GSA sets '05 ordering deadlines.

With the end of the fiscal year in sight, GSA has set cutoff dates for agencies to send new task and delivery orders through its Federal Supply Schedules and Federal Technology Service.

The deadlines enforce GSA's prohibition against agencies "parking" money in the IT Fund or General Supply Fund and carrying the money over until the next fiscal year.

Orders for commercial products under GSA schedules will be accepted until Sept. 26, but all other schedule orders must be placed by Sept. 16.

For the Federal Technology Service, new task orders, modifications or contracts for services through FTS will be accepted until Sept. 1. New delivery orders, contracts or modifications for supplies must be placed by Sept. 16. Aug. 26 is the cutoff date for FTS options that must be executed by the end of the fiscal year and for incremental funding modifications that must be funded and executed by the end of the fiscal year.

"These cutoff dates provide a reasonable period for making awards by the end of the fiscal year," GSA's chief acquisition officer, Emily Murphy, said in a memo to GSA contracting activities.

Murphy said orders may be accepted after the cutoff dates with approval of an official above the contracting officer.