A Quick Guide to Government Contracting Platforms for Healthcare

A quick guide to government contracting platforms

Lovell has been awarded contracts within the VA FSS, GSA MAS, DAPA, and ECAT vehicles. For med-surg, dental, and pharmaceutical suppliers, listing your products on these contract vehicles are essential for building your market share in the federal space. Below is a quick breakdown of the different vehicles and who can purchase off these platforms. 

Government Contract Vehicles

A contract vehicle is a streamlined method the government uses to buy goods and services. Contract vehicles are centrally managed by a federal agency, which reduces acquisition administrative costs and creates time and resource efficiencies. (1. Source: CDC.gov) There are many different platforms that can be considered a contract vehicle within specialized categories such as IT, defense, or healthcare. 

The VA FSS, GSA MAS, DAPA, and ECAT vehicles are platforms that add goods and services at pre-negotiated prices to the federal medical supply chain.  Government customers can order off these schedules, knowing that the products have been pre-vetted and that they are receiving the best price. Market research and categorization is done before the products are approved. Listing on these vehicles can lead to purchase orders or even a Blanket Purchase Agreement. Products must meet certain standards and compliance regulations. Some vehicles allow electronic ordering, some are an open directory.

VA FSS: Veterans Affairs Federal Supply Schedule

  > VA FSS Customers are primarily the VA. Other agencies such as Indian Health Services can also order off the FSS Catalog. www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/nac/MedSurg/List 

VA FSS products are eligible to be added to GSA Advantage. www.gsaadvantage.gov

DAPA: Distribution and Pricing Agreement 

  > DAPA Customers are DoD (Department of Defense), Military facilities.

GSA MAS: General Services Administration Multiple Awards Schedule

 > GSA Customers are all government agencies 

GSA MAS products are eligible to be added to GSA Advantage. 

ECAT: Electronic Catalog

ECAT Customers are DoD and VA facilities. All Federal entities are eligible to purchase off ECAT. 

More information on ECAT visit: https://www.lovellgov.com/what-is-the-dlas-ecat/

GSA Advantage

 > GSA Customers are all government agencies

GSA Advantage is an online catalog that customers can use to search for products listed on the VA FSS and GSA MAS. Products must be added by a vendor. Customers can place orders through this platform. www.gsaadvantage.gov

 

Contract Opportunities

These are formal Requests for Proposals. Often when the need is large scale and complex, a governmenty entity will choose to post an RFP with technical specifications and collect bids from vendors. Some opportunities are exclusive Federal Set-Aside Contracts to help meet their small business procurement goals (e.g. the government is required by law to award at least 3% of prime vendor contracts to SDVOSBs). Lovell scans public and proprietary boards for opportunities for all of our partners. 

DIBBS:  DLA Internet Bid Board System

  > Who can purchase:  DoD only

  Web-based application that provides the capability to search, view, and submit quotes

  Allows users to search and view for request for proposals, invitations for bids and awards and other procurement information related to DLA 

FBO:  Federal Business Opportunities

   > Who can purchase: All government agencies

  Micro-purchases/Micro-buys, 1+4 year bidding opportunities, and National Stockpile Opportunities

  CMOP/TMOP (Consolidated/TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy) opportunities exist under FBO and as a stand-alone source.

 

  1. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/contracts/about-cdc-contracts/vehicles.html
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