Introduction to NITAAC GWACs

[Music]

Hi, Sally, I have another question from a contracting officer. They asked, “Why should I use NITAAC GWACs instead of Federal Supply Schedules?”

Sure, Phoebe! Happy to help. NITAAC GWACs and the Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) are both streamlined procurement vehicles used by federal agencies, with important distinctions between them. I’ll elaborate a bit on the differences.

Thank you, Sally! More coffee for you?

NITAAC GWACS CIO-SP3, CIO-SP3 Small Business, and CIO-CS contract holders went through a competitive source selection process to obtain a contract. Only the top evaluated contract holders were awarded contracts.  

Contract holders wanting to obtain a FSS are able to submit a proposal. Upon a final review, contract holders are notified of the award. In comparison, NITAAC’s evaluation process ensures only the top contract holders who have experience working with the federal government and significant past performance will have an opportunity to provide a proposal for your requirements.

NITAAC CIO-SP3 and CIO-SP3 Small Business allow fixed price, time and materials, labor hours, and cost reimbursement task orders. This allows you to meet requirements for both commercial and non-commercial IT services. In contrast, under FSS, only fixed price, time and materials, and labor hours can be used because only commercial IT services are allowed.  

CIO-CS has a technology refreshment process that allows new and innovative products to be easily added to GWAC contracts within 24 hours. Innovative products can also be added to FSS using open market procedures. However, you must comply with the open market procedures which could mean synopsizing your requirements and mandatory timelines. The difference could mean awarding orders on the GWACs in days instead of on FSS in months. Therefore, CIO-CS is better able to meet changing IT requirements within short timeframes.

Ah, I’m beginning to see the differences now.

NITAAC GWACS are designated as “Best in Class”.  Users will get Tier 3 Spend Under Management SUM credit when using the GWACS.  Only FSS hardware and software are designated as “Best in class” Tier 3.  Users that are procuring IT services or other IT commodities other than hardware and software will only receive Tier 2 credit.

That is a huge benefit for using NITAAC GWACs!

Task and delivery orders under $10 million issued under NITAAC GWACs cannot be protested. Contract holders can only protest task orders under $10 million on the grounds that the order increases the scope, period of performance or maximum value of the contract. NITAAC reviews each task order request to ensure it is within the scope, period, and ceiling of the contract.  So you don’t have to worry about that.

What about the FSS?

All FSS orders may be protested at any dollar amount.

Gotcha!

Look up the course section in Module 3 on Major FAR 16.505 Requirements for Placing Orders with NITAAC GWACs. It will help you understand how NITAAC GWACs provide a streamlined acquisition process.

For FSS, the acquisition process is streamlined under FAR 8.4.

I’ll check that out for sure.

And those are the major differences between NITAAC GWACs and the Federal Supply Schedules.

Thanks so much for clarifying these differences for us!

Anytime! Let me know if you have further questions.

Could I buy you a gelato?

[Music]