8a stars

Among the many different contract vehicles the government offers for purchasing a variety of products and service, 8(a) STARS II is a small business dream- for information technology firms. This Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) provides a large and diverse pool IT contractors for the government to award direct task orders for up to $4 million dollars. Imagine, shortening or even avoiding the bidding and proposal process all together.

Contractors must fall under the one or more of the following functional areas to be considered:

1.       Customer computer programming services (NAICS 541511)

2.       Computer systems design services (NAICS 541512)

3.       Computer facilities management services (NAICS 541513)

4.       Other computer related services (NAICS 541519)

There’s a broad spectrum to choose from!

Federal agencies are continually being encouraged to utilize 8(a) business and the DoD has called out 8(a) Stars by name as a great way for agencies to meet small business goals while obtaining the necessary information technology services. The program has a $10 billion dollar ceiling and is available to all agencies.

The process for applying to be on the 8(a) Stars GWAC contains quite a bit of paperwork and information that will need to be submitted. Those contractors who have GSA schedules know what we are talking. You’ll need to provide pricing data, company information, understand all the terms and conditions, as well as proving your company’s technical expertise and experience.

The 8(a) Stars II GWAC is set to be released in the spring of 2015 and will be open for application. You can check out the original contract on FBO (see link below) and start planning ahead. The open season will start at the release of the new solicitation and make sure you check out our other social media for the exact release date! We’ll let you know when it’s available.

FBO link to original 8(a) Stars: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=db6d7c2fcc7d3be50ebcdedefa1139eb&tab=core&_cview=1

GSA 8(a) Stars Info:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/105243

More information on functional areas:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/208177#fa1

What to do about the GSA sales requirement

As a GSA Contractor you have felt the breathe of your contracting officer on the back of your neck when you're not or barely meeting your sales requirement of $25,000 a year. So what do you do about it?Well it depends on how many years in you are and whether or not you have made any progress.

If you receive that dreaded letter asking you what you have been doing to increase your GSA sales then you need to respond with a very compelling argument as to why you should get an extension. If you have been making a good faith effort and you have seen nothing in return chances are you will get that extension. If you honestly have not put much effort into it than say that! But, back it up with a good plan of how you will be moving forward. This should include the efforts you will make to market your GSA Contract to the Federal Agencies.

So this sounds great in theory but you have been unsuccessful in the past what will be different? You will! Whether you need to hire a firm that will assist with some of the steps or if you just need to hunker down and make it happen. The very thing that you need to do is come up with a plan.

A good GSA Marketing plan, yes those do exist, include a snap shot of the market. You're probably saying that you know who you competition is, but have you really done an in depth comparison before? You should also know what your target market is, what agencies purchase your products or services the most and who are the people within that agency do you need to talk to? Once you are armed with this information you can start your action plan. The 4 P's (Product, Price, Place and Promotion) still exist in the government market. So create your plan around them.

This is a lot of work and a lot of time and effort, but it will pay off in the end. If you want a little push on getting started schedule an appointment for our free market analysis which will get you started on knowing your competition and target market.
Click here to schedule yours today: http://government-contract-services.reservio.com/