GSA 8(a) STARS III

Overview

GSA's 8(a) STARS III GWAC is now designated as a Best-in-Class contract vehicle by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

8(a) STARS III is a small business set-aside GWAC that provides flexible access to customized IT solutions from a large, diverse pool of 8(a) industry partners. This next-generation GWAC builds upon the framework of 8(a) STARS II and expands capabilities for emerging technologies and outside the continental United States (OCONUS) requirements.

Contract Specifics

• The 8(a) STARS III GWAC ordering period is a five year base with one three year option. This ordering period began on July 2, 2021.
• The ceiling for 8(a) STARS III is $50 billion.
• 8(a) STARS III allows for fixed price, time and materials, labor-hour or a hybrid blend of these task order types.
• The contract access fee for the 8(a) STARS III GWAC is .75%, the same as GSA Schedules.
• The contract includes two sub-areas, one for emerging technology and one for OCONUS requirements.

Features

• Allows for long term planning of large scale program requirements
• Enhanced opportunities for 8(a) firms
• Offers flexibility of contract types to mitigate risk
• Offers access to a pool of contractors with additional industry credentials
• Facilitates integrated IT solutions
• Enables federal clients to earn 8(a) small business credit
• Saves time and money by reducing procurement lead time
• Promotes contract compliance and reduces risk of adverse audits
• FAR 16.505 Fair Opportunity process supports best value awards
• Minimizes protest risk and supports timely order award for optimal mission support

SCOPE AREAS OF GSA 8(a) STARS III include:

Technology

• Data Management
• Information and Communications Technology
• IT Operations and Maintenance
• IT Security / IT workforce augmentation
• Software Development
• Systems Design

Emerging Technology-Focused IT Services

• Artificial Intelligence (including Machine Learning, Deep Learning/Neural Networks, Natural Language Generation)
• Autonomic Computing
• Blockchain / Distributed Ledger
• Quantum Computing
• Robotic Process Automation
• Technological Convergence
• Virtual Reality (including Augmented Reality, Extended Reality, Mixed Reality)