Key Takeaways
- Pre-competed contracts for government-wide IT purchases.
- Access vetted vendors for flexible, on-demand orders.
- Reduces procurement time and boosts cost efficiency.
What is Government-Wide Acquisition Contract?
A Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) is a pre-competed, multiple-award contract vehicle designed to help federal agencies efficiently procure information technology (IT) solutions and professional services through task or delivery orders. Managed by designated agencies, GWACs eliminate the need for full-and-open competition on each purchase, streamlining the acquisition process while ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
GWACs provide flexibility with indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) terms, allowing agencies to order from a pool of vetted vendors within a set contract ceiling and ordering period. This approach is considered a game changer in federal procurement for IT services.
Key Characteristics
GWACs possess distinct features that enhance federal IT procurement:
- IT-Focused Scope: Primarily targets IT services including software development, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and consulting.
- Pre-Qualified Vendors: Vendors undergo rigorous evaluation, similar to a DAC process, ensuring technical capability and compliance.
- Best-in-Class Status: Designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for excellence in cost-effectiveness, security, and socio-economic goals.
- Multiple Pricing Options: Includes fixed-price and time-and-materials contracts to suit various project needs.
- Socio-Economic Considerations: Supports small and disadvantaged businesses through set-asides and credit at task order levels.
How It Works
Federal agencies access GWACs by issuing task or delivery orders against an established contract ceiling without initiating separate solicitations, dramatically reducing procurement lead times. The executive agent, often agencies like NASA or the General Services Administration (GSA), manages the contract and ensures vendor compliance.
Vendors qualify via a competitive evaluation that vets their technical and security capabilities, allowing you to work with trusted suppliers efficiently. This streamlined process supports innovation by granting access to emerging IT technologies and services, including solutions offered by leaders such as Microsoft and Meta.
Examples and Use Cases
GWACs facilitate diverse federal IT acquisitions across multiple sectors:
- Space and Research: NASA’s SEWP V contract delivers extensive IT products and services to civilian and defense agencies.
- Healthcare IT: The NIH CIO-SP3 contract streamlines IT services in biomedical research and healthcare systems.
- Commercial Technology: Tech companies like Google provide cloud and software solutions through GWACs.
- Transportation and Aviation: Airlines such as Microsoft partner indirectly via contractors to support federal aviation IT infrastructure.
Important Considerations
While GWACs offer efficiency and compliance benefits, you should evaluate contract ceilings and ordering periods to align with your project timelines and budgets. Understanding the fair market value of services helps ensure cost-effectiveness within GWAC frameworks.
Additionally, agencies must consider the balance between rapid acquisition and thorough due diligence, particularly when engaging early technology early adopters to leverage cutting-edge solutions responsibly.
Final Words
Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts provide federal agencies a streamlined, cost-effective path to procure IT services quickly from vetted vendors. To maximize benefits, evaluate GWAC options aligned with your specific IT needs and compare pricing structures before awarding task orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
A GWAC is a pre-competed, multiple-award contract established by a federal agency for government-wide use to acquire IT solutions and professional services efficiently through task or delivery orders.
GWACs streamline procurement by reducing lead times from months to days, providing access to pre-vetted vendors, promoting competitive pricing, and offering flexibility without fixed quantity obligations.
GWACs focus on IT-related services such as systems design, software development, cybersecurity, cloud services, emerging technologies, hardware, and consulting.
GWACs are established by agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA), NASA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and are operated under oversight from an OMB-designated executive agent.
BIC status, designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), means the GWAC meets high standards for cost-effectiveness, security, and socio-economic goals such as supporting small business participation.
Notable GWACs include NASA SEWP V, NIH CIO-SP3, VETS 2 for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and GSA Alliant 2, each offering specialized IT services and varying contract ceilings.
GWACs provide access to vendors who are pre-qualified for technical capability, cybersecurity, and past performance, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and reducing procurement risks.
Yes, GWACs offer various pricing types including fixed-price and time-and-materials contracts, allowing agencies to choose the most appropriate pricing structure for their needs.
