Once they have their GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), a lot of our clients ask us how to start gaining government customers. Whether it’s through GSA eBuy, GSA Advantage!, or SAM.gov, new contractors are understandably eager to make sales through their contract. Some opportunities will be single orders if you sell through Advantage, and others will be short-lived contracts, but Best-In-Class (BIC) vehicles are also another opportunity to keep on your radar. These contracts offer pre-vetted and negotiated solutions to a variety of agencies, and there are a few offering new opportunities in the coming months. In this blog, we’ll talk about some of the most popular BICs and their status for contractors looking to join.
What is a Best-In-Class (BIC) Solution?
Best-In-Class (BIC) solutions are determined to be the highest performing contracts by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). BICs were created about 10 years ago when the OMB laid out a strategic mission to focus on best value solutions over lowest price.
What makes these contracts “Best-In-Class”? Overall, BIC vehicles can be used by multiple agencies and:
- Reduce administrative costs
- Increase transparency
- Reduce contract duplication
- Include pre-vetted, governmentwide solutions
- Increases Spend Under Management (SUM)
Now, let’s talk about some of the different BICs currently running or on the horizon.
Alliant 3
GSA’s Alliant 3 is an IT services-based solutions BIC vehicle with no maximum dollar ceiling. GSA recently released the Request for Proposal (RFP) for this Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, which is a follow-on to the Alliant 2 BIC. IDIQ means that throughout the life of this contract, there is no limit to how much is bought and sold. The general scope of Alliant 3 is integrated IT services-based solutions including leading edge technologies and any new technologies that may emerge during the contract period of performance.
Some aspects of the scope include, but are not limited to:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Biometrics /Identity Management
- Cloud Computing
- Cyber Security
- Digital Process Automation
- Internet of Things
- IT Helpdesk, Operations, or Maintenance.
- Quantum Computing / Networking / Machine Learning
- Software Development
- Web Services
- XR (Extended Reality) - Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) / Mixed
- Zero-trust Networks
This contract is expected to have small business opportunities. You can check out the entire RFP and the timelines (subject to change) in the solicitation.
OASIS+
In the coming months, GSA is expected to release awards for OASIS+ BIC professional services vehicle. Originally called the Services BIC MAC, this contract is set to replace GSA’s One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS). This contract is an IDIQ as well.
Currently, OASIS+ has eight domains in the scope:
- Management and advisory services
- Technical and engineering services
- Research and development services
- Intelligence services
- Environmental services
- Facilities services
- Logistics services
- Enterprise services
More domains will be added later on. This contract has an unrestricted pool, and pools for small business set-asides including total small business, Women-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and HUBZone.
While the initial contract responses were already due, GSA will re-open submissions in government Fiscal Year 2025 (which starts October 2024) and will leave them open continuously. So, if you didn’t get your foot in the door before, you’ll have plenty of opportunities in the near future.
NASA SEWP VI
This timeline is a little tight unless there's an extension, but NASA is currently seeking proposals for its Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurements Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (SEWP) VI contract. This highly anticipated contract will become a one-stop acquisition solution for IT products and services. SEWP is the largest and most successful Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) that many federal agencies use. This contract has both unrestricted and small business set-aside opportunities.
The contract ceiling is around $60 billion and the contract will have a 10 year period of performance. NASA does not anticipate on-ramping any additional contractors, so if you are interested, it's best to get your foot in the door now or subcontract later on if possible. The most updated solicitation due date is August 28, but it is subject to change if there is a new amendment released or any bid protests come out.
VETS 2
If you’re a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veterans Technology Services or VETS 2 is the only BIC set aside exclusively for veteran-owned small businesses. This contract includes IT services requirements such as new and emerging technologies. The current ceiling for this contract was just raised $1.1 billion, bringing it to $6.1 billion.
If you are not currently a vendor through this vehicle, there are still options to subcontract or form a Contractor Teaming Arrangement (CTA) with contractors already on VETS 2. GSA could open an on-ramp in the future before the contract period of performance ends in 2028, but as of now there is no official plan.
8(a) STARS III
The 8(a) STARS III BIC is for small businesses in the 8(a) Business Development Program. This contract was created to provide agencies with IT services and customized IT-services based solutions. If you are not on this contract currently, you are encouraged to look for subcontracting opportunities with 8(A) STARS III contractors. GSA may on-ramp contractors if they are not meeting expectations, so they may on-ramp to fill the gap or if agency needs grow.
The GSA Multiple Award Schedule
Sections of the Multiple Award Schedule program, such as the MAS IT Category, are also considered Best-In-Class. The MAS program has a continuous enrollment process so you can start prepping your offer at any time. This program is one of the preferred vehicles by federal agencies because it consists of pre-vetted contractors, pre-negotiated prices, and offers a wide range of solutions. If you don’t have a GSA Schedule yet and want to learn more about acquiring one, check out our blog about the acquisition process.
Finding Opportunities for Your GSA Schedule
Keeping up with your GSA Schedule can be a chore—from regular contract maintenance to finding and winning opportunities, there’s a lot to manage. If you want to learn more about responding to opportunities, check out our blogs:
- 10 Tips to Win Your Next Federal Proposal
- Where to Find Government Contracting Opportunities
- Tips to Successfully Interact with Government Customers
If you need help acquiring or managing your GSA Schedule, or need help responding to opportunities, feel free to reach out to us today.
