GSA recently released the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Alliant 3, a follow on to the highly successful Alliant 2 Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). Like Alliant 2, Alliant 3 is an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for IT-services based solutions, but one major change is that Alliant 3 has no maximum dollar ceiling. In this blog, we’ll cover the highlights of the Alliant 3 RFP to help you determine if this is a good fit for your company.
General Scope of Alliant 3
The goal of Alliant 3 is to allow agencies maximum flexibility in acquiring IT services-based solutions for any conceivable IT services-based requirement. This contract was created with an “Anything IT Anywhere” philosophy in mind.
The scope of Alliant 3 includes any and all components of an integrated IT services-based solution, including all current leading-edge technologies and any new technologies that may emerge during the contract period. Specific aspects of IT services that are noted in the scope include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Biometrics /Identity Management
- Cloud Computing
- Cyber Security
- Decision Intelligence
- Digital Government
- Digitization and Imaging
- 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
- Reality (MR).
- Zero-trust Networks
This list is far from complete, but provides an overview of some of the IT services areas in the scope of the contract.
Basis of Award for Alliant 3
Awards will be determined using a highest technically rated offerors with a “Fair and Reasonable” price approach, which will ensure that awards are made to offerors with qualities most important to GSA. The full scoring table, which outlines how many points can be earned from each element of the proposal, is available in the solicitation. Previous experience is crucial to a high score, with past performance assessments and relevant experience making up a significant portion of the score. Extra points are awarded for larger and more complex projects and completing work for a variety of agencies.
Past Performance
Due to the nature of both the contract and the rapidly developing field of IT, relevant experience past performance projects are divided into two separate categories: Primary NAICS Code Projects and Emerging Technology Projects.
The primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for the contract is 541512, Computer Systems Design Services. However, there are four other NAICS Codes that are applicable in this RFP:
- 518210, Data Processing, Hosting and Related Services
- 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services
- 541513, Computer Facilities Management Services
- 541519, Other Computer Related Services
Primary NAICS Code Projects must have been completed within the last five years (or be ongoing with at least one year completed) and have a value of at least $7,500,000.
Emerging Technology Projects do not have to correspond to any of the NAICS Codes listed above, but must have involved one of the following 11 emerging technologies:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Big Data
- Cloud Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Edge Computing
- Extended Reality (XR)
- Health Information Technology (HIT)
- The Internet of Things (IoT)
- Mobile IT
- Quantum Computing
- Zero Trust Networks
Emerging Technology Projects must also have been completed within the past five years (or be ongoing with at least the base year completed), but only need to have had a value of $1,000,000.
Offerors can submit up to seven Primary NAICS Code Projects and up to three Emerging Technology Projects, and the same project can be used for both categories.
Small Business Opportunities in Alliant 3
Due to the size and scope of the contract, the government anticipates significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The small business subcontracting goals are as follows:
- Total Small Business: 50%
- Veteran-Owned Small Business: 7%
- Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business: 6%
- HUBZone Small Business: 5%
- Small Disadvantaged Business: 15%
- Woman-Owned Small Business: 7%
Alliant 3 Timeline
Questions regarding the Alliant 3 RFP can be submitted using this Google Form. All questions must be submitted by July 26, 2024 at 4:00pm ET. The government’s response to questions submitted through the form will be made available on SAM.gov, and the current estimated response date is August 23, 2024. Additionally, a pre-proposal conference will be recorded and released online to provide an overview of the RFP.
The conference will not introduce new information but may help clarify existing details. Information regarding access to the recording will be provided soon through GSA Interact. The proposal submission date is October 28, 2024, at 4:00pm ET.
GSA has already issued an amendment on July 10th, so be sure to stay on top of these updates through the Interact page.
Interested in the Alliant 3 RFP and other Opportunities?
If Alliant 3 sounds like a good opportunity for your company, don’t wait! October 28 may seem far away now, but putting together a compelling and compliant proposal has many steps. Reading the RFP alone will take a significant amount of time, as it clocks in at just under 350 pages.
For advice on how to break down and respond to the RFP, check out some of our previous blogs like A Guide to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Top 10 Tips to Win Your Next Federal Proposal. If you’re looking for a little more help with crafting a proposal for Alliant 3 or other proposals (especially during government Q4), you can always reach out to us and get support from our proposal team.
