IT Schedule 70 – Small Business (ITS-SB)
IT Schedule 70 – Small Business (ITS-SB) was a government contract vehicle that allowed qualified small businesses to sell commercial information technology products and services directly to government buyers through the GSA Schedule program. It has since been consolidated into the broader GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program, though small business participation remains a priority .
What Is IT Schedule 70 – Small Business?
IT Schedule 70 – Small Business (ITS-SB) is a government contract vehicle that allows qualified small businesses to sell commercial information technology products and services directly to government buyers through the GSA Schedule program [citation:2]. It was historically reserved exclusively for small businesses that meet Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards, covering commercial IT products, services, and solutions.
ITS-SB has been consolidated into the modern GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program, but the small business designation remains relevant and actively used by government buyers seeking pre-vetted small business vendors [citation:2][citation:6]. The GSA MAS program consolidates and streamlines the legacy 24 Schedules into a single vehicle for commercial products, services, and solutions [citation:6].
Key Characteristics
Reserved exclusively for small businesses that meet SBA size standards
Covers commercial IT products, services, and solutions
Part of the broader GSA Multiple Award Schedule environment
Designed to streamline IT procurement for government agencies
Supports long-term contracting with recurring sales opportunities
How It Works in Government Contracting
ITS-SB appears during the acquisition phase of the procurement lifecycle when agencies need commercial IT solutions. It is used by federal, state, and local government buyers seeking pre-vetted small business vendors [citation:2].
Set-Asides Under MAS: Ordering activities may set aside orders or Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for any socioeconomic concerns identified in FAR 19.000(a)(3). When setting aside an order, agencies must include a clear statement in their request for quote indicating that quotes will only be accepted from contractors in the specified socioeconomic category [citation:2].
Socioeconomic Credit: Agencies receive socioeconomic credit for order awards made to any socioeconomic concern, whether or not the order was set aside. For purposes of reporting and obtaining agency credit, agencies may receive small business credit only if the awarded contractor meets the small business size standard under the NAICS code corresponding to the work performed [citation:2].
Alternatives to Set-Asides: Agencies may also utilize small business by designating subcontracting to small businesses as a primary evaluation factor, or consider socioeconomic status as an evaluation factor for source selection [citation:2].
Regulatory Framework
ITS-SB operates under the GSA Schedule program administered by the General Services Administration. Small business eligibility is defined by the Small Business Administration through size standards [citation:4]. Relevant guidance is found in FAR Part 19, which governs small business programs within federal procurement [citation:3].
FAR Part 19 implements the acquisition-related sections of the Small Business Act and covers setting acquisitions aside for exclusive competitive participation by small business and other socioeconomic categories [citation:3]
SBA size standards define whether a business entity is small and eligible for government programs and preferences reserved for 'small business' concerns [citation:4]
The GSA MAS program has lowered barriers to entry for new and existing Schedule holders under the consolidated structure [citation:6]
Why It Matters for Contractors
Business implications: ITS-SB provides small businesses with direct access to government buyers through a streamlined contracting vehicle. The GSA MAS program is a major federal contracting vehicle that gives businesses access to long-term, government-wide contracts [citation:5].
Compliance impact: Contractors must maintain compliance with pricing, reporting, and size standards. GSA rates need to be competitive and compliant—if you don't understand how GSA views your pricing, you could end up with rates that are unworkable or flagged during an audit [citation:9].
Strategic importance: Holding a schedule contract can improve credibility and visibility in the federal marketplace. Contracts can have long potential durations—for example, one contractor's MAS contract shows an ultimate end date of March 20, 2036 [citation:8].
Risk considerations: Failure to comply with pricing, reporting, or size standards can result in contract cancellation or removal from the schedule. Transactional Data Reporting (TDR) is an essential compliance requirement for doing business with GSA [citation:9].
Common Misconceptions
ITS-SB contracts are automatically awarded work.
Holding a schedule contract provides access to government buyers but does not guarantee orders. Contractors must still market their offerings and compete for task orders and BPAs.
The application process is quick or guaranteed approval.
Qualifying and applying for a schedule requires time, resources, and a clear understanding of federal procurement rules. The process involves demonstrating fair pricing, financial stability, and technical capability [citation:5].
Only federal agencies can use the schedule.
Federal, state, and local government buyers may place orders through GSA Schedules, expanding the potential customer base [citation:2].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IT Schedule 70 and ITS-SB?
ITS-SB was historically limited to small businesses, while IT Schedule 70 included businesses of all sizes. Both have been consolidated into the modern GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program, but small business designations remain active and agencies can set aside orders for small business participants [citation:2][citation:6].
Who can use ITS-SB contracts?
Federal, state, and local government agencies can place orders through the schedule. Ordering activities may set aside orders for socioeconomic concerns at their discretion [citation:2].
What types of services are allowed?
Commercial IT services such as cybersecurity, cloud services, software development, and IT consulting are covered under the schedule.
Is ITS-SB still active today?
ITS-SB has been consolidated into the modern GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program, but the small business designation remains relevant and actively used. The MAS program consolidated 24 legacy Schedules into a single vehicle for commercial products, services, and solutions [citation:6].
How can businesses determine if a GSA Schedule is right for them?
The SBA offers webinars through APEX Accelerators to help businesses evaluate whether a GSA Schedule aligns with their federal sales goals and understand the eligibility requirements and application process [citation:5].
Related Government Contracting Topics
GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS): A consolidated contracting vehicle for commercial products and services that replaced the legacy 24 Schedules, creating a single streamlined program [citation:6].
FAR Part 19: Federal regulations governing small business programs, including setting aside acquisitions for small business participants and implementing the Small Business Act [citation:3].
Small Business Set-Asides: Acquisitions restricted to small business competition, which may be implemented at the order level under MAS contracts [citation:2].
SBA Size Standards: Criteria used to determine small business eligibility, defined for types of economic activity under NAICS codes [citation:4].
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs): Simplified ordering method under existing schedule contracts that agencies may establish for recurring needs [citation:2].
Strategic Importance
IT Schedule 70 – Small Business represents a significant opportunity for qualified small businesses to access the federal marketplace through a streamlined, pre-competed contract vehicle. While the program has evolved into the consolidated GSA Multiple Award Schedule, the ability for agencies to set aside orders for small business participants remains a powerful tool for achieving federal contracting goals [citation:2].
For contractors, success requires understanding the application process, maintaining compliance with pricing and reporting requirements, and actively marketing their offerings to government buyers. The GSA MAS program offers long-term contract potential—with contracts lasting up to 20 years—and access to a broad federal customer base [citation:8]. Businesses considering this path should carefully evaluate their readiness through resources like APEX Accelerator webinars and develop a clear federal sales strategy before pursuing a schedule contract [citation:5].