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Buy through us
Explore buy through us
Category management
Government property for sale or lease
Personal property (tangible goods)
Real property (real estate and buildings) for public use
Real property sales
Vehicle sales
Products and services
Human capital
Industrial products and services
Office management
Professional services
Security and protection
Transportation and logistics services
Purchasing programs
Assisted acquisition
Commercial platforms
Federal strategic sourcing initiative
Fleet management
HCaTS and HCaTS SB
OASIS and OASIS SB
Requisition programs
State and local programs
Emergency acquisition basic ordering agreements
Shared services
Payroll services
Support services for CABs
Sell to government
Explore sell to government
Step 1: Learn about government contracting
Ways you can sell to government
How to access contract opportunities
Conduct market research
Step 2: Compete for a contract
Register your business
Certify as a small business
Become a schedule holder
Market your business
Research active solicitations
Respond to a solicitation
What to expect during the award process
Step 3: Manage your contract
Comply with contractual requirements
Handle contract modifications
Monitor past performance evaluations
Real estate
Explore real estate
Design and construction
3D-4D building information modeling
Computer-aided design standards
Engineering
Project management information system
Prospectus thresholds
Facilities management
Security
Tenant services
Water quality management
Our properties
Owned and leased properties
Renting property
Real estate services
Leasing resources
Real property disposal
Reimbursable services (RWA)
For businesses seeking opportunities
For workers in federal buildings
Voice of the customer
Workplace optimization
Commercial coworking
Space Match
Explore historic buildings
Policy and regulations
Explore policy and regulations
Acquisition policy
Aviation management policy
Federal Advisory Committee Act management
Information technology policy
Real property management policy
Travel management policy
Regulations
Federal acquisition regulations
Federal management regulations
Federal travel regulations
Small business
Explore small business
Small business goals
Register your business
Explore business models
Research the federal market
Subcontracting and other partnerships
Forecast of contracting opportunities
Small business resources
Small business contacts
Videos
Travel
Explore travel
Plan a trip
Per diem rates
Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
Lodging
Travel charge card
Travel and lodging services
E-gov travel service (ETS)
Rideshare
Travel category schedule
Federal travel regulation
Technology
Explore technology
Purchasing programs
Cloud computing services
Cybersecurity products and services
Governmentwide acquisition contracts
MAS information technology
USAccess
Government initiatives
Artificial Intelligence
Cybersecurity
Emerging citizen technology
FedRAMP
Federal identity, credentials, and access management
Robotic process automation community
Technology modernization fund
Training
About us
Explore about us
Background and history
Overview
Mission and strategic goals
Role in presidential transitions
Careers
Get an internship
Launch your career
Elevate your professional career
Discover special hiring paths
Resources and related links
Events and training
Events, training, and request a speaker
Our training programs
Newsroom
Agency blog
Congressional testimony
GSA does that podcast
News releases
Speeches
Videos
Organization
Leadership directory
Federal Acquisition Service
Public Buildings Service
Staff offices
Contact us
  1. Home
  2. Buy through us
  3. Purchasing programs
  4. Federal strategic sourcing initiative
  5. FSSI OS4
  6. FAQ

FSSI OS4 frequently asked questions

Where to find help or get more details

You can email questions on Office Supplies Fourth Generation, or OS4, to ncsccustomer.service@gsa.gov, and download the FSSI OS4: Best-in-Class Solution for Office Products and Services fact sheet for more details. 

Learn more about MAS 75, which is now under the Multiple Award Schedule Office Management Category.

Why you should use FSSI OS4

By purchasing office supplies through OS4, you ensure you are meeting all relevant mandates and procurement regulations, including TAA and EO 13834. The items on OS4, where applicable, meet product guidelines for sustainable products, and when purchased in a large quantity by meeting the minimum purchasing thresholds, help reduce the number of deliveries and transactions.

Also, by using your GSA SmartPay card, you automatically get the discounted OS4 prices, and your agency gets credit card refunds in the process. Unlike buying office supplies retail, you are not paying sales tax, which your agency can monitor by receiving spend data to help keep prices down in the future. The contract prices have been proven to be better than any mass pricing discounts agencies can get on their own, and OS4 is easy to use, especially through GSA Advantage.

How to use OS4

Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for all purchasing authorities and purchase cardholders to procure office supplies that are compliant with all relevant mandates.

For orders at or below the micro-purchase threshold, use your GSA SmartPay card to make a purchase in the FSSI Office Supplies aisle of GSA Advantage. This is available by selecting Office Supplies & Equipment FSSI (BIC) on the left-side menu of the website.

FedMall, walking into a vendor’s store, or otherwise contacting the vendor directly are other means of buying office supplies through OS4, though they are not as streamlined as purchasing through GSA Advantage.

For orders over the micro-purchase threshold, check with your contracting officer to understand your agency’s purchasing policy.

Who can use OS4

  • All federal agencies and activities in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
  • Government contractors authorized in writing by a federal agency pursuant to 48 CFR 51.1.
  • Mixed ownership government corporations* (as defined in the Government Corporation Control Act of 1945, as amended).
  • The government of the District of Columbia.
  • Other activities and organizations authorized by statute or regulation to use GSA as a source of supply.

*There are 18 of these quasi-government organizations, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Amtrak. These organizations typically have fewer regulatory guidelines for purchasing than the federal government, and are authorized by statute to use the Schedules program.

Visit our eligibility determinations page to read more about entities eligible to buy through us.

If you are wondering whether federal agencies are required to purchase from OS4

Many agencies mandate the use of OS4. Some agencies have designated which OS4 contractors to use, based on specific agency mandates. The information is provided through your agency’s FSSI representative.

Delivery requirements

Standard delivery is four business days after receipt of order. Express, desktop, secure, and international delivery are all available and may carry an extra fee. Orders below the minimum threshold of $100 (may be lower, depending on the vendor) may also have a convenience fee. In most circumstances, purchasing authorities and purchase cardholders can and should plan ahead for the procurement and delivery of office supplies. By doing so, the federal workforce significantly decreases costs, as overnight delivery can add 15-20% of the cost of the item with some vendors, and we reduce our impact on the environment and streamline the process for our employees.

Minimum order requirement

One way to reduce the total cost of your order is to increase the order size. This also reduces the costs of all items in the OS4 over time. This process results in less paperwork, less tracking, and less reconciliation. Plus, larger and fewer orders means there are fewer trucks on the road making deliveries, reducing the federal government’s financial footprint. We recommend you consolidate your orders, so you have fewer total transactions to manage. However, because it is not always possible to combine orders or otherwise meet the minimum order amount, some OS4 vendors process smaller orders with an additional convenience fee.

Competition requirements

Orders below the micro-purchase threshold can be placed with any Schedule contractor that can meet your agency’s needs. For orders exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, follow the procedures in FAR 8.405-1 or 8.405-2.

If you want to know if the contracts are consistent with AbilityOne

Yes. All contractors are required to remain AbilityOne certified resellers.

OS4 and small businesses

We are committed to increasing small business participation in strategic sourcing initiatives and OS4 is expected to increase the volume of spend going to small businesses, while also delivering government savings. We estimate that more than $8 out of every $10 spent on OS4 purchases will go to small businesses.

If the product you want to buy is not on OS4

In general, the OS4 program includes a wide range of products, brands, and part numbers, although not every brand or part number. We recommend purchasing an item that is a close second to the office supply you are intending to buy.

Additional discounts included in OS4

OS4 includes a Delivery Tier Discount structure. Percentage discounts are included on orders of $300 and more with some vendors.

If your favorite vendor is not part of OS4

For a list of OS4-awarded vendors, visit Office Supply Fourth Generation Awarded Vendors. OS4 was a full and open competition, and extensive competition was received. Not every proposal submitted received an award.

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Last updated: Jul 30, 2025
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