Tag: Supply chain risk management

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Fortifying the supply chain: GSA awards SCRIPTS BPAs

April is National Supply Chain Integrity Month, and this year’s theme is “Fortify the Chain.” Raising awareness of the importance of secure supply chains, especially information and communications technology (ICT) supply chains, is more important than ever. 

The government’s supply chains are critical to U.S. economic and national security, supporting all U.S. critical infrastructure, and they’re often targeted by adversaries. Government agencies were the third-most targeted sector for ransomware attacks in 2023, which was 74% higher than the previous year. The average cost of a data breach in the U.S. amounts to $9.36 million. These attacks can disrupt the services Americans rely on every day, from transportation and healthcare to emergency response systems and defense readiness.

Last month, GSA took steps to help the government fortify and better protect supply chains when we awarded Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) under our new Supply Chain Risk Illumination Professional Tools and Services (SCRIPTS) program to nine industry partners. These awards provide federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies with streamlined access to commercial tools and services that help identify and manage supply chain risk.

The SCRIPTS BPAs make it easier for agencies to get the supply chain risk data they need to protect their missions. These BPAs offer a comprehensive solution and a centralized approach that will greatly enhance the government’s ability to effectively and efficiently mitigate the ever-increasing supply chain risks in today’s complex and interconnected technological landscape.  

Enhancing supply chain visibility and security

Strengthening America’s security starts with securing its supply chains. The SCRIPTS BPAs provide agencies with powerful business intelligence tools and professional analytic support to identify and mitigate risks before they become threats. By vetting vendors, assessing supplier networks, and enabling real-time monitoring, these resources help safeguard the nation’s critical supply chains from fraud, abuse, and exploitation. Ensuring that suppliers are reputable, financially sound, and operationally secure strengthens America’s economic and national security—putting the country’s interests first.

Maximizing cost savings for government agencies

We’ve negotiated significant enterprise-wide discounts with leading supply chain and analytics tool providers. The implementation of the SCRIPTS BPA will deliver substantial cost savings for the government, with an estimated $66 million in savings—reducing costs by 57% at the BPA level alone.  

These efforts align with President Donald J. Trump’s recent Executive Order 14240, which calls for centralized procurement. As agencies issue task orders under this agreement, additional savings are expected at the order level. Beyond federal agencies, this whole-of-government approach extends cost efficiencies to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, ensuring broad financial benefits through the use of the SCRIPTS BPA.

Supporting federal supply chain security priorities

This initiative also aligns with Executive Order 13873, signed by President Donald J. Trump in 2019, which focuses on securing the information and communications technology and services supply chain. It also supports broader federal efforts to enhance supply chain resilience and safeguard national security.

With SCRIPTS, we’re making it easier for agencies to proactively manage supply chain risks while ensuring the integrity of the vendors they rely on. We look forward to working with our partners to strengthen America’s security and trust across government supply chains.

For more information regarding the SCRIPTS BPA, please visit the SCRIPTS BPA page on the GSA website.

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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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Celebrating our Veterans

In thinking about Veterans Day this year, I want to pay special tribute to America’s Veterans for their service and dedication to this great nation. I’m grateful for the sacrifices they have made to defend our nation. Our Veterans are an example of the strength, courage, and resolve that allows our country to overcome so many of the challenges we face.

I have spent time with Veterans and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) owners and know their desire to serve continues after they leave active service. I am proud that GSA is committed to working with this community.

GSA working with Veterans

GSA is dedicated to tapping into that strength, courage, and resolve by bringing the SDVOSB community to the federal IT market.

There were more than 800 SDVOSBs across the entire government-wide IT category last year that reported sales. ITC is represented by 357 of those industry partners through our Multiple Award Schedule – IT (MAS-IT) contract and the Veterans Technology Services 2 (VETS 2) and 8(a) STARS III IT services Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC). Through these acquisition vehicles, SDVOSBs won more than $1.46 billion of the IT market last year.

Through GSA contract vehicles like VETS 2, service-disabled veterans continue to serve our nation by providing innovative IT solutions in support of agency missions and the military. VETS 2 is currently the government’s only GWAC set aside exclusively for SDVOSBs.

The VETS 2 option period is coming up next year and we have every intention of exercising that option for those SDVOSBs meeting the terms and conditions of the contract. This will provide federal agencies with continued use of this socio-economic small business, best-in-class solution for their long-term IT service project needs, with the performance of task orders extending out through 2033.

SDVOSBs bringing real mission impact

While I can’t call out individual SDVOSBs, I do want to offer a couple of examples of their great work:

  • One of our customer agencies recently awarded a $248 million order through VETS 2 to provide IT Support Services for their digital infrastructure services center. Through these IT support services, the SDVOSB will fill the agency’s need for maintaining legacy operations and to innovate, at an accelerated pace, to meet the customer’s requirements into the future.
  • Another recent innovative task order award for $166 million was for enterprise services integration and modernization. The scope of the task order is to provide a quality-focused process and capability that enables effective sustainment and modernization of command, control, communication, computers, and information technology systems. The task order will modernize military headquarters to include operations centers, planning rooms, and conference rooms, utilizing innovative technologies such as video walls, audio processors, and multi-classification video teleconference systems.

Veterans, key to the future

Our commitment doesn’t stop with VETS 2 and MAS-IT. GSA’s next small business and socio-economic small business GWAC, Polaris, will have an SDVOSB pool. Polaris is designed to assist agencies in acquiring customized IT services and IT services-based solutions while expanding opportunities for SDVOSB firms. Stay tuned to our Small Business Community of Practice Interact page for updates.

These contracts drive progress on important public policy objectives, including the President’s Executive Order 13985 On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government as we work to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

I’m grateful for the meaningful partnership we have with our Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses and for their continued hard work and dedication to helping agencies achieve their missions every day. I’m really excited for what the future holds.

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.

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