GSA Construction Contracts: Complete Federal Contractor Guide 2025
Win GSA construction contracts for federal buildings. Learn PBS procurement, schedule contracts, LEED requirements, and strategies for General Services Administration projects.
GSA Overview
GSA Public Buildings Service
Annual Construction:
$10B+
Construction program
Buildings Owned:
1,500+
Federal buildings
Space Managed:
376M SF
Total portfolio
The General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service (PBS) is one of the nation's largest public real estate organizations, constructing and managing federal courthouses, office buildings, border stations, and other federal facilities. GSA offers contractors diverse opportunities from major new construction to renovation and repair work.
New Construction
- • Federal courthouses
- • Federal office buildings
- • Land ports of entry
- • Specialized facilities
Renovation & Repair
- • Major modernization
- • Building systems replacement
- • Tenant improvements
- • Prospectus projects
Types of GSA Contracts
Design-Build (D-B)
Single contract for design and construction. Preferred delivery method for many GSA projects. Best value selection typically used.
Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc)
CM selected during design, provides preconstruction services, then executes construction under GMP. Used for complex projects.
Design-Bid-Build (D-B-B)
Traditional sequential procurement. Design complete before bidding. Lowest price technically acceptable or best value.
IDIQ Task Order Contracts
Indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts for repair, alteration, and small projects. Multiple or single award.
Minor R&A
<$3.613M
Regional procurement
Prospectus
>$3.613M
Congressional approval
Major New
$100M+
Central Office
Contractor Requirements
SAM.gov Registration
Active System for Award Management registration with current information
NAICS Code Identification
236220 (Commercial Building Construction) and related codes
Bonding Capacity
Adequate bonding for project size (100% performance and payment bonds)
Security Requirements
Facility clearance may be required for sensitive projects
- Similar project type and size
- Federal construction experience preferred
- LEED certification experience
- Key personnel qualifications
- Past performance ratings (CPARS)
- 8(a) Business Development
- HUBZone Program
- SDVOSB Set-Asides
- WOSB Set-Asides
- Small Business Set-Asides
GSA Bidding Process
SAM.gov Contract Opportunities
Primary source for all GSA solicitations. Filter by agency (GSA), contracting office, and NAICS codes.
GSA eBuy
For schedule contract holders, RFQs posted through eBuy system. Requires GSA Schedule.
Regional Office Outreach
GSA has 11 regional offices. Connect with regional small business specialists for upcoming opportunities.
Technical Volume
- • Design approach
- • Project management plan
- • Safety plan
- • Quality control plan
- • Sustainability approach
Past Performance
- • Similar project examples
- • CPARS references
- • Client references
- • Schedule performance
- • Budget performance
GSA Compliance Requirements
LEED Gold Minimum
GSA requires LEED Gold certification for new construction and major renovations. Some projects require LEED Platinum.
Guiding Principles Compliance
Federal High Performance Sustainable Buildings Guiding Principles must be met.
Energy Performance
Buildings must perform 30% better than ASHRAE 90.1. Net-zero requirements increasingly common.
Standard Requirements
- • Davis-Bacon Act (prevailing wages)
- • Buy American Act compliance
- • Miller Act (bonds)
- • EEO requirements
GSA-Specific
- • P100 design standards
- • PBS design guides
- • Art in Architecture program
- • Historic preservation (if applicable)
Winning GSA Contracts
Build Federal Experience
Start with smaller contracts to build past performance. CPARS ratings are critical for larger opportunities.
Develop LEED Expertise
GSA's sustainability requirements demand strong green building capability. LEED APs on staff are valuable.
Teaming Strategies
Large GSA projects often require joint ventures or mentor-protégé arrangements for small business participation.
Regional Relationships
Build relationships with regional PBS offices. Attend industry days and meet small business specialists.
- Underestimating LEED documentation requirements
- Not understanding P100 facility standards
- Weak past performance documentation
- Missing security clearance timelines
- Not meeting small business subcontracting plan requirements
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