Category: IT Services

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Terrestrial connectivity problem? Meet GSA’s satellite solutions.

Problem: Meeting the need for reliable and flexible connectivity

The digital landscape and the federal IT market are extremely fast-paced and ever-evolving; federal agencies require robust, flexible, and reliable connectivity solutions to maintain their operations seamlessly, regardless of location. Even more critical are remote or emergency situations where traditional broadband solutions may fall short. Many agencies face such challenges, needing reliable connectivity for maritime and remote operations. This is one way GSA’s goals of simplifying federal procurement processes helps ensure agencies get what they need and deliver for the American people.

Solution: Leveraging Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites through EIS

LEO satellites’ recent innovations have made them more affordable and accessible. Closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, LEO satellites offer faster response times and more reliable data exchange, both essential to maritime and remote operations.

One great example hits close to home. GSA is also our customer, and the agency uses our solutions. My team collaborated with GSA’s Chief Information Officer to integrate LEO satellite services as part of their Software Defined – Wide Area Network solution to provide high speed connectivity for remote locations, as well as alternate connectivity in a potential emergency situation. Working through the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract vehicle, we helped the organization get the necessary equipment and services. This partnership shows how GSA’s EIS can transform modern IT solutions.

“We’re focused on providing a secure, forward-leaning work environment where we can accomplish our mission regardless of location or emergency situation,” said Erika Dinnie, associate CIO at GSA’s Office of Digital Infrastructure Technologies.

“We streamlined our network, eliminated bottlenecks, incorporated software-defined networking to simplify network management, and implemented a zero trust security posture.”

Enhanced operational efficiency and real-time data exchange

By deploying a SD-WAN that includes LEO satellite services, agencies can revolutionize their operations, allowing for cost-effective, real-time data exchange from remote, airborne and maritime locations. This enhances GSA’s ability to efficiently monitor and respond to environmental changes and emergencies. Agencies can get game-changing real-time data exchange. 

Successfully implementing through EIS highlights the contract vehicle’s flexibility and shows the practical benefits of adopting cutting-edge technology to meet mission-critical needs.

Why agencies should consider LEO services

LEO satellites offer many advantages for federal, state, local and tribal agencies, especially those operating in remote areas or requiring reliable backup solutions. Key benefits include:

  • Faster response time: Due to their lower altitude, LEO satellites transmit data quicker and suffer lower latency than other satellite services.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Innovations and increased competition have made LEO solutions more affordable than ever.
  • Reliable connectivity: LEO is ideal for remote or underserved areas where traditional broadband services are unavailable or unreliable.
  • Scalability and flexibility: Agencies can easily scale services based on their needs, ensuring uninterrupted operations.

Acquiring LEO and SD-WAN services through EIS or MAS IT

Agencies looking to use LEO satellite solutions or enhance their network infrastructure with SD-WAN can use GSA’s EIS and Multiple Award Schedule IT contracts.

EIS Contract Vehicle

  • Offers a comprehensive suite of services, including LEO satellite integration and SD-WAN architecture.
  • Simplifies the procurement process with pre-vetted vendors and streamlined acquisition procedures.
  • Provides cost savings through aggregated federal buying and increased competition among suppliers​​​​.

MAS-IT

  • Agencies can purchase satellite communication services through the COMSATCOM Special Item Number 517410.
  • Provides a wide array of IT products and services, including managed network services and cloud-based solutions​​​​.

Expert support and resources

GSA’s Solutions Brokers can help agencies navigate the acquisition process and select the best solutions to meet their specific needs. They provide technical consultation, scope reviews and solicitation templates to ensure a smooth and efficient procurement process​​​​.

Interested in learning more? Please watch our recent webinar about GSA’s LEO satellite solutions, as part of our Executive Education Series. The event featured GSA’s satellite and mobility subject matter experts and a special guest calling in live from Utqiagvik, Alaska! Slides from the presentation are available below for download.

Slides for November 6, 2024 Low Earth Orbit with Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions CLP Class 508 ReviewedDownload

Please follow us on LinkedIn to join our ongoing conversations about government IT. To receive updates for this blog, subscribe to GSA email updates and select “Great Government For Technology”.

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Empowering Veterans in Federal IT

On this Veterans Day, I want to extend my gratitude and thanks to all our Veterans for their service and dedication. Their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, and I am grateful for the courage and resilience they’ve shown in defending our freedoms. They exemplify the qualities that empower our nation to overcome its greatest challenges. We honor you today and every day.

GSA partners with Veterans

GSA remains committed to championing Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) in the federal IT space. Through ITC’s Multiple Award Schedule – IT (MAS-IT), as well as the Veterans Technology Services 2 (VETS 2) and 8(a) STARS III Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC), we are proud to offer opportunities for hundreds of SDVOSBs who bring specialized expertise to federal IT solutions.

Notably, while SDVOSBs have a range of opportunities across the federal marketplace, VETS 2 continues to be the government’s only GWAC exclusively reserved for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned firms.

In FY 24, the VETS 2 team raised the contract ceiling by $1.1 billion, bringing it to a total of $6.1 billion. This boost ensures the future of the VETS 2 GWAC. It also strengthens the federal government’s ability to achieve its socioeconomic goals by providing expanded opportunities for SDVOSBs in the IT sector through this Best-in-Class (BIC) contract vehicle. 

With this new capacity, federal agencies now have access to up to $1.1 billion in new contract awards, reaffirming GSA’s commitment to supporting SDVOSBs. 

As of September 2024, VETS 2 has seen more than 230 task orders awarded, with over $1.95 billion in obligated sales and a total estimated sales value exceeding $3.8 billion.

The VETS 2 team has been hard at work training government agencies to use VETS 2, with more than 3,000 customers trained so far. Sign up for upcoming training.

This year, the team also created a “VETS 2 Delegation of Procurement Authority (DPA) Training” YouTube video, so customers have one more option to learn about the VETS 2 GWAC. You can access that video here.

SDVOSBs bringing real mission impact

Last year at this time, I shared several examples of the great work of our Veteran partners.  I’m happy to bring a fresh one this year:

GSA’s Assisted Acquisition Services recently awarded a $256M order on behalf of a DoD agency against VETS 2 to provide IT support services to encompass all U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Through these IT support services, the SDVOSB will fill the agency’s need to provide the personnel, services and supplies necessary to provide IT support services to all USSOCOM, both CONUS and OCONUS.

Veterans drive forward

Our dedication to SDVOSBs goes beyond our current contracts. Polaris, our next small business GWAC, will feature an SDVOSB pool. Polaris is designed to help agencies secure tailored IT services and solutions while opening new doors for SDVOSB firms. For the latest updates, keep an eye on our Small Business Community of Practice Interact page.

I’m thankful for the strong collaboration we share with our SDVOSBs and for their unwavering commitment to supporting agency missions. The future looks bright, and I’m eager to see where this partnership takes us next.Visit our website to learn more about VETS 2, MAS-IT, and Polaris or use our IT Solutions Navigator to find the vehicle that’s right for you.

Please follow us on Twitter @GSA_ITC and LinkedIn to join our ongoing conversations about government IT.

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Transforming Government IT Procurement: Better Contracting Initiative Priority 2

As part of our ongoing efforts to modernize government IT procurement and management, the Better Contracting Initiative (BCI) has been a cornerstone of our strategy at the Governmentwide IT Program Management Office. Today, I am excited to discuss the strides we are making under the BCI, particularly Priority 2, which focuses on negotiating common enterprise-wide software licenses.

We’ve embarked on a journey to streamline how our federal government procures and manages its software assets. Our new Governmentwide Acquisition Strategy initiative not only aims to enhance operational efficiencies but also to achieve substantial cost savings and increase buying efficiencies.

Strategic collaboration and enhanced efficiency

Our approach under Priority 2 of the BCI involves collaboration and strategic negotiation directly with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), which are essential in managing the government’s vast array of IT resources. By centralizing our engagement processes and encouraging industry to view government agencies as “one customer,” we are ensuring that all government agencies, large and small, benefit from the best possible terms and prices, avoiding the inefficiencies of fragmented and duplicative contract terms.

IT Vendor Management Office’s role in the Governmentwide Acquisition Strategy initiative

The IT Vendor Management Office (ITVMO) has been instrumental in this effort, spearheading direct engagements by developing partnerships with OEMs, conceptualizing solutions for governmentwide challenges, negotiating resolutions, and establishing guidelines that will serve as the benchmark for software procurement across federal agencies. The Governmentwide Acquisition Strategy initiative is truly a governmentwide endeavor.

Steps to success

The ITVMO first identifies target OEMs by soliciting quantitative and qualitative data from all 24 Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act agencies. Using analysis of governmentwide spend and the gravity of common OEM-specific challenges, the ITVMO recommends an OEM to address, which is then validated and approved by government leadership.

The ITVMO then collects contract data from all 24 CFO Act agencies and performs significant analysis on terms and pricing to identify inconsistencies and abnormalities (both good and bad). With the help of a Governmentwide Integrated Project Team, the ITVMO builds a list of best-in-class terms and target pricing to pursue via a variety of recommended solutions.

After a comprehensive review and discussion of these recommended solutions through a Civilian Service Acquisition Workshop, which further supports implementation of BCI through Prong #3 focusing on getting requirements right the first time which will avoid waste and save financial resources, the CFO Act agencies and the ITVMO works to finalize a set of governmentwide requests for the OEM.

Finally, the government engages the OEM in a collaborative fashion by walking decision-makers through the government’s challenges and recommended solutions for the purpose of cooperative adjustment and, ultimately, acceptance of our governmentwide concepts through modifications to all governmentwide acquisition vehicles so that all federal entities get the benefits of our “one customer” approach.

Consistency in contracts = Better contracting

The initiative is part of a broader effort to not only manage costs but also to ensure that the software we procure is secure, reliable, and meets the diverse needs of the federal workforce. To that end, we’ve made significant progress in identifying key areas where terms and conditions can be standardized to benefit all agencies. Our focus has been on improving license flexibility and mobility, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and implementing cost-effective pricing strategies. The feedback from various stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating strong support for a more unified approach to software licensing in the federal sector.

Looking ahead

As we continue to advance this initiative, the insights gained from our ongoing discussions and negotiations will inform our strategies, ensuring that the federal government remains a prudent and effective purchaser of IT resources. To that end, the ITVMO is putting together a guide for agency acquisitions, specific to critical OEMs, to ensure broad recognition and adoption of the best-in-class practices we learned about throughout the Governmentwide Acquisition Strategy process. The goal is not only to save money but also to improve our IT infrastructure, making it more responsive to the needs of our agencies and the public.

The Better Contracting Initiative is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in government IT procurement. With Priority 2, we are setting new standards for how the government collaborates and negotiates in the IT realm, ensuring better outcomes for all our stakeholders. Stay tuned as we continue to make strides in transforming government IT procurement for the better.

Visit our website to learn more about how ITC is addressing the BCI through the ITVMO.

Please follow us on LinkedIn to join our ongoing conversations about government IT.

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Enabling technology innovation for national security: How GSA partners with the Defense Innovation Unit

GSA’s Office of Information Technology Category (ITC) is committed to fostering innovation and driving IT modernization across the government. We work with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to accelerate the integration of cutting-edge commercial technologies into federal operations, particularly for purposes of increased national security.

Purpose of the partnership

DIU and GSA work together to quickly move successful technology prototypes into scalable solutions for the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies.

DIU focuses on solving national security challenges by engaging commercial technology providers, especially nontraditional defense contractors. By using the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process, DIU can quickly prototype and acquire dual-use technologies.

While the DIU-GSA agreement was created to encourage new-to-government industry participation, these opportunities are also open to existing GSA industry partners too. Existing GSA contract holders’ products and services may serve as a foundation, but DIU’s CSO process is geared towards prototyping technologies for potential DoD use.

Opportunities for GSA industry partners

Under the DIU-GSA partnership, GSA will move successful DIU prototype solutions to GSA contract vehicles. DoD and the broader U.S. government will be able to adopt innovative commercial technology solutions faster.

The DIU-GSA partnership streamlines access to leading-edge commercial technology. It also maximizes opportunities and minimizes barriers for small and/or underserved businesses and nontraditional vendors seeking to do business with the government.

GSA ITC has designed an onboarding process for DIU’s commercial prototype partners to pursue four potential pathways:

  • Partnership agreements: Develop partnerships as subcontractors or through joint ventures with companies on GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program.
  • Reseller agreements: Obtain reseller agreements with companies on GSA’s MAS program.
  • Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC): Consider GSA’s GWAC program during open periods.
  • GSA MAS contracts: Secure a spot on GSA MAS.

As part of its onboarding process, GSA’s ITC supports and educates DIU commercial prototype partners on how to advertise and market solutions to federal, state, and local government entities.

Also, GSA’s MAS ITC developed a pilot program to streamline the process for DIU’s commercial partners in parallel with the FASt Lane: Making It Easier initiative.

Moreover, GSA’s pilot program, Effectively Awarding & Streamlining eOffers (E.A.S.E.), launched in July 2022, provides presubmission assistance to DIU commercial partners pursuing a GSA MAS contract. This initiative aims to increase collaboration, reduce processing workload, and expedite the contract award process.

Bringing innovation to government

This collaboration between DIU and GSA is yielding tangible results. A recent milestone in this partnership is the award of a multimillion dollar contract to a MAS-IT contract holder to advance an AI-driven social media analysis tool for the U.S. Army. This is but one example that shows that this partnership results in innovation.

The awarded AI tool transforms the implicit human domain knowledge of intelligence analysts into autonomously generated knowledge graphs. These graphs show the meaning of dynamic, unstructured social media data according to user-defined ground truth. This AI-driven system enables the tool to reason, understand, learn, remember, collaborate, question, predict, decide, and act in domain-specific ways at a superhuman scale.

In another example, GSA awarded a MAS contract, within the E.A.S.E. program, to a company that designs, manufactures, and operates a fleet of unmanned/uncrewed surface vehicles or ocean-fairing drones. Before the GSA MAS contract award, the company supported DoD requirements with its innovative solutions, allowing agencies and the science community to monitor and study severe storms and hurricanes in a new way.

Since the company’s MAS award, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has used the contract vehicle to support the agency’s hurricane efforts, as well as to support the U.S. Coast Guard.

Getting involved

The DIU-GSA partnership is committed to publicizing successful technology prototypes and granting access to these innovations through the DIU’s Commercial Solutions Catalog. This catalog makes it easier for government organizations to find and procure vetted, commercially available technology solutions.

Interested companies can sign up for newsletters and new solicitation notifications on the DIU website. You can also follow ITC on LinkedIn and subscribe for blog updates.

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Celebrating a major small business milestone

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.

Please follow us on LinkedIn to join our ongoing conversations about government IT.

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Ensuring VETS 2 mission delivery

Due to its popularity as a critical tool for federal agencies that delivers faster, more compliant, and less costly IT acquisitions, GSA’s VETS 2 Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) increased its ceiling to $6.1 billion. This decision ensures the continued availability of this vital resource, supporting federal agencies in meeting their IT needs while promoting opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).

Why the increase?

The VETS 2 GWAC experienced significant growth, with current obligations nearing $3.6 billion. Projections indicate that we will reach 80% of the original ceiling ($5 billion) within this fiscal year. To maintain the contract’s viability and avoid disruptions, we are increasing the ceiling to $6.1 billion. This adjustment also aligns with the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act, which raised the governmentwide goal for SDVOSB participation from three to five percent, making the availability of VETS 2 to the federal government even more critical.

Benefits of the ceiling increase

  • Continued Support: The ceiling increase ensures that VETS 2 remains available to support federal agencies as they address the FY24 NDAA-directed SDVOSB goal increase through the end of the ordering period on February 22, 2028.
  • Avoiding Disruptions: By raising the ceiling before reaching the original limit, we can avoid the need for stringent ordering controls that could hinder the use of the contract.
  • Economic Inclusion: This move supports the administration’s goals for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, ensuring SDVOSBs have ample opportunities to participate in federal IT procurements.

VETS 2 GWAC successes

VETS 2 has proven to be a critical tool for federal agencies, with numerous high-value task orders awarded to SDVOSBs. Some notable examples include:

  • A $248 million order for IT support services for a digital infrastructure services center.
  • A $166 million order for enterprise services integration and modernization.
  • A $404 million task order for the U.S. Army Futures Command’s Enterprise Information Technology Support Services.

Looking ahead

GSA is also preparing for the next generation SDVOSB GWAC. We are currently evaluating offers under the SDVOSB Pool of the new Polaris GWAC program, which won’t have a contract ceiling. With awards expected in the next fiscal year, Polaris will continue to expand opportunities for SDVOSBs and support the evolving IT needs of federal agencies.

For more information about VETS 2, please reach out to vets2@gsa.gov.

Visit our website to learn more about VETS 2, or use our IT Solutions Navigator to find the right vehicle for you.

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Attend the 2024 Annual ITVMO Summit on June 11, 2024

Last year, the governmentwide IT Vendor Management Office (ITVMO) worked with the American Council for Technology (ACT) and Industry Advisory Council (IAC) to host the first annual government-industry ITVMO Summit. Back by popular demand, this premier in-person event is the gathering place for anyone involved in the Federal IT Marketplace.

From government procurement officials, to industry IT solution providers, to small businesses and more, this is where we come together to review best practices, discuss new solutions, and form valuable connections. At the summit, we will decide on the next steps to take together as we build a more equitable, accessible, and secure Federal IT Marketplace.

This year we have a PACCKed agenda, where you’ll gain access to:

  • Peer networking
  • Actionable insights
  • Community building
  • 4 Continuous Learning Points (CLP) for eligible attendees
  • Knowledge of the latest resources and advances

Bringing together government and industry, this year’s 2024 Annual ITVMO Summit will focus on uniting technology, people, and processes to transform Federal IT acquisitions.

We want your voice in the conversation, so register now!

If you have questions about the summit or are interested in learning more about our IT Buyers Community of Practice of the ITVMO, please contact ITVMO@gsa.gov. 

Follow ITVMO and ITC on LinkedIn and subscribe for blog updates.

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Alliant 2 Industry Partners: Meeting the Federal Government’s AI Needs

Artificial intelligence (AI) is actively transforming the way we personally and professionally complete tasks of varying complexity. Noted for its ability to enhance productivity, the AI we know today is built on decades of groundbreaking work and has many practical applications. From virtual assistants to smart automobiles to business processes and workflows, artificially intelligent systems are making our lives easier.

GSA is at the forefront of leveraging emerging technologies like AI to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of federal services for the American public. By prioritizing safety and privacy, GSA ensures that AI advancements help improve government operations while mitigating risks. GSA also plays a vital role in supporting the AI Executive Order, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to the responsible and effective use of AI​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

While recent advances in generative AI have brought renewed attention to the importance of safe and effective AI deployment, it’s worth noting that for years, GSA’s industry partners have been helping agencies responsibly work with previous generations of AI technologies.

GSA’s industry partners delivering AI solutions

Since its 2018 inception, the Alliant 2 Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), one of the most successful IT Services GWACs in federal government history – and a designated Best-in-Class (BIC) vehicle – has delivered high-value IT services to our customer agencies. Alliant 2 is well-positioned to bring critical, real-world AI solutions to the federal government, particularly regarding national defense, health care, and environmental protection.

We recently polled our Alliant 2 Shared Interest Group to learn about some AI projects they’ve implemented for federal agencies. Let’s take a look at a few of those examples.

A more efficient defense

The general welfare of citizens and their protection from external threats is among the federal government’s greatest duties — a confident and stable national defense is critical.
Federal agencies can now take advantage of notable advancements in the AI space of wargaming and simulation training tools. These training methods rely on realistic simulations to perform varied wartime exercises using diverse war zones, equipment, strategies, and conflict scenarios. For context, think of a military simulator home video game on super steroids – adding to it prospective real-world consequences.

Rapid retraining of computer vision modeling is another AI process that can support national interests. It involves the use of AI to markedly increase the accuracy of those models, eliminating potential issues. The Department of Defense has employed this technology to improve the performance of autonomous reconnaissance vehicles.

Our talented Alliant 2 industry partners also offer geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) and systems intelligence (SIGINT) experience. GEOINT blends machine learning with visualizations to analyze activities on Earth for national security purposes, and SIGINT involves the monitoring and interception of signals from systems used by adversarial targets. Both of these intelligence functions are independently significant. However, as a unit, GEOINT and SIGINT offer a robust approach to national security.

Impacts on health outcomes

Alliant 2’s AI capabilities extend beyond national defense; they also include protections for the health and welfare of U.S. residents. Our industry partners have contributed to many advancements in health care, including the use of AI for COVID-19 research and development. They are also involved in efforts to improve cancer diagnostics and drug labeling review processes using AI.

Different approaches to environmental protection

Executive Order (EO) 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, directs the federal government to protect the environment. The EO expressly states that “an environment that is healthy, sustainable, climate-resilient, and free from harmful pollution and chemical exposure” is a fundamental responsibility of the federal government on behalf of its citizens.

Our industry partners actively support the resolution of climate-related concerns addressed in EO 14096. One effort involves the use of AI to accelerate the speed and accuracy of weather forecasts. During the process, scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration evaluated data collected from the climate models to predict weather events that could occur weeks to decades into the future. This is significant, as this technology is also helpful in disaster preparedness and forecasting natural disasters.

Winning partnerships

Alliant 2’s BIC status signifies its relevance as a top-tier IT services vehicle that is propelled by the best and brightest in the industry. We are very honored to partner with companies that are well-vetted and highly qualified to move us into the future of IT services, always keeping us ahead of the curve.

Moving forward with AI

AI is beginning to play a significant role in how the federal government gets things done. Its significance is becoming more evident by the day. Whether improving the effectiveness of our military, improving health outcomes for U.S. citizens, or keeping our water safe, federal agencies are using AI to enhance our well-being. GSA and our Alliant 2 industry partners continue to move that needle, and we look forward to continuing to serve the AI and IT services needs of our customer agencies. To become familiar with other federal government AI projects, please visit ai.gov.

For more information on the Alliant 2 GWAC, please click here.

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It’s survey season! Help us improve your experiences in 10 minutes

Every year, the General Services Administration sends out the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) Customer Survey and Industry Satisfaction Survey to our partners to gauge your experiences working with us.

Many of you will receive a personalized link to complete one of the surveys in the coming weeks – it takes ten minutes to complete, and the intelligence we gather from your responses will be used to improve your experiences moving forward.

For example, the data collected from the 2023 customer and industry surveys led to:

  • Improvements on the IT category and Multiple Award Schedule web pages.
  • The addition of USAccess locations to get your PIV cards activated – a governmentwide program that GSA manages.
  • Updates to our Buyer’s Guides and Fact Sheets to help you find and understand our solutions better.

We greatly appreciate the time you take to share your experience. Surveys like this, along with feedback you provide through other channels like webinars, trainings, and direct conversations with GSA staff, helps us understand where the pain points are so we can address them with urgency.

If you have questions about the survey or our improvement initiatives, please contact surveys@research.gsa.gov.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

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Generative AI and Specialized Computing Infrastructure Acquisition Resource Guide now available

Goal: Help agencies buy Generative AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most profound technological shifts in a generation or more. If we learn how to harness its power correctly, AI tools could significantly strengthen how the federal government serves the public.

Seeing AI’s potential – and its risks –  the president signed Executive Order 14110 on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI EO) on October 30, 2023. 

Since it was signed, there has been a lot of activity around highlighting AI use cases and increasing the AI talent and skills in the federal workforce.

I blogged about the procurement considerations it emphasized and we explored the pivotal role of the chief AI officer. 

The AI EO also sparked an ongoing effort to guide responsible artificial intelligence development and deployment across the federal government. 

Section 10.1(h) of the AI EO asks GSA to create a resource guide to help the acquisition community procure generative AI solutions and related specialized computing infrastructure.

In this post, I’ll describe our new Generative AI and Specialized Computing Infrastructure Acquisition Resource Guide and highlight some of the specific content.

A Focus on Generative Artificial Intelligence

As many of you know, some of the most popular promising tools in the broader field of artificial intelligence are in the field called generative AI.

Fundamentally, generative AI tools are software. It is starting to show up in our email and word processing programs, the search engines we use every day, and the more sophisticated software that agencies rely on. These tools can be helpful for many agencies trying to automate simple tasks or solve complex problems. We’ve seen agencies using generative AI tools to write summaries of rules, create first drafts of memos, and make more helpful chatbots. And many more uses are spooling up right now including using generative AI tools to write computer code and develop new training scenarios for agency staff.

These generative AI tools are getting better and more agencies are asking their contracting officers to help procure the right solutions. 

At the most basic level, because generative AI tools are software, acquiring them must follow the same acquisition policies and rules as other IT and software purchases. Contracting officers should consider cybersecurity, supply chain risk management, data governance and other standards and guidelines just as they would with other IT procurements.

At the same time, generative AI tools are unique. We are all hearing about the risks of generative AI solutions, some of which we talk about in the guide – from bias in how the systems were trained… to “hallucinations” where a generative AI tool states wrong information that it just made up. 

Contracting officers play a critical role in ensuring commercial generative AI offerings conform with federal and agency guidance, laws and regulations and have the right safeguards and protections while enabling their agencies to get the most out of generative AI projects.

We put together the Generative AI and Specialized Computing Infrastructure Acquisition Resource Guide to help contracting officers and their teams understand how to do just that.  

Practical Tips for the Acquisition Community

Because the field is emerging and the use cases are diverse, it’s impossible to provide guidance that applies to every situation. So the guide offers questions that contracting officers should ask and a process to use when scoping a generative AI acquisition. 

The guide also makes a few specific recommendations of other actions the acquisition workforce should take to procure generative AI solutions effectively. Many generative AI tools may already be available to agency staff in tools they use every day or through government cloud platforms they already have accounts on. And these tools may be available through professional service and system integrator contracts the agencies already have in place. In that way, the fastest acquisition may be no acquisition, or as simple as adding more “credits” to an existing cloud platform account. 

Before embarking on a large scale or complex new acquisition for generative AI tools, see if there is a simpler route. Work with your agency’s chief information officer, chief artificial intelligence officer, and chief information security officer to determine what you already have in place and whether you can just use an existing solution or contract.

Here are a few other recommendations in the guide:

  • Start with Your Agency’s Needs. Rather than starting with solutions and specifications, define the problem that the agency wants generative AI tools to help solve.
  • Scope and Test Solutions. Given the evolving nature of most generative AI tools, it is essential for agencies to use testbeds and sandboxes to try solutions before committing to large scale buys with too many unknowns about product performance.
  • Manage and Protect Data. Generative AI relies on data “inputs” to create content “outputs” so it is critical to know where data is coming from, what are its limitations and how data will be used and protected.
  • Control Costs. Generative AI is very often billed like other Software as a Service so usage costs can really grow quickly if not appropriately monitored and managed.

Acquisition staff also benefit from knowing what procurement actions their agency and others have already taken. You’ll also find a searchable data dashboard to give information about recent AI-related contract actions.

Specialized Computing Infrastructure

The guide also talks about “specialized computing infrastructure” per the AI EO. Specialized computing infrastructure can be thought of as the high-performance computers, powerful chips, software, networks and resources made specifically for building, training, fine-tuning, testing, using and maintaining artificial intelligence applications. Computing infrastructure can be on-premise, cloud based or a combination of both.

While most agencies will likely access generative AI tools through the cloud, some agencies may need to build some light specialized computing infrastructure to support their specific requirements.

This is the start.

The biggest challenge to producing any sort of guidance around a technology is anticipating and accommodating change. To do it, we organized a working group, gathered input from a wide array of acquisition specialists and technical experts, and collaborated with our IT Vendor Management Office to inform and support faster, smarter IT buying decisions across the federal community. We welcome your feedback at genai@gsa.gov.

Generative AI technology will continue to evolve. The risks and benefits will shift over time. Agencies will experiment with generative AI tools. And contracting officers will play a critical role by working closely with program and IT staff to find, source and acquire the right generative AI solutions for agencies’ needs. We hope the Generative AI and Specialized Computing Infrastructure Acquisition Resource Guide helps the acquisition community enable their agencies to start to responsibly harness the power of this promising technology and better serve the American people.

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