The General Services Administration has named its next-generation small business governmentwide acquisition contract for information technology support services as Polaris.
“Polaris aims to provide customers with streamlined access to emerging technology providers including those offering artificial intelligence, automated technologies (like robotic process automation), blockchain, 5G implementation (including edge computing), cyber security, and cloud,” Laura Stanton, assistant commissioner for the office of IT category at GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, wrote in a blog post published Thursday.
Stanton said GSA plans to implement several strategies to expand the industrial base and pool of small contractors serving federal agencies, such as using Section 876 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019 through the Enhancing Competition at the Order Level program of FAS, on-ramping and increasing opportunities for woman-owned and HUBZone small businesses.
She noted that GSA plans to issue a request for information for the Polaris GWAC in October and release a draft solicitation in the next few months.
