GSA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield GSA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is a 'utilization review' in the context of federal real property management? → An assessment of whether a facility is being used efficiently and at its intended capacity
2. Under the Federal Travel Regulation, receipts are generally required for lodging expenses and any other individual expense exceeding: → $75
3. What is a 'blanket travel authorization' in federal travel management? → An authorization covering multiple recurring trips for a defined period
4. What is the GSA Fleet program's primary function? → Providing interagency vehicle fleet management, leasing, and maintenance services
5. What tool is used to evaluate contractor performance? → CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System)
6. Which federal regulation governs the management of personal property acquired with federal funds? → FAR Part 45
7. Which disposal method allows GSA to sell surplus federal real property through a public auction or sealed bid process? → Competitive Sale
8. What tool helps users navigate the FAR system online? → Acquisition.gov
9. What does a Contracting Officer (CO) do? → Awards and manages contracts
10. What is the consequence of non-compliance in procurement documentation? → Legal and financial penalties
11. What is the E-Gov Travel Service (ETS) used for in federal agencies? → A government-wide online travel booking and expense management system
12. What is the 'Lodging Plus' per diem method? → A method that reimburses actual lodging costs plus a fixed M&IE allowance
13. What is the primary federal statute that grants GSA authority over the management of federal real property? → Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949
14. Under the Antideficiency Act, what is prohibited without proper congressional authorization? → Obligating or expending funds in excess of or before an appropriation is made
15. What does 'constructive cost' mean in the context of federal travel? → The estimated cost of the least expensive authorized mode of transportation
16. What defines 'Temporary Duty' (TDY) travel for federal employees? → Official travel away from an employee's permanent duty station for a temporary period
17. Which OMB circular provides the cost principles applicable to contracts with commercial organizations? → FAR Part 31 / OMB Circular A-122 equivalent
18. What is the GSA Advantage! platform used for? → Allowing agencies to browse and purchase from GSA Schedule contracts online
19. When a federal employee attends a conference, lodging reimbursement is typically: → Limited to the applicable per diem rate unless an agency exception is approved
20. What is the primary function of a Travel Management Center (TMC) in the federal travel system? → To provide booking and travel management services to federal agencies
21. Which role ensures the contract meets agency objectives post-award? → Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)
22. What action should a contracting officer take when a vendor submits an invoice that contains charges for unallowable costs? → Reject or reduce the invoice and notify the contractor of the specific unallowable charges
23. What does the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) authorize? → The security authorization of cloud service offerings for use by federal agencies
24. What federal law requires agencies to report all federally owned property to a central database and sets performance standards for asset management? → Federal Real Property Asset Management Executive Order 13327
25. What is the threshold below which agencies may use the simplified ordering procedures for GSA Schedule purchases? → $25,000
26. What is the GSA SmartPay program? → A government-wide commercial purchase and travel charge card program
27. What action must a GSA Schedule contractor take when it discovers it has charged the government more than its MFC price? → Issue a credit to affected agencies and notify the GSA contracting officer immediately
28. Which agency maintains the FAR? → GSA, DoD, and NASA
29. Which transportation mode receives priority consideration under the Federal Travel Regulation? → Common carrier (air, rail, bus) when cost-effective and time-efficient
30. What type of GSA Schedule modification is used when a vendor needs to update its pricing due to an economic price adjustment clause? → Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) modification