There are major changes happening at a higher level regarding helping the government buy smarter. The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) new policy memo on Category Management makes it an integral part of the government for the foreseeable future. It’s a 30-page document which provides detailed instructions/requirements for agencies to move in this direction regarding all future purchasing to increase efficiency, reduce costs, minimize redundancies and deliver more value.

What does this mean to you?

Your GSA Schedule contract just increased in value! In a nutshell, category management includes a classification system of “Best In Class” (BIC) contract vehicles which agencies will be directed to use for all product/service procurements. The GSA Schedules program is already approved as a Tier 2 BIC contract vehicle. This gives extra credibility and weighted value to this procurement vehicle. When a contracting officer is presented with a choice of a multitude of vehicles and they are now mandated to use a BIC vehicle – your GSA contract becomes more relevant as the chosen path.

OMB is working to educate agencies and your customers on this new policy for making purchases. Your sales team should use the slip sheet below with customers to make them aware of this initiative and to spread the word. It’s another way to promote your GSA Schedule contract as the preferred choice for government customers to buy from you.