Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs)

Section 889 Dashboard

Section 889 Part B of the FY19 NDAA went into effect on August 13, 2020. Before placing an order, check the 889 Part B Contract Vehicle Modification Tracking Dashboard (updated daily) to ensure the vendor has agreed to the mass modification clause (FAR clause 52.204-25, AUG 2020) and that you obtain representation as detailed in the provision (FAR 52.204-24, AUG 2020) unless you obtain a waiver or your agency policy specifies otherwise.

Overview

The federal government can buy cost-effective, innovative solutions for information technology (IT) requirements through Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs).

GWACs provide access to Best-in-Class IT solutions including:

  • Systems design
  • Software engineering
  • Information assurance
  • Enterprise architecture solutions

The GWAC Prices Paid Tool gives federal agencies that register a detailed view into how their IT dollars are spent on GSA GWACs. Small business set-aside GWACs also provide socioeconomic credit.

8(a) STARS II

The 8(a) STARS II GWAC offers access to highly qualified, certified 8(a) small disadvantaged businesses. The contract has a $15 Billion program ceiling with a five-year base period and one five-year option.

VETS 2

The VETS 2 GWAC offers a unique contribution to the federal acquisition community as it’s the only GWAC set-aside exclusively for Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). VETS 2 is designed to meet a variety of diverse agency IT requirements, including new and emerging technologies. The contract has a $5 Billion program ceiling with a five-year base period and one five-year option.

Alliant 2 (A2)

The Alliant 2 GWAC offers comprehensive information technology (IT) solutions through customizable hardware, software, and services solutions purchased as a total package.

GWAC Dashboards

Use our interactive GWAC Dashboard tool that allows GWAC stakeholders to view and segment GWAC information to make better business decisions.

You’ll have the ability to:

  • Explore GWAC data by contract family, federal agency and industry partner
  • Build customized reports and download them to your computer

How to Use GWACs

Using pre-competed Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) will help your agency buy total IT solutions more efficiently and economically. Find out how to use GWACs.

Policy Memos

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) says direct acquisitions from GSA's GWACs are “in the best interest of the government” in its June 6, 2008 memo, Guidance for Improving the Management and Use of Interagency Acquisitions. OMB designated GSA as the Executive Agent for our GWACs under the Clinger-Cohen Act.

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) also asks agencies to look to interagency contracts like GWACs first for efficiencies and cost savings in its September 29, 2011 memo, Development, Review and Approval of Business Cases for Certain Interagency and Agency-Specific Acquisitions.

The Department of Defense issued a memo encouraging the use of GSA GWACs to meet DoD’s information technology needs. Read the May 1, 2018 memo [PDF - 337 KB].

The Department of Homeland Security issued a determination on December 17, 2018 announcing the adoption of the GSA GWACs into the DHS portfolio for the acquisition of information technology services. Read the December 17, 2018 determination.

The Department of Navy issued a memo on April 23, 2012, emphasizing the mandatory use of the GSA Alliant GWAC for the acquisition of IT development and support services. Read the April 23, 2012 memo.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense issued a memo on August 16, 2012, stating that the Department of Defense acquisition community is to maximize the use of all available authorities to acquire products and services from small businesses. Read the August 16, 2012 memo [PDF - 148 KB].

The General Services Administration issued a memo on September 17, 2012, stating that GSA employees are required to use existing GSA acquisition vehicles before establishing new contracts for similar products or services.

Defense Health Agency issued a memo on April 25, 2016, establishing GSA's suite of vehicles to include Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) and Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) as mandatory vehicles for the acquisition of Military Health System (MHS) Health Information Technology (HIT) for both previously unsolicited and follow-on contracts/task orders, unless waived in accordance with procedures outlined herein. Read the April 25, 2016 memo [PDF] .


The shortcut to this page is gsa.gov/gwacs.

Last Reviewed: 2020-11-18