The Information Technology Large Category within the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) accounts for the highest spending through MAS regularly, but it can also be one of the most difficult categories for vendors to determine where their offerings fall. Many of the Special Item Numbers (SINs) in this Large Category are interrelated, and sometimes the scope descriptions struggle to capture innovations in industry.
A clear example of this is the Software SINs versus the Cloud Computing SIN. GSA distinguishes between offerings that are non-cloud software based, and offerings that are cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). For some prospective IT vendors offering software solutions, it can be confusing whether to apply under the cloud Special Item Number (SIN), the software SINs, or another IT SIN entirely, because of how interrelated these goods and services are. This article will discuss the scope and requirements of each SIN to clarify the key differences.
There are two SINs that cover software offerings, and GSA encourages vendors to offer them in tandem with each other. The first, SIN 511210: Software Licenses, is a products SIN that enables vendors to sell non-cloud software licenses to government purchasers.
The second SIN, 54151: Software Maintenance Services, is a services SIN that enables vendors to sell services that support the implementation and customization of non-cloud software (typically for commercial off-the-shelf software licenses).
These two SINs are ideal for companies that are the manufacturer of commercial software licenses, or are authorized resellers of software licenses, and can support implementation/customization services with it.
The Cloud Computing SIN, 518210C, is meant for vendors offering IT products and services within the scope of cloud computing solutions.
The offerings in scope of the Cloud SIN generally fall into two categories. The first is commercially available products that fit the SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS models. This might look like a company that is the manufacturer of a cloud SaaS solution who wants to expand its use to federal buyers.
The second category of work within scope of the Cloud SIN is IT professional services that enables the move of existing infrastructure to a cloud model. In other words, IT modernization efforts that enable government agencies to move their data or technology stack to a cloud model are within the scope of this SIN.
Unlike the software SINs that are divided into products or services offerings, the Cloud SIN encompasses both products and services. This provides vendors flexibility to offer a total solution under that one SIN.
After understanding the difference in scope between these two SINs, we can look more closely at the special requirements that exist for vendors adding these SINs to a new or existing MAS contract. The table below summarizes the major differences in special requirements between the Cloud SIN and the two Software SINs.
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Cloud Specific (SIN 518210C) |
Software Specific (SINs 511210 and 54151) |
Required by both (but outside of standard MAS requirements) |
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Contractors must confirm their offering abides by National Institute of Standards and Technology’s guidelines on cloud computing. |
Vendors are encouraged to offer both SINs 511210 and 54151 together. |
End User License Agreement (EULA) must be submitted for applicable products. |
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Vendors must identify whether their offering is categorized as a Public, Community, or Private deployment model |
Vendors must identify if the software products offered are term or perpetual licensing |
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Vendors must identify if their offering is categorized as a SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS model |
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An additional technical narrative is required to support past performance. |
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Transactional Data Reporting, or TDR, is a program that GSA is implementing for certain contracts, based on what SINs are on the contracts. Essentially, TDR allows MAS contractors to waive their requirement to submit commercial sales practice information to the government under the Price Reductions Clause. In return, contractors under TDR have a more substantial reporting cycle for MAS contract sales.
As of the release of Solicitation Refresh #27 in late June 2025, the Cloud SIN is now eligible for TDR, in addition to the software SINs that were already TDR-eligible. This is a major strategic change for prospective vendors considering whether to pursue the Cloud SIN or the Software SINs. For more information on the potential benefits of the TDR program, visit our prior blog post.
The IT Large Category sees the highest volume of sales move through it out of all the large categories in GSA MAS. It is a great place to be for vendors that can meet the offering requirements of one or more SINs within the program. If the SINs we’ve discussed so far don’t seem to be an exact fit for your company, you can also consider the following SINs:
There are plenty of opportunities for contractors with the Cloud SIN, the Software SINs, or many of the other SINs within the IT Large Category. To prevent delays in adding these SINs to a new or existing MAS Schedule, though, it’s important that you understand the scope of each SIN and where your offering will fit.
Determining what SIN to add can be a convoluted process, especially with gray areas in scope overlap, and the fact that many of these SINs are getting updated regularly. If you have questions about SIN additions, one of our GSA MAS consultants would be happy to help you.