GSA encourages agencies to use its contracts for stimulus projects

Existing contracts offer the best option for getting stimulus money out the door quickly, a General Services Administration senior official said on Monday.

Mary Davie, assistant commissioner of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, told members of the Industry Advisory Council and American Council for Technology that the agency is marketing its schedules and governmentwide acquisition contracts for spending under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"If you can use existing contracts… it's going to help you on the time frame immediately," Davie said. "It will help you with the firm fixed-price aspect, and it will help you with competition. Agencies should look first to existing contracts."

Preparing GSA's contract vehicles for use in stimulus efforts is something the agency has been focusing on since President Obama signed the Recovery Act on Feb. 17. In a statement after the package became law, acting administrator Paul Prouty said GSA "stands ready" to help agencies acquire stimulus-related goods and services through the multiple-award schedules, GWACs and multiple agency contracts.

"GSA is in a terrific position to connect agencies with cost-effective, high-quality and environmentally friendly commercial products and services," Prouty said. "We are thrilled by this unique opportunity to be a part of the solution to our nation's economic crisis."

Davie said GSA has drawn up a list of schedule categories that align with stimulus program areas and is holding outreach events to teach officials how to use pre-negotiated contract vehicles.

"We have things that are ready to use…. whether they are contract solutions, or people who can help you use the contract solutions," Davie said. "GSA has a whole bunch of solutions."