More info on our state and local programs

On January 21, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 247d. On March 13, 2020, the President declared the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency declaration for all states, tribes, and territories, pursuant to section 501 (b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207.

The U.S. General Services Administration is working hand-in-hand with both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support federal, state, and local communities.

Below is an outline of programs available to state and local partners that are eligible for direct access to our sources. 

Multiple Award Schedule purchasing programs

Eligible state and local entities have access to MAS under the following programs:

• Disaster Purchasing: Access to all MAS available offerings — consolidated MAS and all legacy schedules — for emergency or disaster preparation, emergency or disaster response, or major disaster recovery in support of a Stafford Act declaration from the President.
• Public Health Emergencies: Access to all offerings on Schedule — consolidated MAS and all legacy schedules — when expending federal grant funds in response to Public Health Emergencies declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Services Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 247d.
• Cooperative Purchasing: Access to information technology and law enforcement and security solutions, identified by Special Item Number in support of everyday missions.
• 1122 Program: Access to specific SINs and Department of Defense items to purchase products in support of emergency response and homeland security. Most limiting program; it requires a designated State Point of Contact and has limited items available.

Rules governing access to MAS

Access to the consolidated MAS and legacy schedules is governed by federal law and regulations. Acceptance of orders by state or local governments is voluntary. Rules for purchasing are set by the state and local entity and the agency providing the funding. We mandate ordering language on orders placed under MAS, but do not establish procurement or competitive requirements or restrictions, for examples, mandates for set asides, geographic restrictions, competition level, or dictate how the state and local entities execute a purchase.

We cannot speak to requirements imposed by other federal agencies. For requirements related to grant funding, the agency that provides the funding issues the procurement rules. In many cases, it will be FEMA or HHS.

Best practices

Coordinate with the funding agencies and understand the requirements and restrictions in place if you are spending federal grant money.

Use our resources to support your needs. Here are some tips for using Schedules.

Do your market research

Use our eTools eLibrary and GSA Advantage to find the goods and services you need for support. Use the Disaster Relief and Pandemic Products section of GSA Advantage to quickly find items. Look for the Cooperative Purchasing and Disaster Purchasing icons for easy identification of items covered under these programs. 

Use eBuy to post requests for information to find suppliers that can fulfill your requirements.

Confirm supply availability before ordering

Prior to placing orders through GSA Advantage or any other method, you should contact contractors directly to confirm product availability. Demand is high and the supply levels are shifting faster than contractors can update information in online systems. Use of our eTools to purchase is not mandatory. Buyers may execute purchases in any manner that complies with their state and local policies and regulations.

Contractor contact information, including phone number and email, is located on the GSA Advantage contractor information page. To access the contractor information page, navigate to the product details from the search results and click on the contractor name underneath the product image. You can access search categories that include COVID-19 related products under GSA Advantage’s Disaster Relief and Pandemic Products aisle.

Contact a Customer Service Director near you for support navigating our eTools or MAS offerings.

Resources and references

• GSA eLibrary: Find information on current suppliers and available items and services from MAS, our technology contracts, and more.
• GSA Advantage: Shop and order from a variety of products and services sourced from thousands of contractors.
• GSA eBuy: Post requirements and receive contractor quotations for a wide range of products and services.

MAS categories

1. Facilities
2. Furniture and Furnishings
3. Human Capital
4. Industrial Products and Services
5. Information Technology
6. Miscellaneous
7. Professional Services
8. Office Management
9. Scientific Management and Solutions
10. Security and Protection
11. Transportation and Logistics
12. Travel

Examples of goods and services available under MAS:

• Tents for remote medical centers
• Hospital beds
• Cleaning supplies
• Telework solutions

Program rules and definitions

Who qualifies as a state and local government entity?

Per 40 U.S.C § 502(c), “the term, ‘State or local government’ includes any State, local, regional, or tribal government, or any instrumentality thereof (including any local educational agency or institution of higher education).”

Local education agencies and institutions of higher education include, but are not limited to, the following types of entities:

• Local elementary, middle, and high schools operated by public school boards
• Public colleges, community colleges, technical colleges
• Public universities that provide at least a two-year program that offers a degree or offers credit toward such a degree

Not sure if you are eligible? Review our eligibility resources. If after review, you are still unsure of your eligibility, submit an eligibility request to gsaeligibilitydetermination@gsa.gov. 

Ordering guidelines

State and local buyers must follow the procurement laws and regulations, including competition rules, geographic requirements, and socioeconomic requirements dictated by their state and local procurement regulations and policies. If you are using federal grant funding for your purchase, you must follow the guidelines and requirements set forth by the granting agency.

Buyers may add additional terms and conditions to MAS purchases as long as the terms and conditions do not conflict with the MAS terms and conditions. 

FEMA guidance related to state and local schedule purchasing

FEMA issued the below guidance related to purchasing under the Disaster Purchasing program.

This information sheet may not take into account any exceptions FEMA is making under COVID-19 declarations. State and local entities will need to connect with FEMA, HHS, etc., to understand what requirements, if any, are waived.

FEMA Public Assistance Grant Guidance allows for purchasing from Federal Supply Schedules in support of major disasters. https://www.fema.gov/procurement-disaster-assistance-team