A Small Business Opportunity for GSA Buyers

Progressive Industries | May 26, 2021 | 0 Comments

GSA buyers can now buy online! In June of 2020, the Federal GSA awarded 3 e-commerce providers as the primary sourcing providers for its Commercial e-marketplace “proof of concept” program. This is a giant step forward into the 21^st century purchasing trends letting government buyers use commercial platforms to conduct under $10,000.00 acquisitions.

Amazon Business, Fisher Scientific and Overstock.com will each provide a GSA-approved online marketplace site, where agencies and CO’s can purchase commercial products online. The value of the purchase price must remain below the micro-purchase threshold of $10,000 using government-issued p-cards. Per the parameters of the program, the major corporate suppliers are inviting small businesses to participate in these sales opportunities.

“The awards,” said GSA in a June 26 statement, “will allow those purchases for up to three years under the proof-of-concept.”

Progressive Industries, Inc. is a proud Small WOSB/EDWOSB/HUBZone distributor, since 1985 – that is participating in GSA’s Commercial Platform, initiated to help simplify the purchasing experience for Federal buyers, with a broad base of agencies. Small businesses can gain momentum in the B2G environment through the successful participation in this program.

CEO of Progressive Industries, Valerie O’Donnell pragmatically proclaims – “This is an extraordinary opportunity to revive small businesses in our country – rebranding, pivoting and reinventing in the face of the COVID virus has been a huge undertaking and only a small number have survived. We’re anticipating that this will propel sales volume and success for the small businesses who participate”.

“The e-commerce portals proof-of-concept program is an important solution for buyers purchasing commercial products online that protects federal supply chain against malicious and counterfeit goods, furthering our national security,” cited a GSA Administrator. “Our approach continues to be shaped by the Department of Homeland Security’s Best Practices for E-Commerce Platforms and Third-Party Marketplaces, combining better security practices, better data, and better pricing.”

This program will succeed if the Federal Agencies purchasing participation is strong and robust. Federal buyers need to “think outside the big box” and seek out participating small business resellers – and spend, spend, spend. Without strong support, we won’t survive.