The General Services Administration, or GSA, was formed in 1949 at the recommendation of the Hoover Commission to act as an “Office of General Services” for the federal government.  Since its first job (renovating the White House in 1949), the GSA has acted as an overseer of procurement for government buildings and facilities, ensuring all business done through the agency is conducted fairly at a predetermined price.  

GSA as a whole functions through a series of “Schedules.” A schedule in the GSA sense is a pre-negotiated contract that is agreed upon between a company and the government that includes delivery conditions, warranties, etc.  When looking to purchase a product through GSA, a government agency can scan a variety of GSA schedules in a particular product category to compare companies.  Aside from the company’s product pricing, the GSA contract provides additional info on the company including their status as a small business concern and whether the business is female and/or minority-owned.   These business types qualify for special GSA opportunities that are especially set-aside for certain small businesses. GSA is a preferred way of business for government employees and agencies. Although companies are not forced to go through GSA to do business with the government, many choose to do so for two primary reasons: price and convenience.  With GSA all the pricing and company information is explicitly and conveniently displayed and can be purchased instantly, in comparison to regular deals that require back and forth conversations including quoting and negotiations.

Like we mentioned above, the entire purpose of the GSA is to make the process of purchasing extremely easy for the average government procurement manager.  Using the GSA Advantage website, they can type in a wide variety of search terms, look at products and pricing from a variety of different distributors and manufacturers, and easily decide which would work best for their needs.  In most cases, they would know exactly what they are getting, what quantity it will be in, and even have a relatively good idea on when they can expect to receive it.

Panel Built GSA Info

Panel Built, Inc. is one of the largest suppliers of modular offices, mezzanines, and guard houses to the United States government through GSA.  Working in Schedule Title 56 of GSA, Buildings and Building Materials, Panel Built often is working on facilities in military bases and government buildings across the United States.