GSA ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO INFORM BUYERS ON COUNTERFEIT GOODS, BUT AGENCY NEEDS HELP FROM OTHERS

The General Services Administration released a Request for Information (RFI) last week seeking input from contractors on a solution that will provide federal buyers with tools they need to identify proposals that may contain counterfeit products, financial red flags or other factors that throw into question bids that may be unrealistically low.  The intent of developing such a tool set is a good one, but education and guidance are also needed to demonstrate to federal bargain hunters that there’s often more to that low price than their negotiation prowess.  OMB should quickly follow on with their own action to educate and inform federal buyers that any deal that seems too good to be true likely is.  Too often, federal buyers who “knew” they could get 60% off the GSA contract price for an item end up with something other than what they thought they were getting. The fact that GSA is seeking to develop a tool set is a step in the right direction and contractors should make a point of commenting on the RFI, if only to reinforce the concept that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.  OMB, however, must also step in.  New rules on counterfeit equipment and secure supply chains ultimately work only if federal buyers are part of the equation.