Opportunities for GSA MAS Contractors in the Time of COVID-19
President Donald Trump signed into law Friday afternoon, March 27, 2020 a historic $2 trillion stimulus package as the American public and the US economy fight the devastating spread of COVID-19.
The far-reaching legislation stands as the largest emergency aid package in US history. The $2 trillion federal stimulus bill also includes $340 billion (in addition to the $150 billion) in emergency supplemental funding of which more than 80 percent ($274 billion) will go directly to states and localities, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Here is a breakdown of some of the key funding streams that are either directly related to technology or may incorporate technology as an allowable expense:
- $400 million for elections security
- $25 million for distance learning, telemedicine and broadband for rural communities
- $850 million to states and localities through the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for public safety and criminal justice agencies
- $200 million for telehealth for the FCC to support healthcare providers
- $9.1 million to protect critical infrastructure from Department of Homeland Security
- $500 million for public health data surveillance and infrastructure modernization for state and local public health
- $1.5 billion in state and local preparedness grants from FEMA
- $13.5 billion in formula funding for K-12 districts to meet immediate needs and improve use of ed tech $5 billion in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to provide states and localities with the resources to serve their constituents
- $4 billion in homeless assistance grants to address the homeless population during COVID-19
- $1.5 billion in grants for economic development for communities suffering due to COVID-19
What does this mean for government contractors?
It means opportunities. Plain and simple. Government contractors are playing and will continue to play a critical role in supporting government decision makers with their immediate, near-term and long-term response requirements.
As a result of COVID-19, federal and state governments have a sudden and unanticipated need for more goods and services. Some of those goods and services are highly specialized and specific to COVID-19. FEMA has published a list of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and critical supplies needed at this time along with their contact information.
But governments also have an increased and urgent need to buy otherwise-routine goods and services that have become newly critical in the wake of COVID-19.
All of this means that there are and will be procurements where speed is the priority, and where there is no time for the normal pace and cadence of the procurement process and contract formation. It also means that resources necessarily will get taken away from routine procurement tasks and reallocated to urgent matters.
If you are a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) holder this is great news as you are eligible to provide needed supplies and services to State and Local agencies during this crisis. The GSA MAS is specifically designed to address emergencies and government leaders are being encouraged to work with pre-approved vendors through the GSA MAS Disaster and Recovery Program. Purchase thresholds have even been increased to allow for greater and immediate procurement flexibility.
Be a Strategic Partner and Problem Solver.
This is not the time for cold calls. C-level government decision makers need trusted partners and proven solutions which can address their immediate needs including:
- Rapidly deploying telework and remote work for state and local agencies
- Securing this new mobile workforce and protecting existing assets
- Expanding the number of digital services to serve constituents and businesses
- Everything that directly supports the COVID-19 response
Technology is playing a critical role in the coordination and response of state and local government agencies to COVID-19. Get with your government customers. Ask them how you can help. Tell them you are a GSA MAS contract holder. And then muster your resources, creativity and solutions to be a leader during this time of crisis.
Things are moving fast. We will continue to monitor as best we can and keep you updated.
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