Yet Another “New and Improved” GSA Advantage GSA has launched another re-design of its GSA Advantage buying portal. It’s the third complete overhaul since the site was introduced in 1995. GSA says the latest version responds to feedback from customers, who found it too complicated to buy through the old site. “We’re trying to model Amazon,” said Liz DelNegro, CIO of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service. The new design incorporates improved search capabilities that are intended to make it easier to find and buy products. It allows customers to view tracking numbers to follow the progress of their orders. Although all GSA schedule vendors are required to post their catalogs on Advantage, the site has gained little traction with federal buyers. Sales amounted to about $200 million last year, around one-half of one percent of total GSA Schedule sales. The average sale is $650, according to GSA. Despite the relatively small numbers, DelNegro said customers say they do find the site useful. She said window-shoppers outnumber buyers by 3-to-1 among the site’s visitors, indicating that it is being used primarily as a price-comparison tool. “Through customer surveys and daily communications, you have asked us to improve product information and increase the use of photos to help you identify needed products,” GSA said in announcing the overhaul. “…For many products we have expanded the descriptions, added multiple photos and provided spec sheets and manufacturer brochures.”