Maximize Efficiency with GSA Advantage Online Shopping Solutions

One of the very worst parts of being an end-user in the government procurement process is just how long everything takes. Not only is all of the information convoluted and budget rules completely weird and hard to follow, The end user of government purchases is usually low enough on the totem pole that they don’t actually care at all how things happen; they just want to know that something will happen in a reasonable period of time. 

Government purchasing agents and officers can’t really control when the budgets drop or how they get divied up, but one thing that has helped their cause immensely is the existence of GSA Advantage. GSA Advantage has made the process of purchasing supplies, materials, and equipment so much easier. It is a one-stop shop of pre-vetted and approved vendors so you can get from buying approval to purchase and delivery fast. 

Here are the benefits of GSA Advantage. 

Benefits of GSA Advantage

GSA Advantage is the government’s premier online electronic shopping and ordering system. It provides access to thousands of GSA Schedule contractors and millions of products and services. It allows federal, state, and local government agencies to search using keywords, national stock numbers, contract numbers, and vendor names, compare features, prices, and delivery options, and place orders electronically.

GSA Advantage is a critical GSA compliance item, requiring vendors to upload their approved price list within six months of contract award. 

Why?

Because it is a way of leveling the playing field and assuring government buyers that they are getting a good deal and that prices won’t go through the roof behind their backs one day. 

Vendors can submit and update their catalog using SIP 24/7 and are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the data submitted. Disaster relief pandemic products are a good example of items on the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). 

State, local, and tribal agencies can get access for disaster relief items.

Getting Started with GSA Advantage!

GSA Advantage! Has been relatively unchanged for quite a few years now, but that doesn’t make it easier to rank. Our goal is to provide federal agencies easy access to compliant pre-competed products. 

  • Vendors must submit their electronic catalog file to GSA Advantage! Use the Schedule Input Program (SIP) software no later than six months after the award.
  • All vendors must register with the GSA Vendor Support Center (VSC) online or by phone to receive a password required for catalog submissions.
  • Vendors should include keywords in their text to assist with search engine optimization (SEO) and improve visibility in relevant searches. Getting on GSA Advantage! Is only half of the battle; visibility is the other key challenge. 
  • A search engine runs GSA Advantage, so use generic terminology and keywords that your potential customers may use in their searches. This goes back to understanding the agencies you’re trying to reach and thinking in terms that they would use and understand. 
  • Leave the NSN field “blank” and remove self-provided NSN references from your product descriptions.

Purchasing Resources

GSA Advantage is an online shopping and ordering system providing access to thousands of contractors and millions of products and services. It is not privileged to access, so all parties who are interested in providing services and want to get on the MAS through the General Services Administration can check out the site and get a better understanding of the search process and how it ranks products and vendors. 

The GSA eLibrary provides detailed contract award information for Schedules, technology contracts, and more. 

Greenwood Aerospace provides federal agencies with access to a wide range of products and services that include aircraft sustainment, spare parts, GSE, and even aircraft leasing. But we offer more than just aviation and aerospace supplies and services; we are also your preferred MIL-SPEC packaging partner, plus we provide disaster response and relief supplies. 

Products and Services

The GSA global supply network is a massive web of vendors that supply everything it takes to keep the government running. The National Customer Service Center is the apparatus to keep things running smoothly for vendors. 

Again, look at GSA Advantage!, the official website for vendors. Like a search engine, because that is essentially what it is. 
First, generic images are not suggested because the search engine views generic images accordingly and recognizes that those images have been used many times before. Create thumbnails and product images in-house for better search reach on your GSA Advantage! Items.

FAQs and Glossary

  • What is GSA Advantage?—the General Services Administration officially sanctioned website for an entire product catalog of millions of items. 
  • How do I get started with GSA Advantage? — first and foremost, you have to get on the GSA schedule or the MAS. 
  • What are the benefits of using GSA Advantage? — GSA Advantage puts not only your products but your vendor profile in front of all federal government purchasers, and in disaster response cases, state and local governments, too. 
  • How do I submit my electronic catalog to GSA Advantage?—To submit your electronic catalog to GSA Advantage, you'll use the Schedule Input Program (SIP), a free software provided by GSA, or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), after registering your contract with the GSA Vendor Support Center (VSC).
  • What are the requirements for photos on GSA Advantage?—GIF format is not supported, and images must be JPEG or PNG, minimum of 500x500 but up to 800x800 pexels. The GSA Advantage website will automatically create thumbnails for your products.