GSA Office Supplies Procurement: How the VA Sourced Hard-to-Find Supplies On Time

RESULTS AT A GLANCE

Metric	Before	With On Time Supplies
Hard-to-find GSA items	~Not stocked by major distributors	Sourced and confirmed available
Inventory accuracy	Uncertain across GSA vendors	Real-time, verified by phone
Ordering support	Complex FMP layers	One-on-one phone ordering
Delivery reliability	Inconsistent fulfillment	On-time, as-purchased

The Need: Reliable Supply for a Vital Federal Mission

The Department of Veterans Affairs carries a sacred mission: to serve and honor America's military veterans. From health benefits to service pensions, the VA brings several administrations under one federal authority to support the men and women who have sacrificed in service to the United States.

As of 2019, the VA counted roughly 19 million living American veterans, a population that is large and changing quickly, trending younger with a sharply rising share of female veterans. Caring for that group means the VA cannot afford to fall short, and neither can its suppliers. The people at the VA go above and beyond for those in their care, so they need vendors who are equally reliable and capable. That is not as simple as it sounds.

The Challenge: Navigating GSA Approval and the Federal Marketplace

As a federal agency, the VA must purchase supplies through vendors approved by the General Services Administration (GSA). GSA approval signals that a vendor meets the legal and regulatory requirements for doing business with the U.S. government, covering everything from company structure and ownership to the product brands offered and the environmental responsibility of the vendor's operations.

That requirement adds real complexity to the search for suppliers. Even something as routine as finding alternate paper towels for a facility that cannot use standard paper towels became a logistical challenge for VA purchasers like Aeneas Goff.

“None of our major distributors had what I needed. Beyond that, I was always worried about the hoops you have to go through when ordering through GSA companies.”

To speed up government purchasing, the GSA created its Federal Marketplace (FMP) Strategy, a set of initiatives designed to streamline both agency buying and supplier selling. A single marketplace of pre-approved vendors was designed to ease the search burden on agencies and lower the barrier for vendors to start doing business with the federal government.

Even with the move to the FMP, purchasers like Mr. Goff still had to work through extra layers to get business done. He was caught inside a purchasing system that was modernizing but still unwieldy, and stuck with a list of approved “suppliers” who often could not actually supply what his facilities needed. With the weight of the VA's mission always in mind, he needed a vendor that could both navigate the federal system and guarantee a reliable stock of essential items.

The Solution: A GSA-Approved Supplier That Works Inside and Outside the FMP

On Time Supplies is a GSA-approved supplier of a wide range of office and cleaning supplies, as well as other items that are not always easy to find. Long-standing partnerships with key vendors help keep more in stock, more often, one of the biggest advantages for every client, government or otherwise.

A specific benefit for government customers is a seamless fit with their requirements. On Time Supplies is GSA-approved to do business with federal agencies and can work both inside and outside the FMP. So when someone shared the link with Mr. Goff, he found it simple to dive in and locate what he needed, including specialized and eco-conscious products:

• Hard-to-source paper towels, tissues, and dispensers, including paper-alternate options
• GSA-rate Skilcraft government pens and office supplies
• Commercial disinfectants and sanitizers for facility hygiene
• Compliance-friendly green, earth-friendly office supplies that meet federal sustainability criteria

“I'm someone who likes to talk on the phone, and I was happy that On Time Supplies made that easy,” Mr. Goff said. He was especially glad when one-on-one human contact confirmed that the inventory shown on the site was accurate and that On Time Supplies carried everything his facilities required.

“It's been easy to stick with On Time Supplies since. I like that I can find what I'm looking for, the inventory is in real time, and they carry the things I need. It's as simple as that.”

The Success: Reassurance Through Reliable, GSA-Compliant Fulfillment

Between a shopping experience built for government purchasers and GSA-approved transactions that stay simple and straightforward, On Time Supplies became a real relief for Mr. Goff.

“With too many other suppliers, you never know if you're going to get what you purchased. But with On Time Supplies, I always feel reassured that I'm going to get what I purchased, and get it in a timely manner.”

Reassured is the operative word. Given how important the VA's mission is, and how often agencies struggle with other GSA-approved vendors, it matters that Mr. Goff and his colleagues can feel confident their orders are in good hands. That confidence comes from an extra level of support for customers who prefer to call in their orders and do business over the phone. Helping the Department of Veterans Affairs serve and honor the people who have carried this nation's flag is an honor in itself.

With a deep supply network, genuine human support, and the ability to meet GSA and other federal regulations, On Time Supplies helps government agencies get more done with less stress and at a lower cost. Explore bulk office supplies to see the full range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a GSA-approved office supplies vendor?

A GSA-approved vendor has met the General Services Administration's legal, regulatory, and operational requirements for selling to the U.S. government, spanning company ownership and structure, product brands offered, and environmental standards. Approval lets federal agencies like the VA purchase compliantly.

Can On Time Supplies fulfill orders through the Federal Marketplace (FMP)?

Yes. On Time Supplies is GSA-approved and able to work both inside and outside the FMP, so government purchasers can source specialized and hard-to-find items without wading through extra layers.

Does On Time Supplies carry AbilityOne and Skilcraft products?

Yes. Government buyers can order AbilityOne and Skilcraft supplies at GSA rates, alongside commercial office, cleaning, and janitorial products.

How do government agencies place orders and confirm stock?

Inventory is shown in real time on the site, and buyers who prefer a personal touch can confirm availability and place orders by phone using the contact options on the site.