Are You Prepared to Compete For Contracts With The Next Generation of Best-In-Class Primes?

by Yolanda Goodloe | April 3,2023

The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is making significant changes in U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) procurement programs.  These changes were created to support federal agencies’ procurement requirements for services-based solutions; to enable federal customers to acquire innovative solutions from highly qualified businesses on a contract vehicle designed to be best-in-class; and to provide access to highly qualified contractors of all sizes from multiple industries.

The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is a division of the GSA that manages government procurement and acquisition programs. These programs include OASIS+, Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)’s next generation Best-in-Class (BIC) Multiple-Award (MA), Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ), and Multi-Agency Contract (MAC) program for complex non-IT services-based solutions.

OASIS+ Program

OASIS+ is a contracting vehicle managed by the GSA. The name itself stands for “One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services.” The program is designed to provide government agencies with access to a pool of pre-vetted contractors who can provide a wide range of professional services, including but not limited to management consulting, engineering, scientific research, and logistics. The OASIS+ program includes two separate contract vehicles:

• OASIS Small Business (SB): reserved for small businesses.
• OASIS Unrestricted: open to all businesses regardless of their size.

Overall, the OASIS+ Multi-Agency contract allows federal agencies to access a variety of professional services from pre-approved contractors, streamlining the procurement process and potentially saving time and money.

Federal Acquisition Service Next Generation Best-in-Class (BIC) Multiple-Award (MA) Program

The FAS’s next generation Best-in-Class (BIC) Multiple-Award (MA) is a contracting vehicle designed to help federal agencies purchase a wide range of goods and services from pre-vetted contractors. The BIC MA program is a strategic sourcing initiative that aims to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve performance across the federal government. The program focuses on identifying and promoting “best-in-class” contracts that offer the highest levels of quality, value, and innovation. By leveraging the buying power of the federal government, the BIC MA program aims to drive down prices and streamline the procurement process for federal agencies.

The BIC MA program covers a wide range of goods and services, including IT hardware and software, office supplies, travel and transportation services, and professional services such as management consulting and engineering. The program includes both small business and large business contractors, and federal agencies can choose from a variety of pre-negotiated contracts and pricing schedules. Overall, the FAS’s next generation BIC MA program is intended to make the federal procurement process more efficient, transparent, and cost-effective while also promoting best practices and innovation in government contracting.

Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity Program

Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) is a type of contracting vehicle used by the U.S. federal government and other organizations to acquire goods and services on an as-needed basis. Under an IDIQ contract, the government or organization agrees to purchase a minimum quantity of goods or services over a specific period, but the actual quantity and timing of orders are left indefinite.

IDIQ contracts provide flexibility and efficiency in procurement because they allow agencies to quickly acquire goods or services when needed without having to go through a full procurement process each time. IDIQ contracts can cover a broad range of products and services, from construction and engineering services to IT equipment and support services. Once an IDIQ contract is awarded, individual task orders are issued to the contractor for specific goods or services. The contractor then provides a price and delivery schedule for each task order. The contracting agency can issue multiple task orders to the same contractor throughout the contract period, up to the maximum value of the contract.

IDIQ contracts are often used in situations where the government or organization has a continuing need for a particular product or service, but the exact quantity or timing of orders is uncertain. These contracts can help streamline procurement and reduce administrative costs, while still ensuring that the government or organization receives the goods and services it needs.

Process for Awarding an Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) Contract

The process for awarding an IDIQ contract varies depending on the specific contract and the agency that is issuing it. However, in general, IDIQ contracts are awarded through a competitive procurement process, and contractors must meet certain minimum requirements to be considered for the award. While IDIQ contractors are not necessarily pre-vetted in the sense that they are automatically approved without any evaluation, the process for awarding an IDIQ contract can be more streamlined and efficient than a traditional procurement process. Contractors who are awarded an IDIQ contract have already met the minimum requirements for qualification and have been selected based on their proposals and evaluations.

Multi-Agency Contract Program

The Multi-Agency Contract (MAC) program for complex non-IT services-based solutions is a contracting vehicle managed by the GSA. The program is designed to provide federal agencies with access to pre-approved vendors who offer a wide range of complex non-IT services-based solutions. These services may include engineering, environmental consulting, logistics, program management, and other specialized services that are critical to supporting agency missions.

Under the MAC program, GSA establishes multiple contracts with pre-qualified vendors that can provide the required services. Agencies can then issue task orders against these contracts to obtain the services they need. The program is intended to streamline the procurement process and reduce administrative costs for federal agencies while also ensuring that they have access to high-quality service providers. The MAC program has a specific focus on complex non-IT services-based solutions, meaning that the services provided require a high level of expertise and may involve a significant degree of customization. The program is intended to be flexible enough to meet a variety of procurement needs, from small purchases to large-scale acquisitions. Additionally, the MAC program is designed to be used by multiple agencies, allowing them to share resources and reduce duplication of effort.

The Process for Awarding a Multi-Agency Contract (MAC) Contract

The Multi-Agency Contract (MAC) Program includes several contract vehicles, including the Professional Services Schedule (PSS), OASIS (One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services), and the Alliant 2 GWAC (Government-wide Acquisition Contract). Contractors who are awarded a MAC contract have already undergone a rigorous selection process, including evaluating their past performance, financial stability, and technical qualifications. Once a MAC contract is awarded, individual task orders can be issued to the contractor for specific services. The types of services that can be procured through the MAC program include engineering, scientific, financial, management consulting, and other professional services. The program is designed to be flexible enough to meet a variety of complex services-based needs, while also ensuring that the government receives the best value for its procurement dollars.

Overall, whether your business is suited for an OASIS+, Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)’s next generation Best-in-Class (BIC) Multiple-Award (MA) contract, an Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract, or a Multi-Agency Contract (MAC) contract, it is essential that you are prepared for the requirements and steps needed in order to benefit from the correct program and be ready for the contracting process. Are you prepared to compete for contracts with the next generation of Best-In-Class primes?

GSA’s Office of Professional Services and Human Capital (PSHC) has released the presentation for OASIS+ Industry Day, held on March 15, 2023 and attended by more than 2,700 participants. The recording of the session will be posted to the PSHC YouTube Playlist and shared here.