Information Technology (IT) contractors entering the federal government marketplace are often confronted with a wide range of acronyms and terms they’re likely unfamiliar with. GWAC is one term that is used quite frequently and will likely come up often as you search for new federal opportunities. GWAC stands for Government Wide Acquisition Contract, a type of federal contract vehicle that allows contractors to all government agencies using a central contract managed by a single agency. GWACs are specific to the IT sphere of contracting. Having a GWAC can make contracting more streamlined for both the government and contractors. In this blog, we’ll explore what is a GWAC, how they can be beneficial, and the different types of GWACs.
What is a GWAC?
Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) are multiple-award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. This means the contracts allow for an indefinite quantity of products and services to be sold over an indefinite period of time. They are also awarded to multiple contractors who compete for task orders once they are part of the contract vehicle.
A single agency will award and manage a GWAC, but any civilian or military agency can purchase from them. A recent Executive Order (EO) directs most GWACs to eventually be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA). Currently, GSA manages several, but not all GWACs.
In order to get on a GWAC, your company may need to show it meets certain technical requirements, prior experience, pricing criteria, and more, depending on what is required by the administering agency.
GWACs provide government agencies with access to Best In Class (BIC) IT solutions including:
- Systems design
- Software engineering
- Information assurance
- Enterprise architecture solutions
Benefits of a GWAC
GWACs simplify the process of federal contracting for both contractors and government agencies through pre-approval of contract terms. This saves government buyers from the time and hassle of ensuring fully open competition while allowing contractors to use a single contract for multiple opportunities.
GWACs have also received additional spotlight from recent administrations. The DoD, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have issued policy memos during both the Trump and Biden Administrations to encourage the use of GWACs. This aligns with Trump’s plans to increase efficiency in procurement and fulfill his cybersecurity mission, as many GWACs are dedicated to IT and cloud solutions, including STARS III, VETS 2, and Alliant 2.
Alliant 3 and Polaris are both upcoming and new contracts that we can anticipate seeing the federal government taking increased advantage of as well.
Current GWAC Examples
8(a) STARS III
The 8(a) STARS III GWAC is a Best-in-Class, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), designed to provide federal agencies with flexible access to customized IT solutions from a diverse pool of SBA-certified 8(a) small, disadvantaged businesses. It has a $50 billion program ceiling and supports a wide range of IT products and services, including up-and-coming technologies, and facilitates streamlined acquisitions through features like sole-source task orders.
VETS 2
The VETS 2 GWAC is a governmentwide contract that enables federal agencies to procure a broad range of IT services exclusively from Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). With a 10-year ordering period and a $6.1 billion ceiling, it supports both IT modernization and veteran entrepreneurship through a streamlined acquisition process. This contract is set to run through 2033, and the ceiling was recently raised from $5 billion to $6.1 billion.
GSA Ascend
The GSA Ascend Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is an up-and-coming governmentwide contract designed to simplify and standardize the procurement of secure cloud solutions across federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies. It encompasses three primary service pools: Infrastructure and Platform as a Service (IaaS/PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and cloud-related IT professional services, all emphasizing compliance with cybersecurity mandates, data ownership, and supply chain risk management. Access to GSA Cloud SIN 518210C is a mandatory requirement.
Alliant 2
The Alliant 2 GWAC is a Best-in-Class, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract administered by the General Services Administration (GSA), offering federal agencies comprehensive IT services and solutions, including emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain. It has an increased ceiling of $82.5 billion and an extended ordering period through June 2028. This GWAC provides flexible procurement options to support complex IT modernization efforts across the federal government. Alliant 3 is also in the works, with the first round of proposals due in April 2025.
Polaris
Polaris is a new GWAC that provides contracting opportunities for small business IT service providers. GSA would like Polaris to increase the number of IT contractors, make emerging technologies easier to provide and purchase, simplify proposal requirements, and improve the overall customer experience.
Polaris has 3 contract pools set aside specifically for:
- Small businesses
- HUBZone businesses
- Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB)
NASA SEWP VI
NASA SEWP (Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement) VI is focused on IT products and services. SEWP VI is expected to build on the strengths of the past vehicles with an emphasis on emerging technologies and small business participation. Following a recent Executive Order aimed at centralizing IT procurement, GSA has announced plans to assume management of SEWP VI in the future, aligning it with other major IT-focused GWACs under its oversight. This means the source selection and awards for NASA SEWP VI are still in the works as GSA plans to take the vehicle over.
Interested in GWACs and Selling to the Government?
If you are interested in getting on a GWAC, you should keep your eye out for new openings for upcoming GWACs as well as onboarding opportunities for any active GWACs. I would also recommend joining the Small Business GWAC Community of Interest in GSA Interact, which includes a constant discussion of current and upcoming GSA GWACs, especially Polaris.
You may also want to check the websites specific to each GWAC, as the teams behind these GWACs sometimes hold webinars and other relevant events. If you are interested in learning more about your opportunities for taking advantage of government contracting vehicles, reach out to Winvale today and we would be happy to discuss your potential.
