Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) on GSA Schedules
A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is a simplified acquisition mechanism that allows an ordering agency to establish a recurring purchasing arrangement with one or more GSA Schedule contractors. BPAs streamline repetitive purchases by pre-negotiating terms, eliminating the need to issue individual orders and compete them each time. For GSA contractors, BPAs represent an opportunity to secure a predictable revenue channel with a specific agency.
Single-Award vs. Multiple-Award BPAs
A single-award BPA establishes an exclusive arrangement with one Schedule contractor for a specific category of goods or services. A multiple-award BPA establishes agreements with several Schedule holders, and orders are then competed among BPA holders. For orders exceeding $25,000 under a multiple-award BPA, the agency must provide each BPA holder a fair opportunity to submit a quote. Single-award BPAs over $100 million require special justification and higher-level approvals.
How BPAs Are Established
An agency may establish a BPA directly with a Schedule contractor without a separate competition, provided the BPA's scope falls within the Schedule contract's SINs and pricing. The agency issues a Request for Quote (RFQ) through eBuy or directly to selected Schedule contractors, evaluates the responses, and executes a BPA with the selected contractor(s). The BPA references your GSA Schedule contract number and sets any BPA-specific terms — discounts beyond your Schedule pricing, preferred delivery arrangements, or specific personnel requirements.
| BPA Type | Competition Required | Duration Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Single-award BPA | At BPA establishment | 5 years (max) |
| Multiple-award BPA | At BPA + call level | 5 years (max) |
| BPA call (order) | Based on BPA type | Within BPA period |
BPA Discounts and Your Schedule Contract
BPA pricing is typically at or below your Schedule contract pricing — agencies negotiate BPA-specific discounts as an incentive for the volume commitment implied by the BPA relationship. These discounts apply only to orders placed under the BPA and do not automatically trigger the Price Reduction Clause obligations unless the BPA customer would qualify as your Most Favored Customer. Review the Price Reduction Clause implications before agreeing to significant BPA discounts.