FAR 8.402—General.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 8.402 explains the basic framework for the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program, also called the GSA Schedules Program or Multiple Award Schedule Program, and how ordering activities use it in practice. It identifies GSA as the program manager, notes that GSA may delegate schedule authority to other agencies such as VA for certain supplies, and clarifies that DoD’s separate schedule-type systems are not covered by this subpart. The section also explains the role of schedule pricelists, how ordering activities obtain them, and how they are used with this subpart to place delivery or task orders. It describes GSA’s online ordering tools—GSA Advantage! and eBuy—including when eBuy is used for fair notice and when it is required for brand-name specifications. It further addresses where to find program information and training, and it sets the rules for adding open market items to schedule BPAs or orders, including compliance with other FAR parts, fair and reasonable pricing, line-item labeling, and applicable clauses. Finally, it provides a payment-related exception for micro-purchases paid with the Governmentwide commercial purchase card, exempting those orders from SAM/Treasury Offset Program delinquent debt verification.
Key Rules
GSA manages the schedule program
The Federal Supply Schedule program is a GSA-managed acquisition vehicle for commercial supplies and services at volume-based prices. It provides indefinite-delivery contracts with stated prices for set periods, and agencies use it as a simplified ordering method.
Delegated schedule authority counts
GSA may delegate schedule responsibilities to other agencies, such as VA for medical supplies. Orders under a delegated program like VA’s Federal Supply Schedules are covered by this subpart, but DoD’s separate schedule-type systems are not.
Pricelists are required and central
Each schedule contractor must publish an Authorized Federal Supply Schedule Pricelist covering all offered supplies and services, including pricing and terms for each Special Item Number. Ordering activities may request a copy from the contractor or obtain one through GSA contact points.
Schedule publications and tools support ordering
GSA issues schedule publications and provides online tools and training resources to help ordering activities understand and use the program. These materials supplement the subpart and pricelists when placing orders.
GSA Advantage! supports ordering
GSA Advantage! is an online shopping service that lets ordering activities search, review delivery options, place orders with schedule contractors, and pay with the Governmentwide commercial purchase card. It is not the proper ordering channel for GSA Global Supply System orders, which are outside FAR subpart 8.4.
eBuy provides RFQ and notice
eBuy is GSA’s electronic RFQ system used to post requirements, obtain quotes, and issue orders electronically. Posting an RFQ on eBuy is one acceptable way to provide fair notice under the schedule ordering rules, and it is required when the order includes brand-name specifications.
Open market items may be added with conditions
An ordering activity contracting officer may add non-schedule items to a schedule BPA or order only if all applicable acquisition rules for those items are followed, the price is determined fair and reasonable, the items are clearly identified as open market items and line items are numbered correctly, and all applicable clauses are included.
Micro-purchase card exception applies
When using the Governmentwide commercial purchase card, orders at or below the micro-purchase threshold do not require SAM verification for delinquent debt subject to Treasury Offset Program collection.
Responsibilities
GSA
Direct and manage the Federal Supply Schedule program, publish schedule-related tools and publications, maintain GSA Advantage! and eBuy, and provide access points for pricelists and training resources.
Delegated agencies (e.g., VA)
Carry out delegated schedule responsibilities within the authority granted by GSA, and ensure orders placed under the delegated schedule program are handled under this subpart.
Ordering activity contracting officer
Use the schedule program correctly, obtain and rely on pricelists and schedule information, use eBuy when required, determine fair and reasonable pricing for open market items, ensure proper labeling and line-item numbering, include all applicable clauses, and follow all other applicable FAR requirements for non-schedule items.
Schedule contractor
Publish and maintain an Authorized Federal Supply Schedule Pricelist, including all offered supplies and services and the pricing and terms for each Special Item Number, and provide a copy of the pricelist to ordering activities upon request.
Ordering activity
Use the schedule program and GSA ordering tools appropriately, request or review schedule publications and pricelists as needed, and comply with the ordering procedures and notice requirements applicable to the acquisition.
DoD
Use its own schedule-type contracting systems for military items; those systems are outside the scope of this subpart.
Practical Implications
This section is the gateway to using FAR subpart 8.4 correctly: before placing an order, the buyer must know whether the item is truly on schedule, whether the ordering vehicle is GSA or a delegated schedule like VA, and whether a different system applies.
The biggest compliance risk is mixing schedule and open market items without following the extra rules. If you add non-schedule items, you must treat them like separate acquisitions for regulatory purposes, not just as convenient add-ons.
eBuy is not optional in every case, but it becomes important for fair notice and is mandatory for brand-name requirements. Missing that step can create competition and documentation problems.
Pricelists matter operationally because they are the authoritative source for what a contractor offers, along with pricing and terms tied to each SIN. Relying on outdated or incomplete pricing information is a common source of ordering errors.
For micro-purchases paid with the Governmentwide commercial purchase card, the delinquent debt check is waived, which can speed small buys. For other orders, buyers should still consider SAM and other responsibility checks as applicable under the broader acquisition rules.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) The Federal Supply Schedule program is also known as the GSA Schedules Program or the Multiple Award Schedule Program. The Federal Supply Schedule program is directed and managed by GSA and provides Federal agencies (see 8.004 ) with a simplified process for obtaining commercial supplies and commercial services at prices associated with volume buying. Indefinite delivery contracts are awarded to provide supplies and services at stated prices for given periods of time. GSA may delegate certain responsibilities to other agencies ( e.g., GSA has delegated authority to the VA to procure medical supplies under the VA Federal Supply Schedules program). Orders issued under the VA Federal Supply Schedule program are covered by this subpart. Additionally, the Department of Defense (DoD) manages similar systems of schedule-type contracting for military items; however, DoD systems are not covered by this subpart. (b) GSA schedule contracts require all schedule contractors to publish an "Authorized Federal Supply Schedule Pricelist" (pricelist). The pricelist contains all supplies and services offered by a schedule contractor. In addition, each pricelist contains the pricing and the terms and conditions pertaining to each Special Item Number that is on schedule. The schedule contractor is required to provide one copy of its pricelist to any ordering activity upon request. Also, a copy of the pricelist may be obtained from the Federal Supply Service by submitting a written e-mail request to schedules.infocenter@gsa.gov or by telephone at 1-800-488-3111. This subpart, together with the pricelists, contain necessary information for placing delivery or task orders with schedule contractors. In addition, the GSA schedule contracting office issues Federal Supply Schedules publications that contain a general overview of the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program and address pertinent topics. Ordering activities may request copies of schedules publications by contacting the Centralized Mailing List Service through the Internet at http://www.gsa.gov/cmls , submitting written e-mail requests to CMLS@gsa.gov ; or by completing GSA Form 457, FSS Publications Mailing List Application, and mailing it to the GSA Centralized Mailing List Service (7 SM), P.O. Box 6477, Fort Worth, TX 76115. Copies of GSA Form 457 may also be obtained from the above-referenced points of contact. (c) (1) GSA offers an on-line shopping service called "GSA Advantage!" through which ordering activities may place orders against Schedules. (Ordering activities may also use GSA Advantage! to place orders through GSA’s Global Supply System, a GSA wholesale supply source, formerly known as "GSA Stock" or the "Customer Supply Center." FAR subpart 8.4 is not applicable to orders placed through the GSA Global Supply System.) Ordering activities may access GSA Advantage! through the GSA Federal Supply Service Home Page ( http://www.gsa.gov/fas ) or the GSA Federal Supply Schedule Home Page at http://www.gsa.gov/schedules . (2) GSA Advantage! enables ordering activities to search specific information ( i.e., national stock number, part number, common name), review delivery options, place orders directly with Schedule contractors (except see 8.405-6 ) and pay for orders using the Governmentwide commercial purchase card. (d) (1) eBuy, GSA's electronic request for quotation (RFQ) system, is a part of a suite of online tools which complement GSA Advantage!. GSA's eBuy allows ordering activities to post requirements, obtain quotes, and issue orders electronically. Posting an RFQ on eBuy— (i) Is one medium for providing fair notice to all schedule contractors offering such supplies and services as required by, 8.405-2 , and 8.405-3 ; and (ii) Is required when an order contains brand-name specifications (see 8.405-6 ). (2) Ordering activities may access eBuy at https://www.ebuy.gsa.gov . For more information or assistance on either GSA Advantage! or eBuy, contact GSA by email at gsa.advantage@gsa.gov . (e) For more information or assistance regarding the Federal Supply Schedule Program, review the following website: http://www.gsa.gov/schedules . Additionally, for on-line training courses regarding the Schedules Program, review the following website: http://www.gsa.gov/training . (f) For administrative convenience, an ordering activity contracting officer may add items not on the Federal Supply Schedule (also referred to as open market items) to a Federal Supply Schedule blanket purchase agreement (BPA) or an individual task or delivery order only if- (1) All applicable acquisition regulations pertaining to the purchase of the items not on the Federal Supply Schedule have been followed ( e.g., publicizing ( part 5 ), competition requirements ( part 6 ), acquisition of commercial products or commercial services ( part 12 ), contracting methods ( parts 13 , 14 , and 15 ), and small business programs ( part 19 )); (2) The ordering activity contracting officer has determined the price for the items not on the Federal Supply Schedule is fair and reasonable; (3) The items are clearly labeled on the order as items not on the Federal Supply Schedule and they conform to the rules for numbering line items at subpart 4.10 ; and (4) All clauses applicable to items not on the Federal Supply Schedule are included in the order. (g) When using the Governmentwide commercial purchase card as a method of payment, orders at or below the micro-purchase threshold are exempt from verification in the System for Award Management as to whether the contractor has a delinquent debt subject to collection under the Treasury Offset Program (TOP).