Question 1

What is a GWAC?

Accepted Answer

A GWAC (Government-Wide Acquisition Contract) is a pre-competed, multiple-award contract vehicle that allows federal agencies across the government to buy IT products and services without conducting a full competition for each purchase. Contractors get onto a GWAC once (through an open competition), then agencies can issue task orders against the vehicle. Major GWACs include CIO-SP3, OASIS, Alliant 2, 8(a) STARS III, and SEWP V.

Question 2

What are the major GWACs for small businesses?

Accepted Answer

The most important GWACs for small businesses include: 8(a) STARS III (IT services for 8(a) firms), CIO-SP3 Small Business (IT services for small businesses), OASIS Small Business (professional services), GSA VETS 2 (IT services for SDVOSBs), and SEWP V (IT products, open to all sizes). Each has different scope, eligible NAICS codes, and agency adoption rates.

Question 3

How do I get on a GWAC?

Accepted Answer

GWACs have periodic on-ramp periods during which contractors can apply. During on-ramps, you submit a proposal demonstrating past performance, technical capabilities, and pricing. If selected, you receive a contract vehicle and can compete for task orders from agencies using that vehicle. Missing an on-ramp typically means waiting 3–5 years for the next opportunity on that vehicle.

Question 4

What is the difference between a GWAC and a GSA Schedule?

Accepted Answer

A GSA Schedule (also called MAS — Multiple Award Schedule) is a broad commercial items contract for products and services across many categories. A GWAC is specifically for IT and typically provides better task order competition structures, higher agency ceilings, and more favorable terms for complex IT services than a GSA Schedule.

GWAC	Best For	Set-Aside	Scope	Est. Ceiling
8(a) STARS III	8(a)-certified IT firms	8(a) only	IT services & solutions	$50B
CIO-SP3 SB	IT small businesses	Small business	Health IT, cybersecurity, cloud	$20B
OASIS SB	Professional services SB	Small business	Management, logistics, engineering	$60B
GSA VETS 2	SDVOSBs in IT	SDVOSB only	IT services & solutions	$5B
SEWP V	IT product resellers	All sizes	IT products & peripherals	$20B
Alliant 2 SB	Complex IT SB firms	Small business	Enterprise IT solutions	$15B

What Is a GWAC?
Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts Explained

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Find the Right GWACs for Your Firm

What Is a GWAC?Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts Explained

The Contract Vehicles Every GovCon Firm Should Know

Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts — Common Questions

Find the Right GWACs for Your Firm

What Is a GWAC?
Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts Explained