GSA/MAS Schedule: The Government’s Go-To Procurement Arm Remains Unchanged
One of the most reliable pathways to securing long-term government contracts is through the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). The GSA Schedule serves as the government’s primary purchasing vehicle, allowing agencies to procure goods and services efficiently from pre-vetted businesses.
What This Means for Your Businesses
The GSA Schedule remains completely unchanged despite recent shifts in policies.
- Federal agencies continue to rely on GSA vendors for everything from IT solutions to professional services.
- Holding a GSA Schedule is still one of the best ways to secure federal contracts without the lengthy bidding process of open-market procurements.
For businesses already on the GSA Schedule, nothing has changed. You still have access to one of the most stable contracting pipelines in the federal marketplace. If you’re considering getting on the GSA Schedule, now is an excellent time to apply, as government agencies are actively looking for qualified businesses to fulfill contracts.
The federal government remains the largest buyer in the world, spending billions annually through the GSA Schedule. Agencies will continue using this streamlined procurement process, ensuring that opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses remain strong.
Government Set-Aside Programs: Unaffected and Strong
Despite shifting policies in some diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, the legal foundation supporting small business contracting remains unchanged. These programs are backed by longstanding laws like the Small Business Act and the Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.
These legal protections ensure that government agencies at the federal level remain committed to awarding contracts to small and disadvantaged businesses. If your business is already certified, your ability to win contracts has not diminished. If you’re considering certification, now is the time to move forward, as the government prioritizes contracting with small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses.
State, Local, County, and Municipal Government Spending Remains Unchanged
While some federal policies may shift, state, local, county, and municipal government spending remains unaffected. These levels of government operate under their own procurement guidelines and continue to allocate billions of dollars annually to small and diverse businesses.
Opportunities at the state and local levels are just as lucrative—if not more accessible—than federal contracts. Many states and counties have their own Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), and Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) programs, ensuring that diverse businesses remain a key part of public-sector procurement.
For businesses pursuing government contracts, this means:
- A steady stream of opportunities at all levels of government.
- Consistent demand for certified businesses in state and local projects.
- Diversity-driven contracting policies that continue to thrive.
While federal programs like Justice40 are evolving, municipal governments have not made any significant policy shifts that impact set-aside contracts. If anything, cities and counties are increasing their focus on supplier diversity as they seek to build stronger, more inclusive local economies.
