Last month, we discussed Information Technology (IT) Schedule 70, one of the largest contract vehicles administered by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). GSA now is evaluating whether Schedule 70 should be made more accessible to certain small contractors, new IT providers, and other, similarly situated firms. Presently, an offeror that responds to the Schedule 70 solicitation—available for download here—must demonstrate at least two (2) years of prior experience providing such products and services. GSA recognizes, however, that this requirement—among others—can be “particularly problematic for small businesses” and is “a barrier for new IT companies.” Accordingly, GSA has issued a new Request for Information (RFI), suggesting changes to the Schedule 70 solicitation that are intended to eliminate the 2-year experience requirement. GSA also is requesting feedback on the following questions:

  1. What would be a benefit to removing the 2-year experience requirement? Or, a concern?
  2. Do any other requirements, processes, or barriers interfere with obtaining a Schedule 70 contract?
  3. Even after the successful receipt of a Schedule 70 award, do any other requirements, processes, or barriers make it difficult to work with the government?

Responses to the RFI are due by 4:00 P.M. EST on September 18, 2015, and should be submitted via e-mail to S70LoweringBarriers@gsa.com.

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Photo of Frederic Levy Frederic Levy

Fred Levy is senior counsel in the firm’s Government Contracts and White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Groups. He is a leading suspension and debarment lawyer, focusing his practice on the resolution of complex compliance and ethics issues. He has successfully represented numerous…

Fred Levy is senior counsel in the firm’s Government Contracts and White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Groups. He is a leading suspension and debarment lawyer, focusing his practice on the resolution of complex compliance and ethics issues. He has successfully represented numerous high-profile corporations and individuals under investigation by the government in civil and criminal matters, including False Claims Act cases, and in suspension and debarment proceedings to ensure their continued eligibility to participate in federal programs. He has also conducted numerous internal investigations on behalf of corporate clients and advises corporations on voluntary or mandatory disclosures to federal agencies. Fred regularly counsels clients on government contract performance issues, claims and terminations, and litigates matters before the boards of contract appeals and in the Federal Circuit.

Related to his work involving program fraud, Fred counsels clients in the area of contractor “responsibility.” He is involved in the development and implementation of contractor ethics and compliance programs that meet the standards of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, and Sarbanes-Oxley, and he regularly conducts ethics and compliance training.

Fred is a principal editor of Guide to the Mandatory Disclosure Rule, and of The Practitioner’s Guide to Suspension and Debarment, 4th Edition. He is a vice-chair of the Debarment and Suspension Committee of the ABA Public Contract Law Section, and a former co-chair of that committee and of the Procurement Fraud Committee. He is a graduate of Columbia College and Columbia Law School.