[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71653-71654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27951]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Multiple Award Schedule Advisory Panel; Notification of Public 
Advisory Panel Meetings

AGENCY: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award 
Schedule Advisory Panel (MAS Panel), a Federal Advisory Committee, will 
hold a public meeting on the following date: Monday, December 8, 2008. 
GSA utilizes the MAS program to establish long-term Governmentwide 
contracts with responsible firms to provide Federal, State, and local 
government customers with access to a wide variety of commercial 
supplies (products) and services.
    The MAS Panel was established to develop advice and recommendations 
on MAS program pricing policies, provisions, and procedures in the 
context of current commercial pricing practices. The Panel will be 
developing recommendations for MAS program pricing provisions for the 
acquisition of (1) professional services; (2) products; (3) total 
solutions which consist of professional services and products; and (4) 
non professional services. In developing the recommendations, the Panel 
will, at a minimum, address these 5 questions for each of the 4 types 
of acquisitions envisioned above: (1) Where does competition take 
place?; (2) If competition takes place primarily at the task/delivery 
order level, does a fair and reasonable price determination at the MAS 
contract level really matter?; (3) If the Panel consensus is that 
competition is at the task order level, are the methods that GSA uses 
to determine fair and reasonable prices and maintain the price/discount 
relationship with the basis of award customer(s) adequate?; (4) If the 
current policy is not adequate, what are the recommendations to improve 
the policy/guidance; and (5) If fair and reasonable price determination 
at the MAS contract level is not beneficial and the fair and reasonable 
price determination is to be determined only at the task/delivery order 
level, then what is the GSA role?
    To that end, the Panel would like to hear from the many 
stakeholders of the MAS program. The MAS program stakeholders include, 
but not limited to, ordering agency contracting officers, GSA 
contracting officers, schedule contract holders, Congress, program

[[Page 71654]]

managers, General Accountability Office, and Federal agency Inspector 
General Offices. The panel is particularly interested in stakeholder 
views as to how the issues discussed above may relate differently to 
the purchase of goods, services, or goods and services that are 
configured to propose an integrated solution to an agency's needs. 
Written comments may be submitted at any time in accordance with the 
guidance below.
    The meeting will be held at U.S. General Services Administration, 
Federal Acquisition Service, 2200 Crystal Drive, Room L1301, Arlington, 
VA 22202. The location is within walking distance of the Crystal City 
metro stop. The meeting start time is 9:00 a.m., and will adjourn no 
later than 5:00 p.m.
    For presentations before the Panel, the following guidance is 
provided:
    Oral comments: The Panel will no longer entertain oral 
presentations.
    Written Comments: Written comments must be received ten (10) 
business days prior to the meeting date so that the comments may be 
provided to the Panel for their consideration prior to the meeting. 
Comments should be supplied to Ms. Brooks at the address/contact 
information noted below in the following format: one hard copy with 
original signature and one electronic copy via email in Microsoft Word.
    Subsequent meeting dates, locations, and times will be published at 
least 15 days prior to the meeting date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information on the Panel meetings, 
agendas, and other information can be obtained at www.gsa.gov/masadvisorypanel or you may contact Ms. Pat Brooks, Designated Federal 
Officer, Multiple Award Schedule Advisory Panel, U.S. General Services 
Administration, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 911, Arlington, VA 22205; 
telephone 703 605-3406, Fax 703 605-3454; or via email at 
[email protected].

 AVAILABILITY OF MATERIALS: All meeting materials, including meeting 
agendas, handouts, public comments, and meeting minutes will be posted 
on the MAS Panel website at www.gsa.gov/masadvisorypanel or 
www.gsa.gov/masap.
    MEETING ACCESS: Individuals requiring special accommodations at any 
of these meetings should contact Ms. Brooks at least ten (10) business 
days prior to the meeting date so that appropriate arrangements can be 
made.

    Dated: November 19, 2008
David A. Drabkin,
Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, Office of the Chief Acquisition 
Officer, General Services Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-27951 Filed 11-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-S