The General Services Administration (GSA) has released several updates to photo processing in the FAS Catalog Platform (FCP), effective June 30, 2026. These changes are intended to improve the photo upload process by providing better reporting, increasing file size limits, and making it easier for contractors to identify and correct upload issues.
Below is a summary of the updates and what they mean for Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contractors.
Enhanced Photo Submission Reports
FCP now provides a detailed photo processing report for each photo upload action, replacing the limited status information previously available through the GSA Advantage photo report.
The updated report will:
- Indicate whether all, some, or none of the submitted photos were processed successfully.
- Display specific error messages for photos that failed processing.
- Generate a separate report for each .ZIP file uploaded as part of an action.
- Instruct users to create a new photo action when resubmitting failed images.
Keep in mind that a photo receives only one error type per upload attempt. After resolving one issue and uploading again, additional errors may be identified. Reviewing all photo requirements before uploading can help minimize repeat submissions.
Photo Action History
A new View Photo File History link has been added to the Latest Catalog Data section of the Catalog Overview page in FCP.
Similar to the existing Catalog File History for Product and Services Plus files, this feature allows contractors to review previous photo upload actions, access the uploaded files, and see a summary showing:
- Total photos submitted
- Photos processed successfully
- Photos that failed processing
This provides greater visibility into previous uploads and simplifies troubleshooting.
Increased File Size Limits
GSA has increased the maximum allowable file sizes for photo uploads.
| File Type | Previous Limit | New Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Individual photo | 1 MB | 10 MB |
| .ZIP file | 600 MB | 2 GB |
Additional upload requirements include:
- Each .ZIP file must contain at least one image and no more than 100,000 images.
- Multiple .ZIP files may be uploaded within a single photo action.
- .ZIP file names must be fewer than 80 characters and contain only letters, numbers, and underscores.
Although larger image files are now accepted, GSA Advantage will continue to compress images before publication because the platform does not currently display high-resolution images.
Photo Requirements That Remain Unchanged
The following requirements have not changed.
File Name
- Must be fewer than 80 characters.
- May contain only letters, numbers, and underscores.
- Must exactly match the Photo File Reference listed in an approved Product File.
Accepted File Formats
- .JPEG
- .JPG
- Non-animated .GIF
Resolution
- Minimum resolution of 500 × 500 pixels.
- No maximum resolution requirement.
Photo Content
Images must accurately represent the product being offered. Company logos, images of different products, or photos of incorrect models should not be used.
Best Practices
GSA continues to recommend the following practices when preparing product images.
- Include multiple images showing different product angles where appropriate.
- Provide photos for accessories or product options when applicable.
- Use clear, well-lit, high-quality images.
- Ensure the entire product is visible and occupies approximately 80% of the image.
Automatic Thumbnail Formatting
GSA Advantage automatically generates thumbnails from submitted images and resizes them for display throughout the site.
Images are resized to:
- 200 × 200 pixels for search results.
- 40 × 40 pixels for product detail thumbnails.
- 500 × 500 pixels for the larger product display.
If necessary, white space is added to create square images while preserving the original aspect ratio.
Reminder About Publishing Photos
Successfully uploading a photo does not automatically publish it to GSA Advantage.
A photo will only appear if its exact file name is referenced in the Photo File Reference field of an approved Product File.
If a photo file name needs to be updated, contractors must:
- Submit a Product Descriptive Modification through eMod.
- Submit a Change Products action in FCP with an updated Product File that references the new photo file name.
SIN Photo Requirements
Certain Special Item Numbers (SINs) require product photos for every listed item. Contractors should review the Schedules SIN-MOL-Photo-UPC Lookup Table to determine whether their SINs require photos and refer to the FCP Photos FAQ for additional guidance.
Quick summary for our community members
The June 30, 2026 updates introduce more detailed processing reports, a new photo upload history feature, and significantly larger file size limits while leaving existing photo requirements unchanged. Contractors should familiarize themselves with these changes to avoid upload issues and ensure product images are successfully published to GSA Advantage.
Dear community, isn’t this great news for all MAS contractors? What do you think?