Understanding GSA Schedule and Government Contract Vehicles

Government contract vehicles are pre-established agreements that streamline the procurement process for federal agencies. For IT contractors, understanding these vehicles is essential for accessing the federal marketplace efficiently and competing effectively for government business.

What Are Contract Vehicles?

Contract vehicles are procurement mechanisms that allow federal agencies to acquire products and services without conducting full and open competition for every purchase. They've already been competitively awarded, meaning pricing, terms, and conditions have been pre-negotiated.

Benefits for agencies include:

• Faster procurement timelines
• Pre-vetted contractors and competitive pricing
• Reduced administrative burden
• Compliance with acquisition regulations

GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)

The GSA Schedule, now called the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), is the most widely used contract vehicle in the federal government. It provides access to over 11 million products and services from thousands of pre-approved vendors.

How GSA Schedule Works

The GSA Schedule is a long-term governmentwide contract between GSA and commercial firms. Key characteristics include:

• 20-year contract term with options for extensions
• Pre-negotiated pricing based on commercial rates
• Streamlined ordering for agencies under the micro-purchase threshold
• Access to GSA Advantage! online shopping platform

Benefits for Contractors

• Direct access to federal, state, and local government buyers
• Visibility on GSA Advantage! marketplace
• Credibility and pre-qualification status
• Simplified sales process once on schedule

Obtaining a GSA Schedule

The application process involves:

1. Determine appropriate schedule category and SINs
2. Prepare required documentation (financials, past performance)
3. Develop pricing proposal based on commercial sales
4. Submit offer through GSA eOffer system
5. Negotiate with GSA contracting officer
6. Receive contract award and complete training

Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs)

GWACs are pre-competed, multiple-award contracts specifically designed for IT products and services. They offer agencies access to best-in-class IT contractors.

Major IT GWACs

Alliant 2

GSA's premier IT services GWAC with a $50 billion ceiling:

• Covers the full range of IT services
• Supports complex, enterprise-level requirements
• Includes small business track (Alliant 2 SB)

8(a) STARS III

Dedicated small disadvantaged business GWAC:

• $50 billion ceiling for 8(a) contractors
• Covers IT services and solutions
• Supports SBA's 8(a) program goals

VETS 2

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business GWAC:

• $5 billion ceiling
• IT professional services focus
• Supports SDVOSB contracting goals

CIO-SP3 and CIO-SP4

NIH's IT services contracts:

• Health IT and general IT services
• Popular with civilian agencies
• Both large and small business pools

Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

BPAs are simplified methods of filling recurring needs for products or services. They establish pricing and terms for repeated purchases:

Types of BPAs

• Single-Award BPAs: Exclusive agreement with one vendor
• Multiple-Award BPAs: Competition among BPA holders
• GSA Schedule BPAs: Built on top of GSA contracts

BPA Advantages

• Streamlined ordering for recurring needs
• Volume discounts through commitment
• Reduced procurement lead times
• Flexibility in ordering quantities

Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts

IDIQ contracts provide for an indefinite quantity of services or supplies during a fixed period. They're commonly used for IT services where exact requirements aren't known upfront.

IDIQ Structure

• Base contract: Establishes terms, pricing, and contractor pool
• Task orders: Specific work requirements competed among contract holders
• Ceiling value: Maximum contract value over the period of performance
• Minimum guarantee: Minimum value government commits to order

Agency-Specific Vehicles

Many federal agencies have their own contract vehicles tailored to their specific needs:

Department of Defense

• SEWP V: NASA's IT products contract used DoD-wide
• NETCENTS-2: Air Force network-centric solutions
• DISA contracts: Defense Information Systems Agency vehicles

Civilian Agencies

• EAGLE II: DHS IT services
• OASIS: GSA professional services (including IT)
• EIS: GSA telecommunications and network services

Choosing the Right Vehicle

Selecting appropriate contract vehicles depends on several factors:

For Contractors

• Target agencies: Which vehicles do your target customers use?
• Service offerings: Which vehicles cover your capabilities?
• Business size: Set-aside vehicles for small businesses
• Investment capacity: Some vehicles require significant pursuit costs

For Agencies

• Requirement scope: Products, services, or both?
• Competition level: How many contractors on the vehicle?
• Ordering procedures: Streamlined vs. full competition?
• Small business goals: Set-aside requirements

Vehicle Strategies for Success

Build a Vehicle Portfolio

Successful contractors maintain access to multiple vehicles:

• GSA Schedule for broad market access
• GWACs for high-value IT opportunities
• Agency-specific vehicles for target customers
• Set-aside vehicles matching your business status

Stay Current

• Monitor contract modifications and price updates
• Track expiring vehicles and recompetitions
• Add new SINs and capabilities as your business grows
• Maintain compliance with reporting requirements

IAT Solutions Contract Vehicles

IAT Solutions maintains an active portfolio of contract vehicles, enabling efficient access to our IT products and services. Our GSA Schedule and other vehicles provide streamlined procurement options for federal agencies seeking network engineering, cloud solutions, and IT infrastructure support.

Contact us to learn more about ordering through our contract vehicles or partnering opportunities for upcoming procurements.