Archive for the ‘GSA’ Category

Free GSA IT 70 Training 9/20 & 9/21/10 – Tips on Offers, Marketing, & Compliance

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Attendees will gain insight on (a) the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) IT 70 offer process, (b) marketing a MAS IT 70 contract, and (c) keeping schedule contracts in compliance via FREE IT Schedule 70 Business Partner Training classes (Pre-Award and Post-Award).  Classes are offered by GSA’s Center for IT Schedule 70 Program and will be held at 2200 Crystal Drive, Crystal Plaza 4, Room L1301, Arlington, Virginia 22202.

• IT Schedule 70 Pre-Award Training – Held September 20, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This class provides an overview of the OFFER process with seasoned Contract Officer break-out-discussions that include key segments of the contracting process, the Commercial Sales Practices (CSP) Chart and the labor matrix for services.
• IT Schedule 70 Post-Award Training– Held September 21, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This class will provide you with helpful information on how to market your GSA Schedule contract, how to keep your contract in compliance and how to use e-Tools as a resource.
• Registration form and Driving directions available at GSA IT 70 Training webpage.  Contact GSA for additional information at:  IT Center Hotline (703) 605-2700,  8am – 4pm EST daily, email: it.center@gsa.gov.

Contact Vanessa Payne at Aronson & Company, 301-231-6200, vpayne@aronsoncompany.com with your GSA and government contracting questions.

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GSA issues Travel Per Diem Rates for FY 2011 – Many localities see Decreases or No change in Per Diem rates

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Government contractors charging travel expenses to their government contracts need to be aware that the General Services Administration (GSA) released the GFY 2011 per diem rates.  The GFY 2011 per diem rates are effective October 1, 2010, and will govern reimbursement of contractor CONUS travel expenses performed on or after October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011.

The nation’s economic downturn affected per diem lodging rates in many localities, and the majority of locations saw a decrease or no change in per diem lodging rates.  Additionally the GSA’s annual study resulted in five new non-standard areas, which will apply separate rates than the CONUS standard.  Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) have also changed for GFY 2011.

If you currently charge per diem to your government contracts, you should review those rates for the periods October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011 for any applicable changes.  Need assistance with your government contract rates?  Contact Aronson & Company’s Government Contracts Solutions Group.

New Routing Number for Mandatory GSA Schedule Quarterly Fee Payments Effective July 1, 2010

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Pay.gov, GSA’s online payment processing system, is making some changes to the way it processes electronic debit payments from bank accounts. Pay.gov, has introduced a new routing number for Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) electronic payments: 041036046 (effective July 1, 2010). The new routing number is in addition to the current Pay.gov routing number: 042736141. You may be impacted by this change if you submit your IFF to GSA electronically (ePay) AND you utilize debit block services from your financial institution (if you unblock your accounts using Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) routing numbers).  To determine whether this change will affect your future IFF payments, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you submit IFF payments through ePay Direct Debit from a bank or other financial institution account?
2. Does your bank or financial institution account currently have debit blocks in place?

If you answered “yes” to both of these questions, you must provide the new routing transit number (041036046) to your financial institution so your IFF payments will continue to process successfully. If you previously unblocked your account for ACH debits with GSA’s ten-digit Company ID number instead of unblocking by routing number, you will not be affected by this change and will not need to provide the new routing number. For additional assistance, contact your assigned GSA Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) (GSA ACO Locator) or see the 72A Quarterly Reporting System (72a.gov)

GSA Management Leadership Directory

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Ever want to put a face with a name?  Great tool for getting to people that make decisions!      Download Directory

Don’t Forget to Report GSA Sales and Remit IFF by 7/30!

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

GSA Schedule Contract holders don’t let dreams of vacations or nightmares of buying season distract you from the fact that your GSA 72A sales reporting and IFF remittance are due no later than this Friday, July 30th! Quarterly sales reporting is a contract requirement even if you had no sales during the quarter (although as dedicated followers of FedPoint, I doubt that’s the case)! Submit reporting and payments online to avoid being late and getting a negative mark on your GSA Report Card.

Steve Kempf Named Commissioner Of GSA Federal Acquisition Service

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Steve Kempf doesn’t need to worry about his job any longer! On July 13, it was formally announced that he had accepted the position of commissioner of the GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS).  Kempf had been the acting commissioner since April 2010.

In a memo to GSA staff,  GSA Administrator Martha Johnson highlighted some activities Kempf would be focusing on:

• Appointing an executive to champion innovation and transformation across FAS;
• Revitalizing FAS’ relationships with its customers;
• Driving forward on the Zero Environmental Footprint goal and other key enterprise objectives; (more…)

Briefing on GSA FedRAMP Program for Cloud Computing Coming 7/26/10

Monday, July 19th, 2010

GSA will be hosting a briefing in conjunction with the American Council for Technology-Industry Advisory Council(IAC) on Monday, July 26th to discuss the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program(FedRAMP). This briefing will include discussion on cloud computing, which is the initial focus of FedRAMP.  (more…)

New VA Online Sales Reporting / Payment System for 3rd Quarter Reporting

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the General Service Administration (GSA) have collaborated to create a new GSA/VA Sales Portal.   It is now online allowing firms with Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts awarded by and managed by the VA to register to report sales for the 3nd quarter of FY-2010 (ended 6/30/10, with reports due no later than 8/31/10).  Similar to the 72a.gov system for GSA-managed FSS contracts,  contractors will also make Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) payments electronically through the new  GSA/VA system. This will streamline the sales reporting process and will automate IFF payment for VA-managed FSS contract holders.  This is a huge step forward from the current VA Sales Spreadsheet reporting process.  If you have a VA-managed FSS contract, visit https://vasalesportal.gsa.gov to access and register the VA Online Sales Reporting System.  To learn more about VA Schedule Contracts, see the VA Federal Supply Schedule Service monthly newsletter.

GSA Hires Herd of Goats – Think They Listed Them as Jobs Created?

Friday, July 9th, 2010

GSA’s commitment to a zero environmental footprint took an unusual turn when the time came for the annual removal of vegetation and overgrowth at the Richard H. Chambers U.S. Courthouse in Pasadena, CA. Instead of the usual crew of laborers and heavy equipment, federal employees were greeted by a herd of hungry goats readying to feast on the brush and weeds threatening to overtake the property.

Why goats, you might ask? Well, apparently goats are an efficient and environmentally friendly vegetation removal tool. They are so efficient, in fact, that the herd completed the task in just over half the time it took the old crew to do the same job. Plus, they did it without damaging or polluting the grass and soil. This innovative solution is yet another way GSA is working on reducing its impact, so don’t be surprised if you see barn animals grazing at a federal building in your neighborhood soon!

GSA Names “Chief Greening Officer” for Federal Buildings

Friday, July 9th, 2010

GSA has made it clear that it plans to be at the forefront for state-of-the-art and emerging green technology since President Obama’s Executive Order on sustainability issued in October, 2009. Announcing the appointment of Ms. Reed, GSA stated that, “under her leadership, the agency will continue its commitment to develop a higher performing, greener federal building inventory and serve as a green proving ground for the American real estate industry.”

According to Federal Computer Week, Reed was previously “the director of sustainability strategies with the Cushman & Wakefield Client Solutions Group. There she helped develop an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency for the environmental management of the firm’s properties. Reed also worked with the New York City Office of Operations and led the implementation of the city’s Green Building Standards law.”