California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS) Overview and Guide
CMAS Overview and Requirements
The Basis for CMAS Agreements
The State of California establishes multiple award agreements in accordance with Public Contract Code Sections 10290 et seq. and 12101.5 (effective January 1994). A multiple award is an award to two or more contractors for the same products and/or services at the same or similar prices. Multiple award does not pertain to the number of buyers who would be ordering from the agreement, but rather the number of contractors receiving an award from a common bid process.
CMAS agreements are not established through a competitive bid process conducted by the State of California. Because of this, all pricing, products and/or services offered must have been previously bid and awarded on a Federal GSA schedule. The supplier completes a CMAS Application offering products and/or services at prices based on an existing Federal GSA multiple award schedule. This schedule is referred to as the “base” contract. Upon review and acceptance of the application, the CMAS Unit awards a CMAS agreement which includes the State of California contract terms and conditions, procurement codes, policies, and guidelines. For clarity, the CMAS Program does not “use” the GSA Authorized Federal Supply Service Schedule. Instead, we establish a totally independent California agreement for the same products and services at equal or lower prices. Once a CMAS is awarded, the Contractor markets and distributes the CMAS, and provides the CMAS Unit with quarterly reports of CMAS sales transactions.
Attention
New CMAS application and supplement (formerly renewal) portal coming February 1, 2021. All new CMAS applications, renewal applications (now supplement), and supplement requests will need to be submitted via the portal once portal goes live. CMAS suppliers will need to create an account and log in to submit applications and supplement requests. If you have any questions concerning the new CMAS portal, please email the CMAS Unit at CMAS@dgs.ca.gov. CMAS portal - www.dgs.service-now.com/cmas
Please note that the current processing time of CMAS applications is 30 to 45 days.
Please note that this is due to the overwhelming response to the new CMAS service portal and is temporary.
Overview of the CMAS Program
The term of a CMAS agreement begins upon award by the CMAS Unit and expires on the same date as the referenced Federal GSA schedule.
CMAS renewals/extensions do not occur automatically when the term of the base GSA schedule is renewed or extended. It is the responsibility of the CMAS contractor to request the renewal or extension at the time the base GSA schedule is renewed or extended. (Refer to the CMAS Management & Information Guide for renewal/ extension information.)
Effective July 1, 2019, if the CMAS contractor is a California certified small business, the administrative and incentive fees of 1.25% are waived.
The following products and services are not available through the CMAS program:
- Facility Planning
- Medical Services
- Registered Nursing
- Human Resources
- Security Guard Services
By CMAS policy, the services noted cannot be procured via a CMAS agreement.
- Architectural
- Construction
- Engineering
- Environmental Services
Services are not allowed on CMAS that are required by law to be performed by a licensed architect, licensed registered engineer, licensed landscape architect, construction project manager, licensed land surveyor, or environmental services as defined in Government Code 4525. One exception is that third party verification services of greenhouse gas emission reports for existing facilities and operations are available on the CMAS Program. See the State Contracting Manual, Volume I, Chapter 11 for information on Architectural and Engineering contracts. If you have questions about Architectural, Construction, Engineering, and Environmental Services, the Department of General Services (DGS), Real Estate Services Division (RESD) can be contacted at (916) 375-4700.
- Financial Audits
Government Code 8546.4(e) requires prior written approval from the State Controller and the Director of Finance for state agencies entering into contracts for financial auditing services. The approval shall state the reason for the contract and shall be filed with the State Auditor at least 30 days prior to the award of the contract.
- Legal Services
Contracting for legal services by state agencies is controlled by statute (GC 11040) and requires Attorney General approval prior to entering into contracts with outside counsel. Additionally, Article VII of the California Constitution requires that state legal work be performed by state employees, absent limited exceptions (Government Code 19130). There are also policy-based approval requirements for all Executive Branch agencies that control the use of private counsel.
- Public Works
Public works projects involve erection, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of a public structure as defined in Public Contract Code 1101. See the State Contracting Manual, Volume I, Chapter 10 and the “CMAS Management & Information Guide” for information on Public Works projects. If you have questions about Public Works projects, the DGS Real Estate Services Division (RESD) can be contacted at (916) 375-4700.
Contact
Department of General Services
Procurement Division
West Sacramento, CA 95605-2811
Phone: (916) 375-4363
Email: cmas@dgs.ca.gov