Making sure children, teachers and staff are kept safe in our schools are of top priority. If you’re in charge of securing your school building(s), it’s worth looking at GSA-approved access control systems through GSA Advantage.

This is an ecommerce platform featuring only government agency–approved equipment and services that have been vetted by the U.S. General Services Administration to provide an easier way to purchase the products you need, all in one location.  If you didn’t know, Anderson Lock is a GSA approved vendor with Allegion products. 

Security Challenges for Chicago-Area Schools

Over 9.6 million people live in the Chicago metropolitan area, making us the third largest metropolis in the country and the fourth largest in North America. (Fun fact: We’re number 50 in the world.) That kind of density means inevitable security challenges, from break-ins and theft to violent intrusions.

You’ve got to think about how to keep people in and how to get them safely out of your building. If your building is older, it may have door hardware that fails to meet current safety codes or to provide the amount of security you need in the face of modern-day threats. 

What GSA Approval Means

Vendors who appear on GSA Advantage meet the following standards of stability, competency, and compliance set by the GSA:

  • Be in business for at least 2 years
  • Provide proof of financial stability and past performance
  • Offer products or services commercially
  • Comply with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), HSPD-12, and FIPS 201
  • Submit financial and technical proposals

To simplify, GSA approval indicates the vendor has a functioning, successful business that offers qualified products and services. 

What to Know About Compliance Acronyms

Things get technical fast when it comes to access control systems, especially when government regulations are involved. Here’s are some relevant acronyms you may have encountered:

TAA (Trade Agreements Act)

Passed in 1979, the TAA explains what products can be sold internationally and how to establish the country of origin. The standard is (1) that the product is literally made or grown in that country or (2) that the product is “significantly transformed” by a company in that country.

This may be relevant to you if you have been tasked with procuring American-made access controls for your educational facility.

HSPD 12 (Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12)

This directive “mandates a federal standard for secure and reliable forms of identification.” In other words, it calls for guidelines for adequate security of personal identifying information like access credentials.

FIPS 201

This is the specific standard created to satisfy the requirements of HSPD 12 as regards personal identity verification, or PIV. This standard governs access controls, physical and wireless. Big picture: If you see “FIPS 201,” you know it satisfies HSPD 12.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

You’re probably familiar with this one, and the good news is that GSA approval includes ADA compliance. The GSA also issues the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard, or ABAAS, which governs federal facilities or facility construction or updating that uses federal funds.

Procuring Access Control Systems Through GSA Advantage

Using GSA Advantage to procure door security hardware and access control systems can save you time in vetting your vendors:

  • Pre-approved compliant access control systems
  • Pre-screened installation services
  • Pre-negotiated pricing

While GSA Advantage primarily targets federal contracts, state and local organizations, such as educational facilities, can still access it.

GSA-Approved Access Control Systems

GSA-Approved access control systems promise safety, durability, and reliability. With modern access control systems, you can choose from a number of convenient features for securing your school, including:

  • Electronic access  Electronic access control systems can be opened via PIN pads, keycards, fobs, or even mobile phones. You can also program them remotely and sometimes set access schedules.

    GSA-approved access control systems must be able to support certain authentication and encryption levels.
  • Audit trails  Electronic systems log every entry and exit. This gives you useful insights whether looking at daily use, investigating an incident, or debriefing an emergency.
  • Security system integration  You can integrate electronic access controls, including wireless access controls, with your existing security cameras and emergency protocols, giving you greater control over your whole security system.

Benefits for Chicago Schools

A quality GSA-approved access control system customized for your school’s needs has immediate and long-term benefits:

  • Simplified access management  Reduce the risk of unauthorized persons gaining access with centralized controls.
  • Enhanced protection  Electronic access controls will come to play a key role in your security protocols.
  • Reduced long-term costs  No more calls to the locksmith for rekeying or replacing locks. You can manage personnel changes from a phone or computer.

Illinois-State Specific Standards

While GSA approval guarantees the vendor or product has met federal standards, Chicago-area public schools must abide by Illinois school code 105 ILCS 5/10-20.72. This mostly concerns how the door can be locked or unlocked depending on the need. Almost all digital access control devices can be programmed or installed so as to meet these requirements.

Anderson Lock is a GSA-Authorized Vendor

While GSA Advantage does have its benefits, it is not always straightforward to use. Here at Anderson Lock, we’ve gone through the process to be vetted and approved as an official GSA-Authorized vendor with Allegion products. You can count on us to guide you through the process and assist in helping find the right access control system for your school’s needs. 

We offer:

  • Local expertise  – We’ve served Chicagoland for 65 years.
  • Educational expertise – We’ve become a go-to resource for area schools for safety audits, security consulting, and compliance.
  • In it for the long run – We’ll not only install your new access control system and train your staff, we’re here for ongoing support and maintenance.

GSA-Approved Access Control Systems: Compliant & 

Safe

Don’t upgrade to a new electronic access control system because it’s new and trending. Do it because it makes sense as part of your overall strategy for keeping your staff and students safe. With GSA-approved products, you know you’re starting off on the right foot.

Ready to upgrade your school security? Contact us for a free service consultation and find out how easy it can be to protect what’s important.