Government Contracting Blog

After months of drafts, comments, and pushback from industry on a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) clause, GSA has decided to move forward with it. General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) clause 552.239-7001, “Basic Safeguarding of Data within Large Language Model Artificial Intelligence Systems” is a class deviation that becomes effective on October 19, 2026, but Contracting Officers (COs) can theoretically start using it now. GSA has also listed the clause in its advance notice for Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation Refresh #34, which is expected to be released in November 2026.

The General Services Administration (GSA) recently announced the retirement of their 2nd Generation Information Technology (2GIT) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), a popular vehicle created for streamlined access to IT and software solutions. The 2GIT BPA ran from March 2021 through September 2026, but GSA said they do not have plans to renew this vehicle, as part of the White House’s initiative to consolidate procurement. GSA is now directing agencies over to the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program and a few device-specific BPAs (for high-volume purchases) for their IT needs.

The GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) is broken down into 12 Large Categories, each with their own specific offering of Special Item Numbers (SINs) that correspond with products and services. One category that can provide numerous opportunities is the Security and Protection Large Category. Did you know that you can sell canine training products and services, detection systems, night vision equipment, and criminal investigative equipment through GSA MAS? Under the Security and Protection Large Category, you can sell products and services that fill various government agencies and customers’ security and protection needs. Additionally, businesses who sell through this Large Category qualify for specific programs unique to their offerings within MAS, such as Cooperative Purchasing and the 1122 Program.

Supply chain security is a popular buzzword in the federal government especially when it comes to domestic procurement and focusing on initiatives like the Buy American Act (BAA). The newest Executive Order (EO) is no different, but that doesn’t mean you should gloss over it, especially if you’re a contractor within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).

After years of anticipation, NASA announced the initial SEWP VI contract awards in June 2026, marking the next generation of one of the federal government's top IT acquisition vehicles. While the ordering period does not officially begin until November 1, 2026, now is the time for both contractors and technology providers to understand what SEWP VI is, how it differs from SEWP V, and how they might be able to get involved.

Back in March, we covered GSA's proposal to modernize the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) by consolidating the certification rules and clarifying certain points of the program. In late June, FedRAMP released the FedRAMP Consolidated Rules for 2026, establishing a new certification framework that will gradually replace many long-standing processes over the next several months.