Month: July 2023

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Working on a critical acquisition? Start with GSA’s Market Research as a Service

Before making a mission-critical acquisition, agencies can save time and resources in finding compliant suppliers, capabilities, competition levels and more to understand the market landscape. GSA’s Market Research as a Service (MRAS) conveniently delivers meaningful market data at no cost to federal, state, and local agencies.

How does MRAS work with agencies?

Through FAR Part 10-compliant Requests for Information (RFIs), sources sought, industry days, and advanced product research, MRAS collects data to help customers understand where their need fits within the GSA governmentwide marketplace.

MRAS experts partner with federal, state, and local agencies to create customized RFIs and help agencies shape their overall acquisition strategy with a thorough, tailored market research report. These services are available at no cost and can be completed typically in two weeks or less.

Record of success with MRAS

In three years, MRAS has conducted over 3,000 RFIs for customers, including more than 25% specifically for IT Category Special Item Numbers (SIN) on the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS).

Top customers served:

  • U.S. Air Force
  • U.S. Army
  • U.S. Navy

Better techniques, better results, Best in Class

The MRAS team uses extensive technology tools and the latest research techniques to generate the best information for customers, and generates a list of vetted, Best in Class GSA industry partners who can fulfill a customer’s unique requirements. The team also works closely with GSA’s talented Customer Service Directors (CSD) to research and review the category, SIN, or contract that best meets the customer’s requirements while following applicable compliance guidelines and maximizing resources.

Customers can review the results of their MRAS request with a member of GSA’s CSD team to answer questions and consider next steps.

Recently, the MRAS team produced a market research report for a multimillion-dollar Department of Defense (DOD) project at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. and Fort Irwin, Calif. In less than two weeks, the team identified more than 40 potential sources. DOD ultimately found a winning match on the MAS IT professional services SIN.

GSA’s MRAS – Your free resource to start your agency’s successful acquisition journey

GSA’s MRAS offers customers invaluable help through a key component of the acquisition process. MRAS helps agencies make informed acquisition decisions precisely and efficiently. Contact MRAS to learn more and get started today.

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Celebrating two years of 8(a) STARS III

8(a) STARS III officially launched two years ago this month, and it’s worth celebrating this important anniversary milestone. This governmentwide contract has really hit the ground running, and I couldn’t be more proud of its success in helping agencies achieve their missions. I’d like to share why we are so happy with this program.

Supporting the mission of government

8(a) STARS III is a competitively awarded, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity governmentwide acquisition contract (GWAC) set aside for participants in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program. 8(a) STARS III is GSA’s fourth-generation 8(a) GWAC and continues the legacy of creating opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses while helping federal agencies meet their socioeconomic goals and mission-critical IT requirements. 

STARS III delivers opportunities to more than a thousand 8(a) businesses and drives progress on important public policy objectives, including the President’s Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government as we work to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Phased award approach

We awarded cohort one of 8(a) STARS III in June 2021 to 448 industry partners. Then awards for cohort two were announced in February 2022 to nearly 600 additional awardees. The third and final cohort award happened in June 2022 for an additional 65 awardees – just one year ago.

Traditionally, we made awards in one batch, but with 8(a) STARS III, we reinvented the award process. Using an innovative cohort approach, we gave 8(a) firms additional opportunities by allowing initially unsuccessful offerors a second and third chance. 145 of these cohort two and three industry partners have received task order awards proving that they can be successful if given an opportunity.

Major success

In just two years, 8(a) STARS III secured $1 billion in obligations through 600 task order awards to 309 small disadvantaged businesses. Notability, 177 of them have never had a task order award through GSA before. That’s incredible and really shows how 8(a) STARS III is building opportunities for the community. 

Agencies adopting 8(a) STARS III

37 federal agencies have already put their faith in the contract with an award, and more than 2,656 acquisition professionals from 54 agencies have signed up and received their delegation of procurement authority training. 

Those agencies are leveraging the contract for a variety of IT Services to meet their mission, including help desk support, database administration, emerging technologies, custom software and applications development, systems integration, and cybersecurity solutions to secure the enterprise.

Hand-in-hand with industry

This doesn’t happen all by itself. We’ve worked hard to build meaningful relationships with these small businesses through one-on-one engagement, monthly snapshot newsletters for awardees, video tutorials, and even through our new GSA Does That podcast. We’ve also created an 8(a) STARS III Resource Center where our industry partners can find just about everything that they need to be successful.

Empowering small businesses

Again, I couldn’t be more proud of 8(a) STARS III as we empower disadvantaged small businesses to deliver mission-critical IT services to the government. Visit our website to learn more about www.gsa.gov/stars3.

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Alliant 2 GWAC: Empowering businesses, large and small

We recently announced that we exercised the option on the Alliant 2 Governmentwide Acquisition Contract. This is important because it will allow Alliant 2 to continue delivering cutting-edge technology solutions for federal agencies. What’s equally important is how Alliant 2 has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to small businesses. I’d like to take a moment to highlight the outstanding performance of Alliant 2 in exceeding small business subcontracting goals, fostering diversity, and propelling economic growth.

Committed to small business

Alliant 2 has set new benchmarks by surpassing our small business subcontracting goals. The contract achieved an impressive overall small business subcontracting goals rate of 55.5 percent in option year five. This noteworthy accomplishment not only exceeds the target goal of 50 percent, but also showcases the program’s dedication to supporting small businesses.

The commitment to small business subcontracting through Alliant 2 has resulted in a substantial economic impact. Cumulatively to date, the contract has facilitated an impressive $2.67 billion for overall small business subcontracting. This remarkable figure highlights the significant role played by small businesses in delivering innovative IT solutions to federal agencies.

Further, Alliant 2 has promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion within the federal marketplace. It exceeded the goals in Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) categories, achieving rates of 25 percent and 26 percent, respectively. Additionally, Alliant 2 has made notable progress in the HUBZone, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) categories. HUBZone achieved 10 percent, VOSB achieved an impressive 20 percent, and SDVOSB reached 13 percent – each individually exceeding their respective 3 percent goal.

Empowering small businesses

The success of Alliant 2 in meeting and exceeding subcontracting goals demonstrates its commitment to empowering small businesses. By providing subcontracting opportunities, the program enables small businesses to contribute their expertise, gain valuable experience, and thrive within the federal marketplace. Through Alliant 2, small businesses have the chance to showcase their capabilities and play a vital role in delivering innovative IT solutions to federal agencies.

Alliant 2’s support of small businesses demonstrates our dedication to fostering economic growth and promoting diversity within the federal marketplace. By empowering small businesses, the program paves the way for innovation, collaboration, and increased efficiency.

For more information, visit gsa.gov/alliant2.

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