Happy Holidays! Our journey exploring the HHS goes on. Remember, we started with their budget and priorities two weeks ago, then delved into their acquisition strategies last week. This week, we're zeroing in on the upcoming opportunities with HHS-NIH.

But first, let's pause for a moment. Some major GovCon updates are on the horizon, set to reshape your business strategies. Ready to dive in? Let's get started.

Would you like to join an exclusive Slack channel for GovCon leaders? This is a great chance to network, exchange insights on opportunities, and get advice from an experienced Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer's Representative, and Contract Specialist. To express your interest, reply "YES" in the survey below, and we'll provide further details. 🚀🤝

GovCon News

BPA to Shape the Future of Gov Cloud Solutions with GSA's Ascend BPA

Big news from the GSA's IT branch! They're creating the Ascend Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), a new tool that's about to revolutionize how FSLTT governments snag commercial cloud solutions. Think of it as your one-stop shop for everything from Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) to Software as a Service (SaaS), plus all the cloud-related IT services you can imagine.

Here's the scoop: The Ascend BPA is split into three pools. Pool 1 covers IaaS/PaaS, Pool 2 is all about SaaS, and Pool 3 handles cloud-related IT services. The draft Performance Work Statement is already up on SAM.gov (Notice ID: RFQ1671198). 

Now's the time to chime in. The GSA's IT Category (ITC) team is all ears for your feedback, questions, and confirmation that Ascend BPA ticks all the boxes for your cloud needs. Make sure to shoot your thoughts their way by January 30, 2024.

Keep your eyes on the GSA Interact Cloud and Software Feed for all the latest on Ascend BPA. It's open to everyone, so bookmark it or sign up for alerts. Check it out here: GSA Interact Link.

Release: December 19, 2023

Questions Due: January 30, 2024

CLICK HERE to see the Solicitation found on SAM, but you can only bid if you have the GSA Schedule Cloud SIN.

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If you don’t have the Cloud SIN, reach out to Blackfyre at www.blackfyre.app to add the SIN to your GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). All you need is two past performance Cloud-related projects. 

If you don’t have a GSA MAS, again, reach out to Blackfyre to help you add it. IT’s the only way you get to bid on BPA’s and more opportunities.

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Mandatory Update for Joint Ventures with Pre-May 2023 on the GSA MAS Contracts

Attention Joint Ventures (JV) with Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts awarded before May 19, 2023: You must align with the new requirements of MAS Solicitation Refresh 16. This means submitting a modification request via eMod, which should include:

• A JV Solicitation Attachment along with all necessary documents.

• A Price Proposal Template showing the JV partner responsible for each awarded service.

• An updated draft FSS price list, covering JV-specific information and revised Labor Category and Service Descriptions.

This modification must be completed before the Spring 2024 MAS solicitation refresh. If your JV plans to request technical or pricing changes, or is undergoing an option exercise evaluation before Spring 2024, you need to submit this conformance modification first. Remember, adding new products or services from a JV Partner requires a separate modification request.

For guidance, GSA/FAS has compiled FAQs for MAS JVs available on the MAS Roadmap, including the JV Solicitation Attachment.

Big Changes Coming to Government Procurement

The Biden-Harris Administration has introduced the Better Contracting Initiative (BCI) to improve the Federal Government's procurement of goods and services. BCI aims to achieve better pricing and terms, and places emphasis on purchasing from small and disadvantaged businesses. The Federal Government, which spends $700 billion annually on various goods and services, has historically faced issues with inconsistent and high pricing. BCI will build on previous efforts that have already saved $90 billion since 2016. It particularly focuses on common items like IT hardware and software, where it will negotiate enterprise-wide licenses to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This approach is expected to save over $10 billion annually while enhancing contract performance.

Government-wide Software Licenses Agreement

The General Services Administration (GSA) is set to lead the charge in negotiating government-wide IT software license agreements with major providers under the BCI. Currently, prices routinely vary up to 20 percent for the same software across agencies. This initiative aims to standardize prices, secure better terms, and achieve 25% efficiency gains by eliminating the need for each agency to negotiate common software licenses independently. Additionally, agencies will use best-in-class enterprise contracts for various goods and services, aligning with federal objectives to support small businesses and enhance diversity and resilience in the marketplace.

This is probably a good time to reach out your GovCon lobbyist. 

The Future of Professional Service Acquisition Process… Workshops??? 👀

The U.S. government spends over $110 billion annually on professional services but faces costly contract modifications due to unclear requirements. To improve this, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will issue guidance for a new methodology to define requirements more clearly in high-priority acquisitions. This includes conducting acquisition workshops led by agency facilitators aimed at developing performance-based requirements. The General Services Administration (GSA) will facilitate these workshops and train facilitators within agencies. Additionally, the Administration will enhance workforce development, including a new certification model.

Actions for Companies:

• Be an active participant in these workshops

• Video proposals are the future, and we believe this will take a role within these workshops 

• Sign up for GSA News Release here for Workshop updates: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/news-releases

Our perspective is that this shift will likely favor proposals with superior technical merit over those offering the lowest price. Consequently, hiring a Business Developer or a Capture Manager who can diligently track these requirements and actively participate in the process will become necessary. This change suggests an increase in the cost of engaging in government contracting. It's not fun for small businesses but definitely better for the U.S. Government. 

HHS-NIH Upcoming Contract Opportunities

We're thrilled to share our latest collaboration with Blackfyre, bringing to the table a top-notch Capture/BD Pipeline tailored for NIH. The brains behind Blackfyre? A CO/CS co-founder who's a whiz at decoding complex lingo. His advice? "Go for the green ones” on this spreadsheet (CLICK Here). 

Here's the scoop: About 95% of government contracts are renewed annually, contributing to the ever-expanding government budget. No such thing as a 'one-and-done' in this arena! We dived into contracts winding up between January and April 2024. A tip for the wise: Plan further ahead to give your team ample time for proposal prep. 

Below, we break down how we categorized these opportunities and our take on each:

• Internal Agency IDIQ: These usually stay within their own IDIQ. Not on the HHS contract vehicle? You probably won't see these. But if you're a fit, hustle up a White Paper for the CO or Program Office to showcase your superior solution.

• Open Market Small: We marked the ones you should go after in green. These are your golden tickets.

• GSA Schedule Holders: Green-marked opportunities are recommended for you to pursue. Why join the crowd when you can stand out? The last opportunity had five or less proposals. 

• GWAC: Think 8a Stars, OASIS, NASA SEWP. Again, green is for low competition and easy entry

• 8a: Keep an eye on a few choice opportunities flagged in green. As some 8a contract holders bid adieu to the program, NIH is on the lookout for fresh vendors. Meanwhile, existing contractors might scout for a prime vendor to take the reins. It's a rare move for a project to be plucked from the 8a program, but hey, in this game, expect the unexpected.

• BPA: Only worth your time if you're on the BPA. Don’t do it! 

• Open Market - Large: Left these untouched. Big businesses have their own teams to handle this. Small businesses, make your pitch to the CO or the agency's small business advocate to set this aside to small business. The rule is, if a small business can perform the work, it must go to small business unless it’s for something extreme like building a fighter jet. 

• One Source: Typically, these are unique products with no resellers. Not much room for new entrants here.

Remember, the data only gives you a project's brief. Dig into the solicitation number on SAM for more, but don't expect much on Agency IDIQs, GWACs, GSAs, or BPAs awards because it’s hard for anyone to capture this information. Sometimes, a FOIA request is your only key to see the old SOW/PWS and maybe some evaluation criteria. 

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our analysis! We are considering launching a paid monthly subscription for these insights. If you find it helpful, spread the word about our newsletter. Let's keep the knowledge flowing! 🌞📈🔍

Email us a [email protected] to share what you think.

Here are the steps we took to find this data, it’s the same data set that those expensive $1k a month platform cost. W
Step 1: Go to www.USAspending.gov

Step 2: Choose FY2023 and FY2019 under Time Period

*Why? Contracts awarded in FY2019 that have a 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods are due to expire in FY2024

Step 4: Under Award Type choose Contracts and Contract IDVs

Step 5: Choose the Agency

Step 6: Choose the SubAgency you want to work with

Step 7: Choose the type of business and select as many as you think are applicable. Choose the side-aside that applies

Step 8: Choose awards over $25,001.00. Why? Contracts under 25k don’t have to be solicited, so they are usually sole source to one specific vendor. 

Step 9: Select the NAICS but select as many as you that you think apply. Why? As a former CO/CS, we make mistakes and label requirements with the wrong NAICS all the times. 

Step 10: Hit Submit

Last Week Awards

Christmas came early for 851 Contract winners with on average competed against 2.8 proposal received. GSA($398M), Labor ($367M), and 118 ($367M) spent on professional and tech services. Breakdown by small businesses were low with only 15 set-aside for SDVOSB, 9 ANC, and 3 WOSB. 

Small Business Honorable Mentions: 

• Reston Consulting Group, Inc. won a $37M for Network Support Services for U.S. Dept of Commerce

• Lynch Consultants, LLC won a $13M for Audit and Performance Review Services with HHS

• Jefferson Consulting Group, LLC  for $8M for IPO Consultation Services with Department of Agriculture