr></wbr></p>

Posted 04/03/2015 9:18 AM

Geri Haworth

<p>Thank you for your comment.  The Office of Small Business Utilization created and shared these videos and as a courtesy to subscibers of this group, I am cross-posting. I will forward your message to the persons who developed these videos.  </p>

Posted 03/27/2015 12:04 PM

Geri Haworth

<p>I am working with tech to figure out why the videos are not working.  In the meantime they can be accessed at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/166455.  I apologize for the inconvenience.  </p>

Posted 03/27/2015 11:00 AM

GallsLLC

<p>I really enjoyed this series. Even for those who have established contracts, it is a good refresher. Thank you.</p>

Posted 03/27/2015 10:15 AM

red9655

<p>Videos aren't loading....</p>

Posted 03/27/2015 10:08 AM

Geri Haworth

<p>We believe the problem viewing the videos has been fixed.  Please let me know if you still have problems.  </p>

Posted 03/27/2015 11:57 AM

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