Welcome to our Planet B2B blog! Today we will discuss the latest changes and updates in the General Services Administration (GSA) in 2024.
In 2024, GSA introduced several new policies aimed at streamlining the procurement process for government agencies. These new policies focus on increasing transparency and efficiency, allowing for better contract management.
Change in approach to Low Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA): GSA aims to remove language in the schedule program that many blame for agencies still too often using LPTA. Jeff Koses, senior procurement executive at GSA, stated that legislative change would bring clarity to the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984.
CICA Update: The CICA update aims to introduce greater consistency in how agencies use schedules and reinforce that LPTA should mainly be used for non-complex product purchases.
Changes in the Economic Price Adjustment clause: GSA issued a proposed change that would make permanent changes made during the pandemic to the Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Increase in fee percentage: Another proposal that GSA submitted to Congress would allow GSA to increase the percentage of fees collected through the schedule program and other nationwide contracts, which would go to the procurement staff training fund.
GSA is constantly striving to improve its procedures to facilitate B2B companies’ navigation in the contracting process. In 2024, several changes were introduced that aim to simplify the process and increase efficiency.
Changes in the GSA modification process: In recent years, especially from 2023 to 2024, significant changes have occurred in how GSA modifications are handled. The new process is faster, with a more streamlined approval mechanism. Documentation requirements have been increased, ensuring better compliance and clarity.
In addition, here are a few other important changes in GSA procedures:
Standardization and simplification of existing Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) requirements: GSA issued a proposed change that would make permanent changes made during the pandemic to the Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Preserving the contracting officer’s rights to reject, accept, or partially accept an EPA application.
Improving communication channels between contractors and GSA.
GSA is constantly working to improve its system to provide the highest quality of services. In 2024, several key updates were introduced aimed at improving the user experience.
Expansion of the FAS (Federal Acquisition Service) catalog platform: GSA expanded the FAS catalog platform with an additional 140 contracts, and full implementation is planned for early 2024.
Changes in the Economic Price Adjustment clause: GSA issued a proposed change that would make permanent changes made during the pandemic to the Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Increase in fee percentage: Another proposal that GSA submitted to Congress would allow GSA to increase the percentage of fees collected through the schedule program and other nationwide contracts, which would go to the procurement staff training fund.
The year 2024 brought many exciting changes to GSA. These new policies, procedures, and system updates are proof that GSA is committed to continually improving its services to meet the growing demands of the e-Commerce market.
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