8(a) STARS Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC)

Treasury Policy Memo Endorses GSA Online Training for GWACs On April 2, 2009, the Department of Treasury issued Acquisition Bulletin No. 09-03 directing all contracting officers and contract specialists in its bureaus who conduct information technology (IT) contracting to complete GSA's online training. Courses include: the Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) Overview, 8(a) STARS, COMMITS NexGen, VETS GWAC and Alliant Small Business. The training is hosted on GSA's Center for Acquisition Excellence website and is free to government and industry.

The 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services (STARS) GWAC is a small business set-aside contract for technology solutions. It is designed to promote small business utilization when purchasing technology solutions for the federal government.

Please note: The solicitation on this contract is closed, no additional vendors can be added to this contract at this time.

8(a) STARS Features

  • Multiple award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract vehicle.
  • Three-year base with two, two-year option periods (June 2004 - May 2011).
  • Eight distinct Functional Areas (FA) designated by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS):
    • FA1 NAICS 541511 Custom Computer Programming Services
    • FA2 NAICS 541512 Computer Systems Design Services
    • FA3 NAICS 541513 Computer Facilities Management Services
    • FA4 NAICS 518210 Data Processing, Hosting and Related Services
    • FA5 NAICS 541519 Other Computer Related Services
    • FA6 NAICS 516110 Internet Publishing and Broadcasting
    • FA7 NAICS 519190 All Other Information Services
    • FA8 NAICS 517110 Wired Telecommunications Carriers
  • Directed task orders up to $3.5 million each for federal civilian agencies are allowable pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(5), 15 U.S.C. 637 and FAR 19.804-6.
  • Directed task orders up to $3.5 million each for Department of Defense activities are compliant with Section 803 of the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 216.505-70(b)(1), and are allowable pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5), 15 U.S.C. 637 and FAR 19.804-6.
  • 8(a) credit can be transferred back to client agency via Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS).
  • Program ceiling: $15 billion.
  • Limited protestability in accordance with NDAA 2008.
  • Order placement: Assisted Services Entities or Delegation of Procurement Authority from Procuring Contracting Officer.
  • Geographic coverage: Continental United States, some Worldwide.

8(a) STARS Benefits

  • Hardware, software, related supplies and services may be procured as part of an information technology services-based solution.
  • Pre-competed, easy to use contracts.
  • Support small business and meet procurement preference goals.
  • Availability and access to proven small business and 8(a) technology providers.
  • Short procurement lead time.
  • Low user fee (0.75 percent) built into contractors' ceiling prices.
  • Small Business GWAC Center provides Information Technology (IT) specialty contract administration.

The shortcut to this page is www.gsa.gov/8astars.

Last Reviewed 4/30/2009