The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is deeply committed to supporting small businesses, recognizing them as the backbone of our economy and a critical component of innovation and growth. GSA contract vehicles provide small businesses with unprecedented opportunities to compete for federal contracts, helping them to expand their capabilities, grow their operations, and contribute significantly to the nation’s economic vitality. By facilitating streamlined procurement processes and offering dedicated support, GSA ensures that small businesses can effectively meet the needs of agencies while achieving their own business goals. This commitment not only drives agency success but also fosters a diverse, resilient, and dynamic IT industry that benefits all.
The 8(a) STARS III GWAC exemplifies this effort. As the contract approaches its 1,000th task order, it’s a great time to highlight the remarkable achievements of this contract vehicle and the significant benefits it provides to federal agencies and small businesses alike. This milestone underscores the impactful contributions of our industry partners and the vital role 8(a) STARS III plays in advancing agency missions through innovative IT solutions.
Enabling agency success
8(a) STARS III is designed to provide federal agencies with innovative IT services solutions from highly qualified 8(a) small businesses. The contract supports a broad scope of IT services, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, IT help-desk support, and more. This flexibility allows agencies to address a wide range of IT needs efficiently and effectively.
One of the key benefits of 8(a) STARS III is its streamlined procurement process. By leveraging this pre-competed contract vehicle, agencies can save time and reduce procurement costs, enabling them to focus more on mission-critical activities. Additionally, the sole-source capabilities of 8(a) STARS III enable faster acquisitions and provide direct access to small disadvantaged businesses, enhancing efficiency and promoting socio-economic goals.
What our customers are saying
The success of 8(a) STARS III is a testament to the capabilities and innovation of our industry partners. Here are some real quotes from our recent customer survey that highlight the positive impact of this contract:
- Standardization and compliance: “The 8(a) STARS III standardized labor categories, established labor rates, and pre-negotiated terms and conditions streamlined the acquisition process and helped to ensure compliance and reduce risk. Also, the step-by-step ordering instructions and the links to tools and resources on the website were an added benefit that were comprehensive and easily accessible.”
- Ease of use: “STARS III was very easy to utilize. The list of industry partners allowed me to find capable vendors, and the ordering guide allowed me to streamline my acquisition and receive RFQ responses quickly.”
- Enhanced efficiency: “The 8(a) STARS III sole source authority helped me streamline my acquisition and save time.”
- Support for Small Business: “We needed an expedited award to a small business. 8(a) STARS III accomplished this with great rates!”
Achieving socio-economic goals
In addition to providing top-notch IT solutions, 8(a) STARS III plays a crucial role in helping agencies achieve their socio-economic goals. By awarding task orders to 8(a) small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs), agencies can support small business growth and help meet the President’s goal of increasing the share of federal contracting dollars going to SDBs to 15% by FY2025. This contract vehicle not only drives agency success but also fosters a diverse and resilient IT industry.
The 8(a) STARS III GWAC is designated as a Best-in-Class contract by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), further affirming its value and effectiveness in meeting government-wide IT needs. This designation reflects the contract’s high standards, competitive pricing, and ability to deliver quality solutions.
Looking ahead
As we approach this significant milestone, we remain committed to supporting our agency partners and industry stakeholders. The continued success of 8(a) STARS III is a shared achievement, made possible by the dedication and expertise of our industry partners. We look forward to building on this momentum and driving further innovations in IT procurement.
Visit our website to learn more about GSA’s 8(a) STARS III or use our IT Solutions Navigator to find the vehicle that’s right for you.
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