MEMORANDUM FOR DISTRIBUTION

SUBJECT: General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedules as Preferred Sources of Supply

I recently met with Mr. Bill Gormley, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Acquisition, for the Federal Supply Service (FSS) at GSA, regarding the many improvements made to FSS Schedule contracts. There have always been many advantages to schedule use. GSA seeks competition, determines price reasonableness, and considers small business set-aside requirements when it solicits and awards contracts. In addition, orders under these schedules comply with the requirements of the Economy Act. Recent innovative changes mirroring commercial practices, to include the use of the Internet, have made GSA schedules even more efficient to use. I have attached a listing of these changes.

I urge you to take full advantage of GSA Schedule contracts if you need supplies or services that are covered under them. Use of these contracts meets DoD goals to simplify the acquisition process while at the same time increasing the contracting officer's authority and ability to make sound business judgments.

Eleanor R. Spector
Director, Defense Procurement