Competitor and price analysis

The single most important question about the MAS is whether your firm can compete on price with the current holders in your category. The answer is public. Here is how to find it.

1. GSA CALC (labor rate tool)

If you sell labor and are unsure what rates to expect, start with the Contract-Awarded Labor Category (CALC) tool at buy.gsa.gov/pricing. It searches awarded schedule data for average hourly rates by education, experience, worksite, business size, and schedule.

How to use it: compare your current rates to the results. If you fall within about one standard deviation of the market range, you are generally in a competitive position. Far outside it, you either need to rethink pricing or specialize in something that justifies the premium.

2. GSA eLibrary

At gsaelibrary.gsa.gov you can read competitors' actual price lists.

1. If you know a competitor

   Search by company name and open their contract and price list.

2. If you do not

   Find the schedule your firm would sit on, narrow to the category or SIN, then browse the contractors and their price lists.

3. GSA Advantage!

For products, search the item name on gsaadvantage.gov and see who else sells it and at what price. Note how listings are described, since strong listings are often what wins the click.