Contracts & Procurement
The California Multiple Award Schedule: how agencies use it
What CMAS is, which agencies can use it, and how a purchase through it works.
The California Multiple Award Schedule, administered by the Department of General Services, lets California state and local agencies purchase products and services from vendors whose prices and terms have already been established, typically based on an existing federal GSA schedule or another approved base contract.
Who can use it
State agencies and, at their option, local governments, school districts, and other California public entities. Each local agency decides under its own policy whether to use CMAS and whether governing body approval is needed at given amounts.
How a purchase works
The agency identifies CMAS vendors offering the needed services, solicits offers, often obtaining multiple quotes as the program requires, and issues a purchase order that references the vendor's CMAS contract. Pricing cannot exceed the vendor's base contract pricing. Small business and disabled veteran business enterprise participation provisions apply to certain purchases.
What it is good for
Buying defined products and services from established vendors quickly, without running a solicitation. It is less suited to complex, custom projects where the agency needs to compare approaches; an RFP serves those better.
What to verify
That the vendor's CMAS contract actually covers the services being bought, that the agency's own thresholds and approvals are met, and that the terms of the CMAS contract, plus any agency-specific terms, are acceptable for the purchase.
Vendors without CMAS
Not every capable vendor holds a CMAS contract. Agencies can still purchase from them under threshold, through a solicitation, or as a subcontractor to a CMAS holder. HQT is pursuing a CMAS contract and works with California agencies through each of those routes.
Where to learn more
The Department of General Services publishes CMAS program guidance and current contract lists. Rely on those official sources for current rules.