OPPORTUNITIES

Upcoming Procurement Opportunities: 

OASIS+ by GSA: A Game-Changer for Small Businesses, Women-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, 8(a), and HUBZone Set-Asides 

With the imminent release of the final OASIS+ Request for Proposal (RFP), a monumental opportunity is unfolding for small businesses eyeing long-term contracts with the federal government. This is by far the most impactful of the ongoing solicitations for such businesses. There are two key aspects of OASIS+ that small enterprises need to be aware of: 

Firstly, this is not your typical competitive contract. The General Services Administration (GSA) has signaled that they will award contracts to all businesses that meet the minimum qualifications, irrespective of the number of awards. This opens up a substantial door of opportunity for small businesses to secure contracts under OASIS+. 

Secondly, there will be multiple entry points to join the program. Even if you are not ready to submit a proposal for the initial round of awards, there will be subsequent chances to become a part of the program. 

If OASIS+ piques your interest, the first step is to review the submission checklist. This will help you ascertain if you meet the minimum qualifications. If you find yourself falling short of the required points, you may still secure a contract by partnering with an external consultant. Our consultants can guide you in spotting any gaps in your qualifications and crafting a plan to address them. 

AGS stands strong with a diverse pool of qualified professionals ready to support this initiative. 

DHS PACTS III: A New Opportunity for SDVOSB, 8(a), WOSB, and HUBZone Set-Asides

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is on the lookout for innovative proposals for the third iteration of their Programmatic, Administration, Clerical, and Technical Services (PACTS) contract, known as PACTS III. This time, the focus will be on three non-IT services areas: Program management, clerical, and engineering. 

The acquisition process for PACTS III commenced in August 2022 with a Notice of Intent to Recompete. In a significant development, DHS has expanded its acquisition plan to include separate tracks for various disadvantaged business areas, moving beyond just Service-disabled veterans, as was the case in the first two iterations. This is an exciting opportunity for small and disadvantaged businesses to secure contracts with the federal government. 

The draft proposal for PACTS III is available on SAM.GOV and GovWin. GovWin forecasts that the final Request for Proposal (RFP) will be released in late August 2023. Interestingly, DHS has mandated separate proposals for each functional category, but multiple socio categories can be addressed in a single proposal. 

In the previous PACTS iteration, 39 contracts were issued. A similar number is anticipated for PACTS III. Approximately 66% of the previous contract's expenditure was directed towards SDVOSB and WOSB contractors. If you are considering submitting a proposal for PACTS III, it's high time to start your preparations. 

This includes forming a team of competent partners, accumulating evidence of past performance, and crafting a thorough proposal. Crucially, ensure your proposal resources are in place and consider seeking third-party writing assistance for that competitive edge. DHS is dedicated to fostering opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses. 

PACTS III presents a golden opportunity for these businesses to secure contracts with the federal government. Success lies in the investment of time and effort in preparation. 

NASA's SEWP VI: Small Business, SDVOSB, and 8(a) Set-Asides 

NASA is on the brink of launching the sixth version of its Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) contract, named SEWP VI. This marks a significant opportunity for small businesses, as it will encompass a wide array of hardware and services. 

The existing SEWP contract is set to terminate in 2025, prompting the commencement of a fresh acquisition cycle later this year, with the anticipated award in 2024. The forthcoming SEWP VI is projected to have an annual expenditure exceeding $10 billion, with a substantial portion designated for small businesses. 

As a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), it is accessible to all federal departments and agencies. On March 23, 2023, the government unveiled more specific details regarding NASA's vision for the product and services segmentation in SEWP VI. 

The contract will be subdivided into six product-centric areas and, a novel addition to NASA SEWP, 22 service-oriented areas, encapsulating the entire spectrum of IT services. SEWP VI is widely recognized as one of the most efficiently managed federal IT programs, a reputation often linked to the exceptional stewardship of its long-standing PMO leadership.

Department of Commerce: Businesses, Universities, Communities, Nation's workers

The U.S. Department of Commerce, along with its bureaus, provides numerous grants and contracting opportunities. These support the Department's mission of promoting job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and enhancing Americans' standards of living (U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

The Office of Acquisition Management (OAM) is crucial in supporting the Department's acquisition, grants, and program management. OAM sets regulations, policies, and guidance for acquisitions and offers resources like the Service Contract Inventory and procurement forecasts to aid planning.

For specific questions about a contract, order, grant, cooperative agreement, or other financial assistance, contact the relevant Bureau. Private platforms offer market intelligence on Commerce contracts for those interested in working with the Department. 

The federal government's System for Award Management (SAM) also lists contract opportunities from various federal offices, including the Department of Commerce.

NITAAC: Small Business, 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone, Woman-Owned

A federal program within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) National Institutes of Health (NIH)]. NITAAC offers various Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) for IT services, solutions, commodities, and related services. 

A key contract NITAAC manages is the Chief Information Officer – Solutions & Partners 3 (CIO-SP3), providing AI, data science, and analytics solutions to government agencies; it falls under NAICS code 541512 for Computer Systems Design Services.

After the Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained a protest of the CIO-SP4 contract award, NITAAC announced plans for corrective action and reevaluation of proposals. The six-month extension of CIO-SP3 ensures uninterrupted coverage until CIO-SP4's implementation and extends the five-year performance period of CIO-SP3 Task Orders into FY30, maintaining access to the benefits and value-adds of FAR 16 flexibilities for agencies.

As one of only two GWAC programs offering comprehensive IT procurement, NITAAC provides a faster, easier, and cost-competitive solution for government agencies. The program features an easy-to-use, secure web-based e-GOS ordering system for automated task order competition, set-asides, management, and awardee communication.

Polaris: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Small Business, Women-Owned Small Business, HUBzone Business

Designs, engineer, and assemble our vehicles in the American Midwest, guaranteeing the highest quality for our global partners. Our IT service solutions encompass system design, software development, cloud services, cybersecurity, and IT operations and maintenance.

The contract facilitates the acquisition of emerging technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence for agencies. Ancillary support, including clerical work, data entry, and IT products, may be included if necessary for the IT services-based effort. GSA provides an optional scope-review service to determine if your project falls within the Polaris GWAC scope.

Offerors can claim points in two experience categories: Primary Relevant Experience and Emerging Technology Relevant Experience. The Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) allows offerors to submit between three and five distinct projects for the Primary Relevant Experience section. 

For the Emerging Technology Relevant Experience section, offerors can submit up to three projects. A single project can be used in both the Primary and Emerging Relevant Experience sections within the same pool. Additionally, a project can be submitted in multiple pools (e.g., WOSB, HUBZone, SB, SDVOSB) if relevant.