PRICE REPORTER INC.

PRICE REPORTER INC. Price Reporter is the industry leader in marketing intelligence and IT consulting services.

Price Reporter offers a unique turnkey price management and E-Catalog administration solution for GSA Advantage and DOD EMall vendors.

Effective August 10, 2026, the National Stock Number (NSN) field was removed from the FAS Catalog Platform Product File....
09/01/2026

Effective August 10, 2026, the National Stock Number (NSN) field was removed from the FAS Catalog Platform Product File. 🧾⚙️

For contractors with older catalog data, this means it may be time for a cleanup.

What changed?

🔹 The NSN field is being removed from FCP Product Files
🔹 The field may still appear in legacy SIP templates, but contractors should no longer use it
🔹 If an outdated Product File containing the NSN field is submitted through FCP, the field will simply be ignored

The correct approach now depends on what you sell.

📌 AbilityOne authorized distributors:
Applicable NSNs should be entered in the Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) field.

📌 Other MAS contractors:
NSNs generally should not appear in product listings because they are not awarded as part of the MAS contract.

Contractors should review their catalog data before the next modification:

✅ Check current FCP listings for NSN entries
✅ Remove NSNs that were added manually to product descriptions
✅ Confirm AbilityOne NSNs are correctly entered in the MPN field
✅ Stop populating the NSN column in older templates

Why does this matter? ⚠️

Incorrect product identification can create avoidable catalog corrections and potentially delay future FCP submissions.

This update is another reminder that small catalog-data changes can have a direct impact on modification processing and compliance.

📖 Read the full update:
https://pricereporter.com/gsa-is-removing-the-nsn-field-from-fcp/

Is GSA Schedule consulting expensive? The better question is: what does managing the process incorrectly cost? 💰🏛️At fir...
08/31/2026

Is GSA Schedule consulting expensive? The better question is: what does managing the process incorrectly cost? 💰🏛️

At first glance, handling a GSA Schedule application in-house may seem like the more affordable option.

But the real cost can include:

🔹 employee time diverted from core responsibilities
🔹 training and research
🔹 proposal errors and missing documents
🔹 delayed submissions
🔹 weak pricing negotiations
🔹 missed compliance requirements
🔹 ongoing maintenance after award

A GSA Schedule is not a one-time application. It requires preparation, negotiation, communication with GSA, contract maintenance, pricing updates, sales reporting, and continuous compliance. ⚙️

There are generally two consulting models:

📌 Partial-service consulting
The consultant handles selected parts of the process, while your internal team remains responsible for submission, communication, and other critical steps.

📌 Full-service consulting
The consultant supports the full lifecycle - from document preparation and negotiations to post-award maintenance and compliance.

The lowest upfront price is not always the lowest total cost.

A strong GSA consulting partner can help contractors:

✅ reduce internal workload
✅ avoid preventable submission mistakes
✅ improve pricing and negotiation support
✅ maintain accurate contract data
✅ stay current with reporting and compliance obligations
✅ resolve issues before they put the contract at risk

The value of consulting is not simply in completing forms. It is in reducing risk, saving time, and helping turn a GSA Schedule into a long-term business asset. 🎯

Before comparing fees, compare what is actually included - and what your company would still need to manage internally.

📖 Read the full article:
https://pricereporter.com/is-gsa-schedule-consulting-expensive-not-so-fast/

What is the Industrial Funding Fee - and why does every GSA Schedule contractor need to understand it? 💵🏛️The Industrial...
08/28/2026

What is the Industrial Funding Fee - and why does every GSA Schedule contractor need to understand it? 💵🏛️

The Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) is a mandatory fee applied to reported GSA Schedule sales. It helps fund the operations of the Federal Acquisition Service and is currently set at 0.75%.

In practice, the IFF is built into the final GSA price paid by the government customer.

For example:

📌 Discounted contract price: $9,000
📌 IFF at 0.75%: $67.50
📌 Final GSA price: $9,067.50

Contractors then report the applicable GSA sales and remit the IFF to GSA.

A simple way to calculate an IFF-inclusive price is to divide the discounted price by 0.9925. 📊

A few important points:

🔹 IFF applies only to reportable GSA Schedule sales
🔹 Open Market items should not be included
🔹 Sales under separate contracting authorities may also be excluded
🔹 Zero sales must still be reported
🔹 Reporting and payment deadlines still apply even when no payment is due

Contractors generally report sales through the FAS Sales Reporting Portal and must submit the required information within the applicable reporting period.

The IFF can be paid through Pay.gov, using approved payment methods.

Why does this matter? ⚠️

Incorrect reporting, missed deadlines, or failure to remit the required fee can create compliance issues and may even put the GSA contract at risk.

The IFF may be only 0.75%, but managing it correctly requires accurate sales classification, reliable reporting processes, and consistent contract administration.

📖 Read the full guide:
https://pricereporter.com/what-is-the-industrial-funding-fee-iff/

How should you price services on a GSA Schedule? 💵One of the most common misconceptions is that GSA contractors must alw...
08/27/2026

How should you price services on a GSA Schedule? 💵

One of the most common misconceptions is that GSA contractors must always offer the lowest possible price.

In reality, GSA is looking for pricing that is fair and reasonable based on the market, the scope of the service, the qualifications required, and the overall value offered.

For service and labor pricing, GSA may consider factors such as:

🔹 Geographic region
🔹 Wage determinations
🔹 Employee education and experience
🔹 Certifications and licenses
🔹 Security clearances
🔹 Specific job functions
🔹 Consumer Price Index and Employment Cost Index data

Your proposed rate should be competitive - but it also needs to be realistic, supportable, and profitable. 📊

A strong GSA pricing strategy typically includes:

✅ Competitive research
Compare labor rates, ceiling prices, sales trends, and competing offers using federal market research tools.

✅ A clear pricing proposal
Document commercial rates, applicable discounts, GSA rates, warranty terms, and other relevant conditions.

✅ A well-supported price narrative
Explain why the proposed rates are fair and reasonable based on qualifications, market conditions, and the value of the services.

✅ Accurate Commercial Sales Practices
For applicable contracts, GSA may review how your commercial customers are priced and discounted.

Contractors also need to understand post-award pricing obligations. ⚠️

Depending on the contract structure, this may include:

📌 monitoring commercial price reductions
📌 notifying GSA when required
📌 requesting Economic Price Adjustments
📌 applying annual escalation clauses correctly
📌 keeping awarded rates and supporting documentation current

Pricing too high can make an offer uncompetitive. Pricing too low can create performance and profitability problems.

The goal is not simply to offer the lowest rate. It is to present pricing that is competitive, defensible, and aligned with the value your company delivers. 🎯

📖 Read the full guide:
https://pricereporter.com/how-to-price-your-gsa-services/

Your GSA Schedule may open doors beyond the federal market. 🏛️➡️🏙️Through the Cooperative Purchasing Program, eligible s...
08/26/2026

Your GSA Schedule may open doors beyond the federal market. 🏛️➡️🏙️

Through the Cooperative Purchasing Program, eligible state, local, regional, and tribal governments can purchase certain products and services from GSA Schedule contractors.

For vendors, that means access to a broader public-sector market - without starting from zero in every jurisdiction.

The program is designed to simplify procurement, reduce administrative effort, and help participating governments purchase through established GSA Multiple Award Schedule contracts.

Eligible buyers may include:

🔹 State and local government agencies
🔹 Regional and tribal governments
🔹 Public school systems and educational institutions
🔹 Other qualifying government instrumentalities

Under Cooperative Purchasing, eligible entities can generally purchase solutions in areas such as:

💻 IT hardware, software, cloud services, and professional IT support
🔐 Security and law enforcement products
🚨 Alarm, emergency, and public-safety systems
🔥 Firefighting and rescue equipment
🏢 Facility-management and related services

Why should GSA contractors pay attention?

✅ Access to additional public-sector customers
✅ More opportunities to expand beyond federal agencies
✅ A simplified purchasing route for eligible buyers
✅ Greater value from an existing MAS contract
✅ Potential for stronger state and local sales pipelines

Cooperative Purchasing is not the only option available to non-federal entities. Depending on the circumstances, programs such as Disaster Purchasing, the 1122 Program, and public-health emergency purchasing may also provide access to MAS offerings.

The important takeaway: securing a GSA Schedule can create more than federal sales opportunities. Contractors that understand available purchasing programs can position themselves for business across multiple levels of government. 🚀

📖 Read the full guide:
https://pricereporter.com/how-to-sell-to-local-and-state-governments-via-the-cooperative-purchasing-program/

A GSA Schedule can open the door to the federal market - but it will not generate sales on its own. 🏛️Government contrac...
08/24/2026

A GSA Schedule can open the door to the federal market - but it will not generate sales on its own. 🏛️

Government contracting is still a market. There is competition, changing demand, buyer expectations, pricing pressure, and a need to stay visible.

That is why a strong GSA marketing strategy matters.

Many contractors invest months in obtaining a Schedule, then wait for orders to appear. In reality, consistent federal sales usually require ongoing effort before and after the contract award. 📈

Here are several practical ways to strengthen your position:

🔹 Start with cost-effective marketing channels
A focused LinkedIn presence, a clear landing page, email outreach, and useful content can help build visibility without creating excessive marketing costs.

🔹 Build a recognizable federal brand
Make it clear across your website, materials, emails, and capability statements that your company is an active GSA contractor.

🔹 Understand your competition
Review competing vendors, pricing, delivery terms, product gaps, and positioning across federal marketplaces.

🔹 Protect your reputation
Strong performance, reliable delivery, responsive service, and positive past-performance records can improve your chances in future competitions. ⭐

🔹 Understand what agencies actually need
The strongest contractors do more than describe products or capabilities. They connect their offer to a specific government problem and present a practical solution.

🔹 Demonstrate expertise
Articles, research, webinars, case studies, and useful market insights can help position your company as a knowledgeable and trustworthy supplier. 💡

🔹 Keep your catalogs current
Accurate pricing, descriptions, images, product information, and contract data are essential when buyers research your company through GSA Advantage!® and eBuy.

Most importantly, do not stop marketing after a few weeks.

Federal business development is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistent market research, relationship building, catalog maintenance, and brand visibility can turn a GSA Schedule from a passive listing into a real business asset. 🚀

📖 Read the full article:
https://pricereporter.com/a-not-so-secret-way-to-connect-to-billions-of-gsa-contracting/

What is a Blanket Purchase Agreement - and why can it be such a valuable opportunity for GSA contractors? 📄🏛️A Blanket P...
08/21/2026

What is a Blanket Purchase Agreement - and why can it be such a valuable opportunity for GSA contractors? 📄🏛️

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is a simplified purchasing arrangement that helps federal agencies meet recurring needs for products or services without negotiating every order from scratch.

Once the BPA is established, the agency and contractor agree on the key terms and conditions that will apply to future purchases.

That can make repeat buying faster, more predictable, and easier to manage. ⚙️

Common BPA purchases may include:

🔹 Tools and equipment
🔹 Batteries and electronic parts
🔹 Paints and supplies
🔹 Components and expendable items
🔹 Other products agencies need to reorder regularly

For contractors, a Schedule BPA can offer several important advantages:

✅ less paperwork for recurring orders
✅ more predictable demand and revenue
✅ better production and supply-chain planning
✅ faster ordering and payment cycles
✅ reduced competition after the BPA is awarded
✅ opportunities for longer-term agency relationships

There are several types of BPAs, including:

📌 Single-award BPAs
📌 Multiple-award BPAs
📌 Government-wide Schedule BPAs

A Schedule BPA must be established against an active Multiple Award Schedule contract, and the award process depends on the estimated value of the agreement.

To compete successfully, contractors typically need:

🎯 an active and relevant GSA Schedule
🎯 competitive pricing
🎯 strong past performance
🎯 financial stability
🎯 a clear ability to deliver consistent value

BPAs are not automatic wins - but for well-positioned contractors, they can become a powerful way to secure repeat business and build a stronger federal sales pipeline. 🚀

📖 Read the full guide:
https://pricereporter.com/what-is-a-blanket-purchase-agreement-bpa/

GSA TDR reporting for services is becoming much more detailed. 📊⚙️For labor-based services contractors, reporting will n...
08/19/2026

GSA TDR reporting for services is becoming much more detailed. 📊⚙️

For labor-based services contractors, reporting will no longer be as simple as entering monthly sales totals.

The latest GSA guidance emphasizes that each transaction must be matched to the correct:

🔹 Order
🔹 SIN
🔹 Order type
🔹 Unit of measure
🔹 Deliverable description
🔹 Customer code

For Labor Hour and Time & Materials orders, contractors should be prepared to report at the labor category level, including hourly rates, hours worked, worksite, order type, and applicable SIN.

GSA is also placing more emphasis on UCIDs, which help connect internal labor category names to the approved GSA catalog and price list. 🔗

For Firm Fixed Price orders, the reporting structure is different.

Contractors are generally not required to break out hourly labor rates. Instead, the focus is on:

✅ using the invoice description in the Description of Deliverable field
✅ selecting the correct unit of measure
✅ uploading PWS, SOO, or SOW documentation for new awards over $1 million

The practical challenge is that many accounting systems, invoices, internal labor codes, and approved GSA price lists are not structured the same way.

That means TDR for services is not just a reporting task. It is a broader data-quality and contract-administration process that affects accounting, invoicing, catalog management, and order documentation. 🧩

Contractors should start reviewing:

📌 whether labor categories match the approved GSA price list
📌 whether internal codes can be mapped to UCIDs
📌 whether PIIDs and order numbers are captured correctly
📌 whether FFP invoices include clear service descriptions
📌 whether SCLS labor lines use the required wage determination format
📌 whether mixed orders separate products, labor, T&M, and FFP correctly

The best time to clean up your reporting structure is before the first required submission - not after SRP errors and missing fields create compliance issues. ⚠️

📖 Read the full article:
https://pricereporter.com/gsa-tdr-for-services-reporting-is-becoming-more-detailed/

Using Amazon or another third-party marketplace to fulfill GSA MAS orders? It may be time to review your process. ⚠️📦GSA...
08/17/2026

Using Amazon or another third-party marketplace to fulfill GSA MAS orders? It may be time to review your process. ⚠️📦

GSA has issued a new compliance reminder emphasizing that routing MAS order fulfillment through commercial e-commerce platforms can create a high risk of non-compliance unless contractors can clearly demonstrate that every MAS requirement is still being met.

The key point is simple:

Even when a third-party platform is involved, you remain the contractor of record.

That means your company is still fully responsible for:

🔹 Trade Agreements Act compliance
🔹 Industrial Funding Fee reporting
🔹 MAS pricing requirements
🔹 Product scope compliance
🔹 Proper invoicing and order processing
🔹 Supply chain integrity and product marking

This applies whether the order originated through GSA Advantage!®, eBuy, or another authorized MAS ordering method. 🏛️

The use of a marketplace does not transfer your contractual obligations to the platform.

Contractors relying on third-party fulfillment should carefully review:

✅ who is actually shipping the product
✅ whether the item is TAA compliant
✅ whether pricing matches the MAS contract
✅ how sales are reported for IFF purposes
✅ whether invoices and order records remain accurate
✅ whether the supply chain can be fully documented

The potential consequences of non-compliance may include repayment of improperly reported sales, negative CPARS impacts, contract cancellation, and, in severe cases, suspension or debarment.

Operational convenience should never come at the expense of contract compliance. 🔍

Have you recently reviewed your marketplace fulfillment workflow?

📖 Read the full article:
https://pricereporter.com/gsa-issues-compliance-reminder-on-commercial-e-commerce-platforms-for-mas-orders/

The FAS Catalog Platform just made catalog management more efficient. ⚙️📊As of June 15, 2026, GSA expanded the Quick Upd...
08/14/2026

The FAS Catalog Platform just made catalog management more efficient. ⚙️📊

As of June 15, 2026, GSA expanded the Quick Update feature, giving contractors more flexibility to remove flagged products from catalog modifications while allowing compliant items to continue through the review process.

That means fewer delays caused by a small number of problematic line items. ⏳

For MAS Product Catalogs, Quick Update now supports additional Compliance & Pricing findings, including:

🔹 Missing or Invalid Data
Contractors can remove products with incomplete or invalid information, correct them, and resubmit them later.

🔹 Self Hits Only
Products that appear only in the contractor’s own government catalog can now be separated while GSA completes manual market research.

BPA contractors also received new capabilities:

🔹 BPA Price Exceeds MAS Pricing
Products can be removed when BPA pricing exceeds the awarded MAS price.

🔹 BPA Item Not Found on MAS
Contractors can identify and remove BPA items that are no longer awarded on the parent MAS contract.

Why does this matter?

✅ Compliant products can continue moving forward
✅ A few flagged items no longer need to delay the full modification
✅ Removed-item files can be reused for future corrections or deletions
✅ MAS and BPA catalogs can stay aligned with less manual work
✅ Large catalog updates may become easier to manage

For contractors handling hundreds or thousands of products, this is a practical improvement that can reduce processing time and simplify Compliance & Pricing remediation. 🚀

As always, contractors should review the official GSA guidance before changing their catalog management process.

📖 Read the full update:
https://pricereporter.com/the-fas-catalog-platform-fcp-just-made-catalog-management-more-efficient/

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