When playing by the GSA rules means an invitation to a No Bid response on a GSA RFQ

This GSA inquiry, submitted today was long overdue and a perfect subject for my new blog.

One of our clients was sent a GSA RFQ yesterday for 60 UPS Backup Devices from APC Sales and Service by the Dept of Labor.  Naturally, my technically compliant client (in the minority) of the other 75 APC GSA schedule offerors is unable to bid, as their CO correctly and astutely required the attached language for each of their APC GSA offerings (i.e. Part # NBAC0105 - ABC NetBolz - 48V Power Supply DC to DC - Please note that APC products cannot be sold as individual items.  They must be sold in conjunction with the IT equipment that these products support).

I requested that the GSA Schedule 70 Center provide notice to me when GSA administrative remedies or corrective guidance will be issued to the CO's of the other APC resellers so that they will be held to the same standard as my client.

Also, I advised the IT Data Center that while I recognize that they've made corrective attempts to ensure that the IT products are correctly positioned solely on Schedule 70 vs. Schedule 75, APC is offered by three firms on Schedule 75 (Office Supplies), which has no excluded restriction for said items*.

* Requirement from Schedule 70 Solicitation.  NOTE:  The following ARE EXCLUDED from the Information Technology Schedule:  ii:  Electrical Equipment - e.g., Uninterruptible Power Supplies, Computer Back-Up Power Systems, Surge Suppressers, Power Line Conditioners, Surge Absorbers, etc.  may be offer under this solicitation ONLY in conjunction with the IT equipment these devices support.