Alliant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who should I contact?

For questions about Alliant

For questions about Alliant, email alliant@gsa.gov. The GWAC contracting staff will respond promptly.

For questions about GSA acquisition policy

To ask questions about GSA acquisition policy, not specifically about Alliant, email ask.acquisition@gsa.gov. The GSA Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer (OCAO) will respond.

For questions about Department of Defense acquisition policy

To ask questions about DoD acquisition policy, not specifically about Alliant, submit your questions to "Ask a Professor".

For government customers

Why Alliant?

1. Why should I use Alliant?
2. What can I buy using Alliant?
3. How do the Alliant contracts stay current with technology over time?

How do I use Alliant?

1. How do I access the contract?
2. Can I limit competition on task orders to a set number of prime contractors?
3. Can state and local governments use Alliant?
4. How can I be sure my scope is consistent with the contract?

For industry partners

1. What can I do if I missed the solicitation or was not awarded a contract under Alliant?
2. Where can I find information on agency forecasts?

For government customers

Why Alliant?

1. Why should I use Alliant?

Using GWACs is a faster alternative to time-consuming and costly full and open competitions. We also offer training and customer service to help you with contracting rules and regulations.

Highlights include:

• Highly qualified pool of industry partners
• Robust scope aligned with the Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) and Department of Defense Enterprise Architecture (DoDEA) 
• Access to a full range of comprehensive IT services and IT services-based solutions 
• Flexibility as emerging technologies and the definition of information technology evolve
• On-ramp and off-ramp provisions insure retention of a highly qualified pool of contractors
• A full spectrum of contract types, including cost reimbursement
• Worldwide coverage

2. What can I buy using Alliant?

GWACs are for information technology (IT) services and IT services-based solutions. Ordering contracting officers may include ancillary services and equipment on orders as long as the ancillary support is integral and necessary for the IT services-based solution.

If you want to buy IT products or services only, IT Schedule 70 is the best contract vehicle.

3. How do the Alliant contracts stay current with technology over time?

To provide the most comprehensive and flexible IT contracts possible, we aligned Alliant and Alliant Small Business with the Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) and Department of Defense Enterprise Architecture (DoDEA). 

Alignment with the FEA facilitates agencies’ efforts to migrate toward a more unified governmentwide IT infrastructure by standardizing technologies and systems that support mission needs. By aligning with FEA, Alliant:

• Uses a common language to define IT investments
• Evolves over time as technology develops and expands
• Adheres to a modeled approach (eliminating the need to "list everything possible")
• Assists customers in responding to OMB mandates for tracking and reporting IT investments
• Promotes sharing, consolidation, and reuse of business processes and systems

top

How do I use Alliant?

1. How do I access the contract?

Read the ordering guide for helpful instructions on how to use Alliant. 

In general, you need to follow these steps:

1. Attend training
2. Request a delegation of procurement authority
3. Issue the task order
4. Report contract actions
5. Review past performance

2. Can I limit competition on task orders to a set number of prime contractors?

No. All contract holders must be provided a fair opportunity to be considered for all orders in accordance with FAR 16.505, unless an exception to fair opportunity in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)-(iv) applies. All exceptions must adhere to stricter documentation, approval, and FedBizOpps posting requirements as outlined in the FAR.

3. Can state and local governments use Alliant?

No. Alliant is authorized by the Clinger-Cohen Act to provide technology solutions to the federal government only. State and local governments can use IT Schedule 70 through the Cooperative Purchasing Program.

4. How can I be sure my scope is consistent with the contract?

GSA will review your task order or modification requirements for free to make sure the scope of your task order is compatible with the scope of our GWACs — we call this a scope compatibility review, and it takes approximately two to five business days.

top

For industry partners

1. What can I do if I missed the solicitation or was not awarded a contract under Alliant?

We encourage all companies to consider subcontracting or teaming arrangements with any of the Alliant industry partners.

2. Where can I find information on agency procurement forecasts?

Acquisition Central features Agency Procurement Recurring Forecasts.

top

Documents

top