1) Disaster Relief and your GSA Schedule: How Businesses Can Help the Disaster Relief Efforts Through the GSA Schedule.

In the wake of the devastation left behind by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we have had a number of calls from businesses about how they may help with relief efforts. Many of these companies sell goods and services that are desperately needed right now by the government. Here are three ways in which your company can help:

1. Get online with the government. Many government acquisition officers are searching for goods and services that you may sell.

• Make sure to update your GSA Advantage! listing so that your offerings can be more easily searched.
• If you have decided to reduce pricing for purchases associated with disaster relief, post that information.
• Check eBuy at least once a day and respond to requests for quotes as quickly as possible.
• The Department of Commerce has set up the Hurricane Contracting Information Center to assist specifically small businesses to get contracting opportunities. The programs website is www.rebuildingthegulfcoast.com, but the first step is to call 888/4USADOC .

2. Update your website

• Make it as easy as possible for people to search and find the goods and services that you provide.
• On your government sales home page, highlight those goods and/or services of interest to the contract officers procuring for disaster relief.
• Reflect current off (night and weekend) hours and special toll free phone numbers at which the government can reach you.

3. Email your proposals

• If your company has an offering and can help immediately, email an unsolicited proposal to katrinasupport@gsa.gov.
• Government procurement officers are checking these proposals regularly and will contact companies as necessary.

If you have any further questions about how you or your business can assist with the disaster relief efforts, please give us a call at 301/913-5000.