Senate votes to expand access Federal Supply Schedules

The Senate has passed the Federal Supply Schedules Usage Act (S. 2868), which would make permanent programs that allow states and local governments buy goods and services from the General Services Administration’s Multiple Award Schedules program’s contracts.

GSA currently has programs that allow state and local governments, as well as the American Red Cross, to buy from the schedules. They can purchase goods and services when recovering from a presidentially declared disaster or if spending federal grant money in response to a public health emergency. The bill would statutorily expand those authorities to allow governments to buy from the schedules to prepare for an oncoming disaster and give the American Red Cross permission to use the schedules.

The bill now goes to the House for its consideration.