What is a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC)?
Multiple government departments buy products or services under a government-wide acquisition contract (GWAC). Government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) often lower per-unit costs due to economies of scale.
These contracts buy new gear, like computers. GWACs offer innovative IT solutions at lower costs for the federal government, benefiting taxpayers. One agency may lead this contract with the hope that others will follow.
Learning Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts
Increased government-wide purchasing contracts enable agencies to negotiate lower costs due to their scale. They also allow one vendor to support additional employees with products and services.
The federal government may avoid having other agencies “reinvent the wheel” by having one agency examine a vendor for several agencies.
According to the GSA, GWACs offer systems design, software engineering, information assurance, and enterprise architecture solutions.
NASA and NIH have GWACs in addition to GSA. Through various contracts, these institutions enable the government to buy low-cost IT solutions from certified tech businesses.
Instead of individual agency contracts, a government-wide acquisition contract consolidates purchases.
The GWAC Prices Paid Tool shows federal agencies how GSA GWACs spend IT funds. The tools help with realistic pricing research, negotiations, independent government cost estimates (IGCE), and benchmarking competing rates.
Comparatively, government-wide agency contracts (GWACs) have grown in popularity during the past five years. Spending on GWACs rose from 12% in 2015 to 20% in 2019. It’s affordability and convenience that’s driving GWACs’ appeal.
Government-wide acquisition contract types
Stars II
Highly qualified, accredited 8(a) small disadvantaged firms are available through Stars II GWAC. The contract cap is $22 billion.”The GSA offers this.
Vets 2
Only service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses can use the VETS 2 GWAC. VETS 2 provides federal government IT systems, including new and developing technologies. Contracts max out at $5 billion.GSA offers Vets 2
A2 Alliant
The Alliant 2 GWAC sells hardware, software, and services as a bundle. GSA also offers this.
SEP
NASA SWPs are enterprise-wide procurement solutions. Tablets, PCs, servers, IT peripherals, network equipment, storage systems, security tools, software, cloud services, and more are available to the government.
NITAAC
HHS and the NIH run the NIH Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC). It provides GWACs through CIO-SP3, CIO-SP3 Small Businesses, and CIO-CS, focusing on IT commodities.
Government-Wide Acquisition Contract Use
The following procedures are required to purchase IT solutions for a federal agency using a GWAC:
- Take Training
- Procurement Authorization
- Issue Task Order
- Request Optional Scope Review
- Optional Capabilities Statement Request
- Contract Action Report
- Past Performance Review
Conclusion
- Multiple government departments buy items or services under a government-wide acquisition contract (GWAC) to save money.
- GWACs mostly buy new technology for IT solutions.
- NASA, the GSA, and the NIH provide GWACs.
- Compared to single-agency contracts, GWACs have risen in favor.
