The General Services Administration has selected 426 small businesses as initial phase awardees on the potential $50 billion 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resource for Services III governmentwide contract for information technology services.
GSA said Thursday the 8(a) STARS III GWAC focuses on meeting agencies’ needs for artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, blockchain and other emerging technologies and includes performance work outside of the continental U.S.
“This fourth generation 8(a) GWAC represents GSA’s long-term commitment to supporting our nation’s small businesses in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration,” said Katy Kale, acting administrator of GSA and a 2021 Wash100 Award winner.
The agency expects to issue all awardees notices to proceed within the next 30 days and make additional awards later this year following discussions with remaining offerors.
“GSA is rolling out this new contract vehicle in cohorts, balancing the need to provide innovative products and services that agencies require quickly, with the intent to on-board the broadest number of small businesses over time,” said Sonny Hashmi, commissioner of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service and a 2021 Wash100 Award recipient.
“Through this strategy, GSA can start to create an immediate positive impact to our partner agencies’ mission, while increasing opportunities for our small business partners,” added Hashmi.
GSA released a solicitation for the 8(a) STARS III contract in July 2020.
