Under the GSA Schedules Program, GSA establishes long-term governmentwide contracts that allow customers to acquire a vast array of supplies (products) and services directly from commercial suppliers.

To become a GSA Schedule contractor, a vendor must first submit an offer in response to the applicable GSA Schedule solicitation.

GSA awards contracts to responsible companies offering commercial items, at fair and reasonable prices, that fall within the generic descriptions in the GSA Schedule Solicitations. Contracting Officers determine whether prices are fair and reasonable by comparing the prices/discounts that a company offers the government with the prices/discounts that the company offers to commercial customers. This negotiation objective is commonly known as "most favored customer" pricing. In order to make this comparison, GSA requires offerors to furnish commercial pricelists and disclose information regarding their pricing/discounting practices.

In order to fully understand the process involved in "Getting on Schedule," GSA recommends that all vendors take the Center for Acquisition Excellence online, self-paced training course, "How to Become a Contractor—GSA Schedules Program." The course describes—

• Various features of the GSA Schedules Program;
• How to submit an offer;
• The evaluation and contract award process;
• How to successfully market supplies and services; and
• Sources of information related to Schedule contract administration