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

Alliant Small Business II GWAC

Alliant Small Business governmentwide acquisition contact (GWAC) exercised its final option in February of this year, extending the contract until February 2, 2019 and the GSA is already hard at work, figuring out the direction of Alliant II Small Business.

Alliant is considered to be GSA’s premier small business information technology GWAC and helps provide the government with the largest pool of customized, cutting-edge IT solutions. Alliant has allowed for long-term planning of large, high tech IT projects, all the while making sure that small businesses are reaping the benefits of the innovation that they are creating.

Alliant II is already being discussed in detail on GSA Interact (https://interact.gsa.gov/group/alliant-ii-alliant-ii-small-business-gwacs). Important discussions about Product Service Codes and Labor Categories are already in happening. The GSA allows possible contractors to comment and discuss how Alliant II can improve on the original, taking those ideas and incorporating them into the RFP. If you are interested in Alliant II, make sure you get on GSA Interact and voice your opinion!

There hasn’t been a date set for the release of a draft RFP or an actual RFP but the GSA wants the input of small business to make sure that this GWAC is doing exactly what’s it meant to do!

For more information on GWACs in general, check out- http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/25281

For more information on ALLIANT small business (current) - http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/25302

For more information on ALLIANT II (upcoming)- http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/183035

-Sonya Nudel