CIO-SP4 BPA, BIC MAC, and POLARIS Contracts to Drive Further Government Innovation
March 30, 2021
Governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACs) continue to rise in prominence, enabling agencies to further meet their IT services requirements through a more solutions-based, integrated approach. This year, one major GWAC is making major headlines and will potentially transform government, which is the National Institutes of Health IT Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC) $40 billion CIO-SP4 contract. As you may have heard behind numerous industry events and subscription services, CIO SP4 has been delayed yet again by another two weeks. It is time NITAAC did an official industry update and provide an updated draft request for proposal so that everyone can finalize their teaming arrangements.
In addition, the GSA recently announced the replacement for the Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) multiple award IDIQ as well as POLARIS, which will serve as a replacement for the cancelled Alliant 2 small business solicitation.
NITAAC CIO-SP4 Enhancing Federal Health IT
As one of the largest GWACs, NITAAC CIO-SP4 is a refresh of the CIO-SP3, but with a focus on future health IT innovations in areas such as digital government, blockchain, AI, cybersecurity, and optimizing data.
While CIO-SP4 is under NIH, it is a vehicle that is open to all government agencies.
“NITAAC is built on a health IT niche, but it also does all things government IT,” said Brian Goodger, NITAAC Director, in this Government CIO video. “All needs within the government can be placed on NITAAC, and we are poised and well-positioned to make sure that those requirements and needs are delivered on budget and at a performance level that is acceptable.”
BIC MAC: OASIS Successor Explores New Acquisition Techniques
Named Best-in-Class Multi-Agency Contract (BIC MAC), this OASIS successor will be the GSA’s marketplace strategy to align and expand its multiple acquisition contracts, improve data reporting and expand federal buyers' acquisition tools.
According to this recent Washington Technology article, the GSA’s RFI for BIC MAC focuses on new specialty domains, including technical engineering, research and development, management and advisory services, and logistics/facilities.
Polaris: A New Way to Assess Industry Solutions
In a similar vein, GSA is also introducing another GWAC called Polaris. Polaris will also serve as an avenue for small businesses to support the Federal market’s IT needs. GSA is helping customer agencies procure services for IT solutions by broadening GSA’s industrial base to include revised IDIQ pricing strategies, opportunity expansion, and embracing emerging technology to maximize efficiency and spur modernization.
“We are in the very early stages of the process and are looking forward to continuing dialogue with our industry partners and agency customers,” said Laura Stanton, assistant commissioner of the Office of IT Category.
Makpar has over a decade of experience providing high-level strategic and project management services, focused on cybersecurity and cutting-edge technologies – ideal for larger GWACs and IDIQ contracts.
Please contact us here for more information about how Makpar can develop and implement IT solutions that advance mission success across all of government.