Where to Find IT Solutions Through GWACs

Information Technology (IT) is a crucial part of our daily lives, no matter what industry we are in. Nearly all communication depends on it, whether it be casual such as chatting with friends, professional at work, or confidential. It holds up our websites, databases, and entire programs and structures that we depend on every day. This is not news to anyone, and especially not to IT contractors.

If your company offers IT solutions and you are looking to expand your opportunities, you may be wondering what your options are for selling to the federal government. One major way government agencies purchase IT services is through Government Wide Acquisition Contracts, more commonly known as GWACs. There are several GWACs in the federal contracting space, especially for GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contractors, so in this blog we’ll talk about the different options and what the landscape looks like for IT services.

Background on GWACs and IT Solutions

This fall, Laura Stanton, the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Information Technology Category (ITC), published a blog for the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month recapping and summarizing the latest moves and visions from the government's side of the industry and the industry as a whole. In this blog, Stanton specifically outlined GSA’s role in helping agencies meet their IT goals and security needs and the important role GSA Schedules have played, especially when it comes to Cyber Strategies and implementation plans. This is because GSA facilitates several current and upcoming GWACs that support IT services.

(To learn more about IT and the federal government, we suggest you read the blog in full titled, "The Cybersecurity Battleground" to make sure you are up to date on everything the ITC wants you to know.)

Different GWACS Offering IT Solutions

With so much counting on the Information Technology Category functions running smoothly, GSA has developed more than a few GWACs where the government can buy the latest IT solutions from programs organized based on small business set-asides as well as a mix of large (other than small) and small contractors. GWACs were created with the idea of government agencies getting more efficient and streamlined access to critical IT solutions.

Let’s discuss some relevant GWACs that would be of interest to IT contractors.

8(a) STARS III

 This small business set-aside GWAC is focused on providing IT services from 8(a) industry partners’ services like cyber risk assessments, penetration testing, and security assessment reports. According to Laura Stanton, “8(a) STARS III has 23 task orders with an estimated value of more than $141.8 million for cyber-related activities.” She follows this by noting that some of the biggest users of these cybersecurity services through the program are predictably the Department of Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security.

This contract vehicle is not currently acquiring new contractors, but there’s a possibility to on-ramp more in the future. If you would like to learn more, check out GSA’s 8(a) STARS III page.

Alliant 2

This GWAC is home to some of the most innovative IT fields such as artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, and robotic process automation. It is now a streamlined process to ease access for all sides. This IDIQ contract aligns with U.S. Federal Enterprise Architecture and Department of Defense Architecture and GSA has stressed the communication that agencies utilizing Alliant 2 will be able to receive small business set-aside credit at the task order level. This contract vehicle is not currently on-ramping new contractors after the extension, but rather GSA is developing a follow-on GWAC we will discuss next.

Alliant 3

This GWAC has not yet been released, but once it is up it will be able to support federal digital transformation efforts. This is an upcoming opportunity that IT contractors should keep their eye on and evaluate for relevance.

After Alliant 2 was extended, the Alliant 3 final Request for Proposal (RFP) release was pushed back until first quarter in 2024. Once it is released, it will cover the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes

• Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
• Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
• Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
• Computer Facilities Management Services (541513)
• Other Computer-Related Services (541519)

Currently, GSA has recently released the second draft RFP for review. This is solely for market research purposes, but GSA is soliciting public comments to take into consideration for the final RFP. For updates and more information, check out the Alliant 3 GWAC Community of Interest.

Polaris

A multiple-award IDIQ, this focuses on the set-asides for Small Business, Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs), HUBZone Businesses, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). Polaris streamlines access for these classifications as it hosts Special Item Numbers (SINS) involved in customized information technology services and IT service-based solutions and streamlines.

According to GSA’s Polaris page, they are currently looking into expanding their industry base to reach more contractors. If this may potentially benefit your company, check out the GSA-provided Polaris Coming Soon Brochure.

Currently, Polaris is facing two protests regarding recent changes to GSA’s Amendment 9 with the first focusing around their mentor-protégé and Joint Venture (JV) policies. The fairness of Amendment 9 is being called into question by Akima Data Management over the ability of JVs being able to submit revised experience examples within their self-scoring proposal. The second protest is by Absolute Strategic Technologies, this one being centered around added limitations for revisions of what has already been submitted including changes to cost and price.

In November 2023, GSA has released amendments for the WOSB, SDVOSB , and HUBZone pools. More information can be found on GSA’s site.

VETS 2

This one is specifically a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB) Small Business GWAC with some of its biggest cybersecurity customers being the Department of Treasury, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Army. It is comprised of 10 task orders like IT Security Risk Management Framework and Assessment and Authorization Services. Like many of the others, this one also has a five-year base period with one five-year option period. While it is not actively acquiring new contractors, there could be more opportunities in the future.

Want to Know More about Selling Your IT Services?

In addition to these GWACs, your GSA Schedule contract whether you have one already or are looking into getting one is a great place to offer your IT solutions through Large Category F. You can also use your GSA Schedule to acquire additional contracts such as any of the active GWACs above.

If you would like to learn more about these GWACs above, please visit some of the links provided above, reach out to our consultants here at Winvale, or check out our blogs such as, “What Are Government Contract Vehicles?” or Government Contract Vehicles Every Small Business Should Know About. If you want to learn more about getting a GSA Schedule, or need assistance maintaining your current contract, we would be happy to help you.