The 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services (STARS) GWAC is a small business set-aside contract for technology solutions. This contract vehicle is the replacement contract for the 8(a) FAST small business contract which expired October 31, 2004. It is designed to promote small business utilization when purchasing technology solutions for the federal government.
GSA STARS Frequently Asked Questions
Are the 8(a) STARS contracts available for use in GSA’s E-Buy procurement tool?
A: YES!
How does 8(a) STARS work with the provisions of Section 803 of the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act, which requires Department of Defense activities to obtain three bids on a Request for Quote/Request for Proposal?
- The 8(a) STARS contracts were awarded under the provisions of Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)) and FAR part 19.8. Based upon the statutory authority for directed (sole-source) 8(a) awards to be placed at or below the $3 million competition threshold, the contracting officer may waive and can easily document the competition waiver for orders at or below the competition threshold placed against the 8(a) STARS contracts. However, the competition requirements of DFARS 216.505-70 are still applicable for orders above the competition threshold for 8(a) contracts unless the contracting officer waives this requirement on the basis of a written determination that - (1) one of the exceptions described in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i) through (iv) applies to the order; or (2) a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the purchase be made from a specified source. The GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy has determined that directed orders at or below the competitive threshold placed against the 8(a) STARS contracts meet the qualification for exception to competition outlined in Section 803 of the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act.
Are sole-source task orders permitted under 8(a) STARS?
A: YES, task orders under the $3 million competitive threshold may be awarded on a sole-source basis based on the provisions of Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)) and FAR 19.8. Contract holders may utilize this unique provision based on self-marketing efforts or past performance. All contract holders within a functional area must be given fair opportunity to compete when requirements exceed the $3 million competitive threshold in accordance with FAR Part 16.
Why should a federal agency consider using 8(a) STARS GWAC?
A: We recommend federal agencies regularly consider GWACs in their acquisition strategy for a variety of reasons such as limited protestability, pre-qualified pool of industry partners and acquiring the total solution under one vehicle. In addition, 8(a) STARS has the unique benefit of sole source orders up to the $3 million competitive threshold – a benefit not found in any other contracting vehicle. This saves the customer a great deal of time and money by not having to use the open-market provisions for 8(a) contracting outlined in FAR Part 19.
What is the maximum order limit under 8(a) STARS?
A: There is no maximum order limit; however, there is a program ceiling of $15 billion. The program ceiling is reduced as orders are placed against the contracts.
How do I place a GSA Stars Order?
There are two ways to order from the 8(a) STARS GWAC:
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Direct Order or through GSA FTS. DIRECT ORDER-Delegations of Authority Federal agencies that wish to conduct their own procurements may use the 8(a) STARS GWAC through a delegation of authority. Delegations of authority are easy to request. Only two pieces of information are needed to get started:
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A request via e-mail from an e-mail account having a “.gov” or “.mil” suffix listing the name(s) of the party(ies) for whom authority is being requested; and
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A copy of the warrant for each contracting officer for whom authority is being requested. The warrant(s) may accompany the e-mail as a scanned attachment, or may be faxed separately
The Small Business GWAC Center will then validate the information received and issue a Memorandum of Agreement, which includes the delegation of authority. Training will be provided to all personnel involved in the acquisition and a written delegation of authority to the covered contracting official will be issued. The contracting officer’s concurrence on the delegation is required. For information on delegations of authority or to request a delegation, please e-mail 8a@gsa.gov or call toll free (877) 327-8732.
OR
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Using GSA FTS. GSA FTS-3 Steps Doing business with GSA, Federal Technology Service (FTS) requires just three documents:
A signed interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Service Agreement
Statement of Work (SOW) – used for technology or telecommunications services projects including the Functional Area under which it falls
Funding document which includes the FTS fee for services
Client/customer approval for the items described in SOW based on the price and availability proposed by an industry partner is required.
GSA FTS Client Support Centers:
• Provide direct client interface and support
• Issue and manage delivery and task orders against contracts
• Procure on behalf of federal customers
For further details download the Ordering Guide.
What is the difference between 8(a) STARS and 8(a) FAST2? What was changed and why?
A: The GSA Federal Technology Service (FTS) awarded the original 8(a) FAST contracts in 1997. The FTS assisted services program at that time was known and marketed as Federal Acquisition Services for Technology, or FAST. We decided to change the name of this new 8(a) contract to eliminate the confusion between the contracts and the FTS assisted services program, formerly known as FAST. The solicitation was released in 2003 under 8(a) FAST2; however, it was decided to rename the contract vehicle to 8(a) STARS prior to award.
What does STARS stand for?
A: Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services
Do you think there is a meaningful overall advantage, value proposition or message for your offering?
A: Yes. The 8(a) GWACs are very attractive to customers due to the unique procurement authority granted to 8(a) firms by statute. In addition, the Small Business GWAC Center is a resource for customers and industry with regard to small business contracting rules and regulations. Customers may conduct set-aside competitions using our GWACs as an alternative to lengthy and costly full and open competitions. Acquisition Center training and support is also a plus.
How can I learn more about the 8(a) STARS contract and its contractors?
A: 8(a) STARS has its own web page at www.gsa.gov/8astars. The Small Business GWAC Center also manages a toll-free number at (877) 327-8732.
Where can I find ordering procedures for 8(a) STARS?
A: You can download the ordering guide from www.gsa.gov/8astars or by clicking here
What does the Small Business GWAC Center do?
A: The Small Business GWAC Center is the GSA organization responsible for awarding and administering the contracts under its purview. GSA receives annual approval as an Executive Agent from the Office of Management and Budget to manage governmentwide contracts for federal agency use. The Center must maintain strict standards with regard to contract and task order oversight in order to continue its operations. It accomplishes this through its communications and training held with customers and industry partners throughout the year.
What is a GWAC?
A: Definition of GWAC (FAR 2.101):
“Governmentwide acquisition contract (GWAC)” means a task-order or delivery-order contract for information technology established by one agency for Government wide use that is operated--
(1) By an executive agent designated by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to Section 5112(e) of the Clinger-Cohen Act, 40 U.S.C. 1412(e); …”
GWACs have unique features and benefits that make them sought after alternatives when choosing an acquisition strategy for your next technology procurement.
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Fully competed, total information technology and network solutions contracts
What can be purchased using 8(a) STARS?
A: 8(a) STARS contracts are primarily for technology services. Hardware, software and related supplies may be procured as part of an integrated solution. Leasing is prohibited under this GWAC.
What is the GSA fee for using 8(a) STARS?
A: There is a contract access fee of 0.75% built into the contractors’ labor rates. This fee covers operating costs associated with contract administration and training customers on the proper use of the contracts.
How does a federal agency access 8(a) STARS contracts?
A. Ordering offices have two methods of accessing the 8(a) STARS contracts. A contracting officer may request a delegation of authority from the Small Business GWAC Center to use the contracts. An ordering activity may also reach the 8(a) STARS contracts through the assisted services offered by the GSA Federal Technology Service.
STARS is also available through GSA E-BuyCan state and local governments buy off of 8(a) STARS?
No. Since 8(a) STARS is a Government Wide Acquisition Contract, or GWAC, it is authorized by the Clinger-Cohen Act to provide technology solutions to the federal government only. Special authority was granted to GSA to offer the IT Schedule 70 contracts to state and local governments to assist them in meeting their technology requirements.
How do the functional areas work?
A: 8(a) STARS has eight functional areas based on codes found in the North American Industrial Classification System, or NAICS. Contract awards were made on a best value basis to companies who met the qualifications unique to the respective functional areas. The ordering contracting officer must make a determination that the predominant scope of the requirement rests in one particular funtional area. Once that determination is made, the requirement (if over the $3 million competitive threshold) is competed among all of the companies in that functional area. For more information on NAICS codes, please visit the 8(a) STARS web page at www.gsa.gov/8astars and click on the Census Bureau-NAICS Definition link.
How many skill levels does each functional area have?
A: FA 1 – 17 skill levels
FA 2 – 19 skill levels
FA 3 – 13 skill levels
FA 4 – 9 skill levels
FA 5 – 17 skill levels
FA 6 – 11 skill levels
FA 7 – 10 skill levels
FA 8 – 15 skill levels
Are 8(a) STARS contractors allowed to form subcontractor teaming arrangements? If so, how much work may be subcontracted?
Yes. Subcontractor teaming arrangements under 8(a) STARS are extremely flexible and are permissible the task order level. Since this contract vehicle is set-aside, all subcontracting shall be shown on initial quotes. In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 13 CFR 125.6 a small business concern contracting for services has agreed that, the concern will perform at least 50 percent of the cost of the contract incurred for personnel with its own employees. The location of the full text of this CFR can be found at www.sba.gov/library/cfrs/13cfr125.htmlThis is also stated in the contract in FAR Clause 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting. Contracting officers may request a statement from the contractor that shows the amount of work to be subcontracted on a task. All contract holders are responsible for managing the balance of workload being performed under their contracts.
How does the "logical follow-on" exception apply when an 8(a) company has graduated from its 8(a) status?
A: The answer to this question is two-fold. First, an 8(a) GWAC contract remains valid until the awardee is required to re-certify its 8(a) or small business size status. A firm may have exited the 8(a) program during the contract period and still hold a valid 8(a) contract. Secondly, the logical follow-on exception to fair opportunity applies when a contracting officer has originally competed an order under a multiple award contract, and then wants to issue an order to the same firm, for the same requirement, serving the same client, on a sole source basis (use of the follow on authority must be reasonable and documented.) Orders under 8(a) STARS that are issued on a sole source basis are done so under the statutory direct order authority for 8(a) procurements granted by the Small Business Act and therefore are not eligible for the logical follow on exception, but those that were competed are. In addition, the logical follow-on exception may only be used once.