The General Services Administration plans to refine its acquisition process under the second phase of an agency initiative to provide tools and support for companies that aim to do business with the government.Kevin Youel Page, deputy commissioner of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, wrote in a blog post published Monday the agency plans to update its web resources for phase 2 of the Making It Easier initiative that was launched in April.
He added GSA currently develops plain language guides for each contract vehicle under the Multiple Award Schedules program to pattern after the IT Schedule 70 Plain Language Roadmap that was released during MIE’s first phase.
GSA will publish introductory guides called Quickstart Guides on how to use MAS contract vehicles and the eOffer Quickstart Guide is the first release, according to Page.
He also noted that FAS will train the National Customer Service Center in efforts to overhaul GSA’s help desk structure to provide a single point of contact for all inquiries.
GSA also published the “Making it Easier to do Business with the Government Report” to provide details on MIE initiatives in fiscal year 2016.
GSA programs during MIE’s first phase include FASt Lane and the IT Schedule 70 Startup Springboard, which are designed to reduce time it takes for companies to secure positions under the IT Schedule 70 contract vehicle.
Page said 108 companies got on Schedule during FASt Lane’s first six months and 195 companies have completed training under Startup Springboard since April.
