FAR Part 38: Federal Supply Schedule Contracting

In plain English

FAR Part 38 covers the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program, which provides a simplified process for federal agencies to buy commercial supplies and services at volume discount prices. It explains how GSA manages the program, how other agencies like VA can be delegated authority, and what coordination is required for schedule changes. For contractors, this part matters because it describes how to get on schedule and how agencies order from it.

Key rules

• The FSS program is directed and managed by GSA, but GSA may delegate authority to other agencies, such as VA for medical supplies. (38.000)
• The FSS program uses indefinite-delivery contracts awarded through competitive procedures to provide commercial supplies and services at stated prices for given periods and geographic areas.
• Each schedule identifies agencies that must use the contracts as primary sources of supply; other agencies may also place orders and contractors are encouraged to accept them.
• GSA awards most FSS contracts but may authorize other agencies to award schedule contracts and publish schedules, such as VA for certain medical and nonperishable subsistence items.
• When establishing schedules, GSA or a delegated agency must comply with statutory and regulatory requirements, including Parts 5, 6, and 19, at the acquisition planning stage before issuing the schedule solicitation.
• Contracting officers responsible for awarding FSS contracts must coordinate with and obtain approval from GSA's Federal Supply Service before establishing new schedules, discontinuing existing ones, changing scope or coverage, or adding/deleting special item numbers or national stock numbers.
• Requests for coordination should be sent to GSA's Federal Supply Service, Office of Acquisition, in Washington, DC.

Who does what

In practice

• If you want to sell commercial supplies or services to many federal agencies, getting on an FSS contract can be a key way to do so, as agencies use these schedules as primary sources.
• Once on schedule, you may receive orders from agencies that are not required to use the schedule, and you are encouraged to accept them.
• Changes to schedules, such as adding new items or changing coverage, require GSA approval, so contractors should be aware that schedule modifications are not automatic.

Common pitfalls

• Assuming that all federal agencies must use FSS contracts: only agencies identified in the schedule as mandatory users are required to do so; others may order but are not obligated.
• Thinking that DoD's similar schedule system is part of the FSS program: the text explicitly states that DoD systems are not part of the Federal Supply Schedule program.
• Believing that FAR Parts 5, 6, and 19 apply to orders placed under FSS contracts: the text says they generally do not apply to orders and BPAs, except as noted in 8.404 and 8.405-5.

Written by AI from this part's codified text (2026-10-04); cited sections are checked against the part. A guide, not legal advice: the regulation text, the solicitation and your contract rule.