Every Veterans Day, we pause to honor the men and women who answered the call to serve our nation. We recognize their sacrifice, their courage, and their commitment to a mission greater than themselves.
But for many Veterans, that commitment to service does not end when they leave the military.
Across the federal marketplace, Veteran entrepreneurs are continuing their mission by helping agencies modernize technology, strengthen cybersecurity, embrace emerging technologies, and deliver better services to the American people.
At GSA, we are proud to help create opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses to bring their experience, innovation, and mission-focused leadership to federal agencies.
Two pathways. One commitment to SDVOSBs
GSA’s Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), the Veterans Technology Services 2 (VETS 2) and the Polaris SDVOSB Pool, provide agencies with powerful acquisition pathways to access the capabilities of the SDVOSB community.
VETS 2 continues to play an important role in connecting federal agencies with highly qualified SDVOSBs for IT services and IT services-based solutions.
With a $6.1 billion ceiling, VETS 2 is a Best-in-Class GWAC exclusively set aside for SDVOSBs. Its scope supports a broad range of IT requirements, including new and emerging technologies.
The VETS 2 ordering period runs through February 22, 2028, and task orders may continue performance through February 22, 2033.
In FY26, VETS 2 continued delivering results for federal agencies and opportunities for the SDVOSB community. During FY26, VETS 2 saw 18 new task order awards representing an estimated total value of $225 million, with annual obligations reaching $574 million. This brings the cumulative total since contract inception to 278 task orders, valued at an estimated $5 billion, with $3 billion in total obligations. To support agency execution, GSA hosted 26 training sessions throughout FY26, educating more than 1,427 federal buyers and issuing 425 new Delegations of Procurement Authority (DPAs).
Those numbers represent more than contract activity. Behind each task order is an opportunity for a Veteran-owned business to apply its expertise toward solving a federal agency’s mission challenge.
Polaris expands the opportunity
This Veterans Day marks an exciting new chapter in our commitment to support SDVOSB companies.
In previous years, we talked about the opportunities Polaris would create for SDVOSBs. Today, those opportunities are here. The Polaris SDVOSB Pool is open and ready for business!
It provides federal agencies another dedicated pathway to acquire customized IT services and IT services-based solutions from SDVOSBs.
The pool currently includes 44 industry partners with capabilities spanning cybersecurity, cloud computing, data management, artificial intelligence, software development, systems design, IT operations and maintenance, and other emerging technology needs. We plan to have 70 industry partners on board when we complete all awards.
Federal agencies may now issue task orders through the Polaris SDVOSB Pool, providing greater access to the innovation and expertise these businesses bring to the federal marketplace.
For agencies, Polaris provides flexibility to address complex and evolving IT requirements. For SDVOSBs, it creates another opportunity to compete for federal IT work and continue contributing to the missions of the government they once served in uniform.
From military service to mission delivery
Veterans bring a unique perspective to the federal marketplace.
They understand the mission.
They understand what it means to adapt when circumstances change, lead through uncertainty, work as a team, and deliver when the stakes are high.
Those same qualities are increasingly important as federal agencies confront rapidly evolving technology challenges.
Whether supporting cybersecurity operations, modernizing legacy systems, advancing cloud adoption, improving data capabilities, or helping agencies bring in new technologies, SDVOSBs are making meaningful contributions to federal missions.
GSA is proud to help make those connections possible.
Helping agencies get started
Providing strong contract vehicles is only part of our mission. We also want to ensure federal acquisition professionals have the knowledge and resources they need to use them effectively.
GSA continues to provide Delegation of Procurement Authority training and acquisition resources for both VETS 2 and Polaris.
For warranted contracting officers, completing the applicable DPA training is an important step toward using these GWACs to meet agency IT requirements.
We encourage acquisition professionals to explore upcoming training opportunities and learn how VETS 2 and Polaris can support their agencies’ IT missions.
The mission continues
Our commitment to Veterans is not limited to one day each November.
Through VETS 2, the Polaris SDVOSB Pool, and our broader efforts to support small businesses in the federal IT marketplace, GSA is working to ensure Veteran entrepreneurs have opportunities to compete, innovate, grow, and continue serving their country.
To our Veterans:
Thank you for your service in uniform. Thank you for the leadership and experience you bring to our communities and businesses. Additionally, thank you to the Veteran entrepreneurs who continue answering the call by helping federal agencies accomplish their missions.
Your service helped shape our nation.
Your innovation is helping shape the future of federal IT.
Learn more about VETS 2 and Polaris, and follow GSA.gov/events for available training and acquisition resources.