FAR 8.401—Definitions.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 8.401 provides the core definitions used throughout the Federal Supply Schedules / Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) subpart. It defines who may place orders or establish blanket purchase agreements under MAS contracts, what the MAS program is and where its statutory authority comes from, who the requiring agency is, what the Schedules e-Library is, and what a Special Item Number (SIN) means. These definitions matter because they determine who can use the schedule program, how agencies identify the right contract vehicles and offerings, and how ordering decisions are organized and documented. In practice, this section is the vocabulary foundation for schedule buying: if a user misunderstands these terms, they may place an order improperly, use the wrong contract source, or misidentify the scope of a contractor’s schedule offerings. The section also signals that GSA and VA schedule contracts are part of a broader statutory procurement framework, not just a catalog of products and services.
Key Rules
Ordering activity eligibility
Only an ordering activity authorized to place orders or establish BPAs against GSA MAS contracts may use the schedule program. Eligibility is not automatic; users must fall within the list of authorized ordering activities referenced by GSA.
MAS contract definition
The Multiple Award Schedule program consists of contracts awarded by GSA or VA for similar or comparable supplies or services, with more than one supplier and varying prices. This means the program is a multiple-award contracting vehicle, not a single-source contract.
Statutory basis for MAS
The MAS program rests on specific statutory authorities: 41 U.S.C. 152(3) for competitive procedures and 40 U.S.C. 501 for services for executive agencies. These authorities explain why the schedule program is a lawful procurement method for federal agencies.
Requiring agency meaning
The requiring agency is the agency that needs the supplies or services. This is the customer agency driving the requirement, as distinct from the ordering activity that actually places the order under the schedule.
Schedules e-Library source
The Schedules e-Library is the online source for GSA and VA Federal Supply Schedule contract award information. It is the reference point for identifying contract holders, awarded items, and related schedule data.
SIN definition
A Special Item Number is a grouping of generically similar, but not identical, supplies or services intended to serve the same general purpose or function. SINs help organize schedule offerings so buyers can locate and compare related items within a category.
Responsibilities
Ordering Activity
Confirm it is authorized to place orders and establish BPAs against MAS contracts, then use the schedule program only within that authority. It should also rely on schedule information sources, such as the e-Library, to identify appropriate contract holders and offerings.
Requiring Agency
Define the agency need for supplies or services and communicate the requirement clearly to the ordering activity. It must ensure the requirement is properly described so the ordering activity can match it to the correct MAS/SIN coverage.
GSA and VA
Award and maintain MAS contracts for similar or comparable supplies or services and provide contract award information through the Schedules e-Library. They also structure offerings through SINs and maintain the schedule framework used by ordering activities.
Contracting Officer / Schedule Buyer
Use the definitions correctly when determining whether an entity may order, whether a requirement fits the MAS program, and which SIN or contract source applies. The contracting officer must distinguish between the requiring agency and the ordering activity and verify schedule information before placing orders or BPAs.
Contractor / Schedule Holder
Understand how its MAS contract is categorized, including the SINs under which it offers supplies or services, and ensure its schedule information is accurate in the e-Library. The contractor must market and perform only within the scope of its awarded schedule contract.
Practical Implications
This section is foundational: if the wrong entity acts as the ordering activity, the order or BPA may be unauthorized even if the need is legitimate.
SIN selection matters because it is how buyers find comparable offerings; using the wrong SIN can lead to scope problems, poor competition, or a mismatch between the requirement and the contract.
The requiring agency and ordering activity are not always the same, so agencies should document who owns the requirement and who has authority to place the order.
The e-Library is a key verification tool; buyers should check current contract award data rather than relying on outdated marketing materials or assumptions.
Because MAS is based on specific statutory authorities, users should treat schedule buying as a structured procurement method with defined rules, not as an informal purchasing shortcut.
Official Regulatory Text
As used in this subpart- Ordering activity means an activity that is authorized to place orders, or establish blanket purchase agreements (BPA), against the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule contracts. A list of eligible ordering activities is available at http://www.gsa.gov/schedules (click "For Customers Ordering from Schedules" and then "Eligibility to Use GSA Sources"). Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) means contracts awarded by GSA or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for similar or comparable supplies, or services, established with more than one supplier, at varying prices. The primary statutory authorities for the MAS program are 41 U.S.C. 152(3) , Competitive Procedures, and 40 U.S.C. 501 , Services for Executive Agencies. Requiring agency means the agency needing the supplies or services. Schedules e-Library means the on-line source for GSA and VA Federal Supply Schedule contract award information. Schedules e-Library may be accessed at http://www.gsa.gov/elibrary . Special Item Number (SIN) means a group of generically similar (but not identical) supplies or services that are intended to serve the same general purpose or function.