Understanding the General Services Administration Regulation (GSAR) and the GSA Manual (GSAM)

This workshop is designed to ensure that you have the skills necessary to apply the right rules to virtually any commercial item and service acquisition situation.

GSA acts as a catalyst for nearly $66 billion in annual federal spending - more than one-fourth of the government's total procurement dollars. If you are planning on, or are already currently doing business with the federal government, it is critically important to have a detailed working knowledge of the GSAR/GSAM. This workshop is designed ot ensure that you have the skills necessary to apply the right rules to virtually any commercial item and service acquisition situation.

How do the rules governing schedule and GSA Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC's) affect your firm? What do the clauses really say? Are you concerned about compliance issues and staying out of trouble? Or are you a government acquisition official interested in increasing your knowledge of this important compendium of acquisition regulations? This comprehensive coverage of the GSAR is appropriate for new users and will also provide advanced treatment of specific issues for experienced professionals.

The GSA's primary mission is to provide commercial supplies and services, (including construction) that are commonly used by many agencies. Since the GSAR is GSA's supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), you will be provided a basic coverage of FAR Part 12 which covers the Acquisition of Commercial Items. This knowledge is essential in order to effectively apply the GSAR. You will develop an understanding of key Commercial Item and GSAR contract clauses along with a comprehensive explanation designed to give you a full understanding of this complex, and continually changing regulation. Listed below are some of the topics that will be covered during this seminar:

• GSA Schedule and GWAC contract clauses
• Contract clauses applicable to service acquisitions using these methods
• Procurement integrity and contract compliance
• What this all means to your company

For information about joining the Coalition:

The Coalition for Government Procurement (CGP) is a non-profit association of companies that sell commercial services and products to the federal government primarily through multiple award schedule (MAS) contracts and GWACs. The Coalition's mission is to protect the interest of its members by providing valuable information on issues affecting the government market and by constantly advocating common sense in government procurement policy.

1. Join online now at www.coalgovpro.org
2. Call us at 202-331-0975

Coalition for Government Procurement
1990 M Street, N.W. #400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-331-0975
Fax: 202-822-9788
email: info@coalgovpro.org
www.coalgovpro.org

•The Relationship between the FAR, GSAR, GSAM & Your Contract

•Service Contracting

•Procurement Integrity and Conflicts of Interest

•Socio-Economic Provisions

•Key Terms and Conditions

•The Dispute Process

•Clauses Related to Government Audits and Investigations

•Suspension and Debarment

The Course Curriculum will be based and structured on the General Structure and Subparts of the GSAM listed below.

Subchapter A—General

• Part 501—General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation System
• Part 502—Definitions of Words and Terms
• Part 503—Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest
• Part 504—Administrative Matters

Subchapter C—Contracting Methods and Contract Types

• Part 516—Types of Contracts

Subchapter D—Socioeconomic Programs

• Part 519—Small Business Programs
• Part 522—Application of Labor Laws to Government Acquisitions
• Part 523—Environment, Conservation, Occupational Safety an Drug-Free Workplace
• Part 524—Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information
• Part 525—Foreign Acquisition

Subchapter E—General Contracting Requirements

• Part 537—Service Contracting
• Part 538—Federal Supply Schedule Contracting

Subchapter G—Contract Management

• Part 542—Contract Administration and Audit Services
• Part 543—Contract Modifications
• Part 544—Subcontracting Policies and Procedures [Reserved]
• Part 545—Government Property [Reserved]
• Part 546—Quality Assurance
• Part 551—Use of Government Sources by Contractors [Reserved]

Subchapter H—Clauses and Forms

• Part 552—Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses

The Course Faculty

Carolyn Alston  is the General Counsel of Washington Management Group, one of the nation's leading GSA Schedule consulting firms. Carolyn provides legal counsel to WMG's federal acquisition consulting operations. She has extensive and varied experience in the development, implementation and application of commercial acquisition laws and policies. As former Assistant commissioner for Acquisition at GSA's Federal Supply Service and Multiple Award Schedule Program Coordinator, she managed the agency's successful GSA Schedule policies. Carolyn also worked for many years as a senior attorney in GSA's Office of General Counsel.

Tom Sisti As Vice President for Law and Policy of the Washington Management Group, Tom provides advisory and policy support for WMG's clients. Tom served as Senior Counsel to AT&T Government Solutions, supporting defense and civilian businesses and serving as SME for the Government Affairs office. As Counsel to the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, he was the principal staffer responsible for the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 and led oversight of major IT and telecommunications programs. Tom also served as Chief Counsel to the GSA Board of Contract Appeals, and while an attorney at GAO, served as counsel to the House Committee on Government Operations, where he worked on oversight investigations and the Procurement Integrity Act. He has been honored with FCW's "Federal 100" award on four occasions, and serves as a member of the Industry Advisory Committee and the Information Technology Association of America. He is admitted to the bars of New York and the District of Columbia.

Larry Allen  is Executive Vice President of the Coalition for Government Procurement, an association representing over 330 companies selling commercial solutions to the U.S. government. Larry has represented the interests of association members before senior officials of the legislative and executive branches. He has testified before Congress as well as state legislatures. Larry has worked with officials in and out of government to help the GSA Multiple Award Schedules program grow into a program with over $30 billion in sales. Larry has spoken and taught throughout the world on US government procurement. His articles have appeared in numerous trade publications. He is a contributing author to two books, Multiple Award Schedule Contracting and Business 2 Government. His upcoming book, titled The Secrets of Schedules Sales Success is due in Winter 2005. Larry is a recipient of the "Fed 100" award and was appointed by Governor Jim Gilmore to the Virginia Procurement Assessment Task Force. He is a current member of the " Federal Contracts Report" Advisory Board.