GSA MAS · Federal Travel Management
GSA MAS — Travel
The Travel Large Category manages the federal government's vast travel needs, including negotiated commercial air fares (City Pair Program), travel management services, temporary lodging, and fleet payment solutions. As one of the largest employer-of-choice travel programs in the world, the federal travel market is highly specialized with strict compliance requirements under GSA and Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) rules.
$1B+
Annual Spend
20 Years
Contract Term
$25,000
Min. Sales (24 mo.)
Key Special Item Numbers (SINs), GSA MAS — Travel
The primary SINs under the GSA MAS — Travel Large Category that define which eBuy opportunities you can access.
Lodging / Temporary Housing
526 41Hotels, extended stay, and federal per diem compliant lodging
Travel Agent Services
526 43Full-service travel management companies (TMCs) for federal travel
Travel Consulting
526 45Travel policy advisory, cost reduction analysis, and travel management consulting
Eligibility & Application Requirements
What you need to qualify to hold a GSA GSA MAS — Travel Schedule contract.
- ✓Travel Management Companies (TMCs) must have GDS access and federal travel booking capability
- ✓Lodging providers must be able to offer government per diem rates registered in GSA's lodging programs
- ✓Demonstrated SATO/commercial travel management experience for TMC SIN
- ✓Compliance with Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) requirements
Key Facts, GSA MAS — Travel Schedule
Important market intelligence for the GSA MAS — Travel Large Category.
- 1The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) governs all federal employee travel
- 2GSA's City Pair Program covers negotiated airfares for federal agencies
- 3Per diem rates set by GSA determine maximum lodging and meal reimbursements
- 4ETS (Electronic Travel System) integrations are required for many travel management contracts
Top Agency Buyers, GSA MAS — Travel Schedule
Federal agencies that most actively purchase through the GSA GSA MAS — Travel Large Category. Knowing your buyers drives effective eBuy and direct marketing strategies.
Department of Defense (DoD)
DoD generates the largest volume of federal TDY travel, with military and civilian personnel conducting hundreds of thousands of trips annually that require TMC services, lodging, and travel management.
Department of State
State Department's global diplomatic operations generate extensive international travel management needs, including embassy TDY travel and relocation of Foreign Service Officers.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
DHS law enforcement and border security personnel generate high TDY travel volumes, and the agency uses TMC and lodging services extensively through the Travel schedule.
FBI and Department of Justice
FBI agents and DoJ attorneys travel frequently for investigations and litigation, creating consistent demand for TMC services and per-diem-complaint lodging.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
SSA administrative travel for field examiners and headquarters staff generates recurring lodging and travel management demand under the schedule.
How to Get on the GSA MAS — Travel Schedule
Step-by-step process to apply for and win a GSA GSA MAS — Travel Large Category schedule contract.
- 1Identify the Travel SINs matching your services: TMC (526 43), lodging/temporary housing (526 41), or travel consulting (526 45).
- 2For TMC SINs, document GDS (Global Distribution System) access, federal booking capability, and experience managing federal travel under FTR regulations.
- 3For lodging SINs, prepare property rate documentation aligned to GSA per diem rates and demonstrate FedRooms compliance eligibility.
- 4Submit through GSA eOffer with past performance references in federal travel management, financial responsibility documentation, and FTR compliance certifications.
- 5After award, register your lodging property in GSA FedRooms or your TMC services in the ETS2 ecosystem to maximize federal buyer visibility.
Ongoing Compliance, GSA MAS — Travel Schedule
Key compliance obligations for GSA GSA MAS — Travel schedule holders throughout their contract period.
- ✓Meet the $25,000 minimum sales requirement every 24 months; report all sales quarterly via 72A with IFF remittance.
- ✓Comply with Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) requirements for all services rendered under the schedule, TMCs must advise federal travelers on FTR-compliant options.
- ✓For lodging properties, maintain GSA FedRooms program standards including per diem rate compliance and traveler protection policies (free cancellation, no early departure fees).
- ✓TMC holders must maintain ETS2 integrations (Concur Government Edition or CWT Sato) and comply with mandatory use policies for agencies on those platforms.
- ✓Honor the Price Reductions Clause and keep GSA Advantage lodging rates current with any commercial rate changes.
Tips for Winning GSA MAS — Travel Schedule Orders
Practical strategies for maximizing revenue through your GSA MAS — Travel GSA Schedule.
- 1Register in the GSA FedRooms program to make your lodging property directly accessible to federal travelers.
- 2Extended stay lodging and temporary housing services are in high demand for agencies with TDY personnel needs.
- 3Understand the ETS2 (E-Gov Travel Service 2) system requirements, most large TMC contracts must integrate with the government's travel booking system.
- 4GSA per diem rates are updated annually, ensure your lodging rates comply with current per diem ceilings.
SamSearch for GSA Schedule Holders
Maximize Revenue from Your GSA MAS — Travel Schedule
SamSearch monitors GSA eBuy and SAM.gov in real time, surfacing the right task order opportunities under your SINs, the moment they drop. Get alerts, track agency spending, and never miss a relevant opportunity.
- ✓Real-time alerts for eBuy RFQs matching your SINs
- ✓Agency spending intelligence tailored to your schedule
- ✓Recompete tracking on expiring MAS task orders
- ✓AI-powered opportunity scoring
Frequently Asked Questions, GSA GSA MAS — Travel Schedule
Common questions about the GSA Multiple Award Schedule GSA MAS — Travel Large Category, including SINs, eligibility, compliance, and sales strategies.