How much does it cost to get on a GSA Schedule?

Getting on a GSA Schedule requires significant time and effort investment, though GSA charges no application fee: **Upfront costs:** - GSA application fee: $0 (no government fee) - Internal labor: 100-500+ hours over 3-6 months - Consultant fees (optional): $15,000-$30,000+ - Financial statement preparation: Varies - Legal review: $2,000-$5,000+ **Internal effort includes:** - Gathering required documentation - Developing commercial sales practices - Preparing pricing and disclosures - Writing technical proposal narratives - Compiling past performance - Completing representations and certifications **Ongoing costs once awarded:** - Industrial Funding Fee (IFF): 0.75% of sales - System access and training time - Contract administration/compliance - Annual sales reporting - Periodic audits preparation - Option year modifications **Total investment considerations:** - Small companies: $10,000-$30,000 in internal costs - Larger companies: $30,000-$100,000+ for comprehensive coverage - Consultants may accelerate process and improve quality - ROI depends on federal sales success **Cost-reduction strategies:** - Use GSA free resources and training - Start with one SIN, expand later - Leverage existing documentation - Allow adequate time (reduces rush costs) **Break-even analysis:** - Calculate total investment - Estimate potential federal sales - Factor in IFF and compliance costs - Most companies see ROI within 2-3 years if actively pursuing opportunities