About FM QSMO

What is the FM QSMO?

The Financial Management Quality Service Management Office (FM QSMO) is a U.S. Department of the Treasury initiative and a key component to reaching goals under Treasury's 10-year Vision for the Future of Federal Financial Management.

Treasury was designated as the QSMO for core financial management. In that role it manages a marketplace of commercial and federal solutions and services to help standardize and streamline what is common.  

Agencies planning financial system modernizations, looking to procure a core financial system or meet other financial management needs should consult with the FM QSMO to learn about using the FM Marketplace.

Does the FM QSMO work with the other designated QSMOs?

FM QSMO works closely with the other designated QSMOs, lines of business, and standards setting agencies to identify interoperability needs and areas where data and business information will need to be exchanged across systems through interfaces or integrations. 

The QSMOs also interact regularly to identify common processes, share best practices and techniques, and discuss approaches for supporting shared services across the broader government landscape.

The FM Marketplace

What is the scope of the FM Marketplace?

The scope of the FM Marketplace is centered around solutions and services that support the Federal Financial Management (FFM) functional area, as defined in the Federal Integrated Business Framework (FIBF). Since the FFM and other functional areas have many mutual dependencies, solutions and services often provide capabilities that support work across several functional areas. In some cases, those solutions and services may be appropriate to include in the FM Marketplace.

Refer to the Guide to the FM Marketplace for more information on the scope of the FM Marketplace.

Are agencies required to use the FM Marketplace?

The FM Marketplace should be the first stop for agencies to get compliant financial management solutions and services from trusted providers. The Marketplace offers several benefits to agency customers. OMB guidance, along with Executive Order 14249 instructs agencies to engage with the FM QSMO and use the Marketplace. This consultation and use is required for core financial system investments and acquisitions.

For more information on guidance, refer to the FM Marketplace Benefits and Guidance on Agency Use resource.

Commercial Vendor Participation

How do vendors participate in the FM Marketplace?

Vendors interested in becoming an approved commercial provider in the FM Marketplace must apply for the FM QSMO SIN 518210FM under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). Vendors should review what solutions/services are in scope, prepare the needed technical documentation, and submit offers or modification requests using GSA eOffer/eMod.

The application period for SIN 518210FM is continuously open to provide ongoing opportunities. For more information about how to apply for SIN 518210FM, refer to the FM QSMO Vendor Guidance and other resources available on the FM QSMO Resources web page. Vendors may also contact the FM QSMO to discuss the application process.

Can small businesses participate in the FM Marketplace?

Yes, the FM QSMO encourages small business participation in the FM Marketplace. The scope of SIN 518210FM provides many opportunities for small businesses to participate by offering specific solutions and services. Small businesses are also permitted to partner with other businesses to provide offerings under the SIN (such as teaming). Small business participation supports a Marketplace that provides greater choice and flexibility for agencies.

What if a vendor does not direct-sell to the Federal government? Are there still opportunities for Marketplace participation? 

Yes, vendors that do not direct-sell to federal agencies still have opportunities to participate in the FM Marketplace through a variety of relationships/models (such as partners, subcontractors, suppliers, resellers).

Core FS Operational Capability Demonstrations

When is an Operational Capability Demonstration (OCD) required?

If a vendor is interested in offering a core financial system solution, besides a technical evaluation, the vendor is required to demonstrate that the solution complies with common business scenarios and capabilities.  For more information on vendor evaluations and OCDs under SIN 518210FM, refer to the FM QSMO Vendor Guidance and FM QSMO Vendor Onboarding Training on the FM QSMO Resources web page.

Information about business scenarios, FFM Business Use Cases, sample data, and correlation points are specified in the Core FS OCD Execution Plan. The Core FS OCD Execution Plan is available on the FM QSMO Resources web page.

Can agencies participate in the OCDs?

Yes, federal agencies have opportunities and are encouraged to participate in the OCDs in either an advisory or observational capacity and provide feedback through review of materials, observation during the demonstration and by submitting questions. Agencies interested in participating in a future OCD should contact the FM QSMO at fmqsmo@fiscal.treasury.gov for more information.

Agency Acquisition Process

What is the FM Marketplace ordering process for SIN 518210FM?

The FM QSMO Marketplace ordering process for agencies is based on familiar GSA MAS ordering procedures. Agencies conduct their own acquisitions and directly contract with vendors.

More information about the ordering process is available in the Agency Acquisition Guide on the FM QSMO Resources web page.

Before soliciting, are agencies required to issue Requests for Information (RFIs) using GSA MRAS when conducting acquisitions under the FM QSMO SIN?

No, the FM Marketplace/SIN 518210FM does not create a specific requirement for agencies to conduct an RFI, or to use the GSA MRAS tool for any such activities. Market research activities are left to the discretion of the agencies.

Is there a fee for agencies to use the FM Marketplace?

No, there is no added fee to agencies for use of the FM Marketplace (SIN 518210FM) outside of the standard Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) of 0.75% included in the GSA MAS program. Agencies are not responsible for directly paying the IFF since it is built into vendor pricing and collected from the vendors by GSA.

Does the Marketplace offer best available pricing?

Yes. Besides driving economies of scale through centralized federal FM spend and common solutions, agencies also benefit from the protections of the GSA price reduction clause which ensures that vendor prices are the best available/lowest offered across government.

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