Another contract vehicle is on the horizon for government contractors—GSA has created a new services Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) to replace OASIS. Formerly named Services Multi-Agency Contract (MAC) and more recently dubbed as OASIS+, this contract vehicle will support GSA’s Federal Acquisition (FAS) Office of Professional Services and Human Capital Categories (PSHC), and will include small business set-asides. GSA has slowly been releasing draft sections, but the final Requests for Proposals (RFPs) were released in June 2023 and they are due September 13. So here’s what we know about the contract vehicle, including the reasoning behind its creation, its scope, and anticipated release dates.
What is GSA’s OASIS +?
OASIS + is set to replace GSA’s One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) contract vehicle (also why GSA is calling it OASIS+). Although it's not meant to replace OASIS exactly, it's expected to have the same functions as OASIS and more. As mentioned above, this new contract vehicle will be a IDIQ, meaning it will provide an indefinite quantity of services for a fixed time.
OASIS + was introduced by the GSA Office of Professional Services and Human Capital (PSHC). Similar to OASIS, the primary purpose of OASIS + is to give government agencies easy and efficient access to innovative services from highly qualified businesses. However, OASIS + is set to be broader and more flexible which we’ll cover below.
Why is GSA Creating a New Contract Vehicle?
While OASIS is considered a success, it’s set to sunset in 2024, and GSA wants to make sure there is a contract vehicle to take its place. OASIS + will build on the strengths of OASIS, however, GSA aims to make OASIS+ a flexible, dynamic contract vehicle that addresses federal agencies’ needs better.
OASIS+ is intended to support complex services while also eliminating duplicate contracts. Duplicate contracts can drive acquisition costs up and in turn negatively affect small business contractors, so this new vehicle is expected to be beneficial for small businesses and improve government management on spend, contract, and subcontract performance.
Based on recent market research and historical spend, the demand for complex services in specific categories (which we’ll cover below) will increase, and GSA wants a contract vehicle to meet these needs. OASIS+ is also designed to complement the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) streamlined and effective practices but will not duplicate MAS.
What Do We Know About GSA’s OASIS+?
OASIS+ is intended to create a more efficient buying experience that will allow all contract pricing types (fixed price, time and material, cost reimbursement, and hybrid), as well as non-commercial services or a mix of commercial and non-commercial services. Once the initial round of contractors are awarded, GSA wants to create an opportunity for new industry partners to routinely onboard. This means all caps on the numbers of awards will be eliminated.
While originally intending to only award under one contract, after further market research, GSA intends to solicit and award 6 separate IDIQ contracts under the following categories, also referred to as contract families:
- 8(a) Small Business
- HUBZone Small Business
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- Small Business
- Women-Owned Small Business
- Unrestricted
Scope of OASIS+
The contract vehicle’s scope is organized by Domains which make it easier for government agencies, because when they are ready to issue a task order solicitation, they will select the contract family (listed above) first, and then the Domain that meets their needs. Each Domain will have a list of North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Codes Codes to choose from.
For Small Business contracts, the primary NAICS assigned will be based on the largest size standard. For Unrestricted contracts, the primary NAICS assigned will be based on the smallest size standard.
Domains refer to the functional groupings of related services spanning multiple NAICS. GSA will add new Domains based off data information assessments and needs, but the currently identified Domains are listed below.
Multiple Domains will be assigned to this contract vehicle and each Domain is limited to the NAICS Codes specifically outlined.
The current Domains for both Unrestricted and Small Businesses are:
- Management & Advisory
- Technical & Engineering
- Research & Development
- Intelligence Services
- Environmental
- Facilities
- Logistics
The final Domain, Enterprise Solutions, is for the Unrestricted pool only.
GSA may also introduce new Domains if it's in the best interest of the government. For example, if there is a need to satisfy gaps in Best-in-Class (BIC) solutions or anticipated demand changes. For Phase 2, the proposed Domains are:
- Financial Services
- Business Administration
- Human Capital
- Marketing & PR
- Social Services
A full list of the current Domains and their corresponding NAICS Codes/capabilities can be found on SAM.gov.
Features of OASIS+
OASIS+ is anticipated to have the following features:
- Flexible Domain-based structure
- Open on-ramping after initial awards
- 10-year ordering period
- No evaluation of price at the IDIQ level
- No ceiling and no cap on awards
- Streamlined ordering
- Technology based ordering and market research tools
- Global access to commercial and noncommercial services
Adjustments to the OASIS + Final RFPs
GSA has recently made adjustments to the final RFPs based on the second draft RFPs. Some of the changes include:
- Attachment J.P-1 Representations and Certifications was removed, the OASIS+ submission portal will facilitate reps and certs, so this attachment is no longer necessary.
- The Period of Performance strategy was revised to reflect one five-year base period and one five-year option period that may extend the cumulative term of the contract to 10 years.
- Added requirement that for offers from SBA Mentor-Protégé joint ventures, a minimum of one Relevant Qualifying Project (QP) must be from the protégé or the offering Mentor-Protégé joint venture.
- A requirement was added to submit cost/price as an evaluation factor in Section L.5.7. Evaluation criteria for cost/price can be found at Section M.8.
OASIS+ RFPs Update
As of now, all of the OASIS+ RFPs are due on September 13, 2023. Offerors may now start building proposal submissions and see live scoring. On July 5, GSA issued an amendment for all six OASIS+ RFPs on SAM.gov, which includes changes to two RFP attachments and clarifies past performance.
Keeping an Eye On Future Contracting Opportunities
We know it can be simultaneously exciting and overwhelming to sift through and monitor all the contracting opportunities available to you as a GSA contractor, especially new contract vehicles. We are keeping a close eye on the future final RFP, and you can follow along for more information on our blog and our monthly newsletter. You can also check out the GSA Interact OASIS+ page for routine updates.
In the meantime, you can focus on making sure your GSA contract is updated, and you are implementing good marketing practices. If you want to search for active opportunities, check out our blog on “How to Find Government Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov.” Make sure your GSA Schedule is managed properly from sales reporting to modifications, in our blog, “How to Maintain Your GSA Schedule Contract: An Essential Checklist.”
Of course, our consultants are here to help if you want to pursue OASIS+ or other contract vehicles, or if you need help managing your GSA Schedule.
