Contract Vehicle Decoder
You found an opportunity, it says OASIS+ or SEWP or 8(a) STARS III, and you cannot figure out why you are not allowed to bid. Search the vehicle and get the plain-English answer.
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GSA MAS
Governmentwide Acquisition Contract family (indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity)
One consolidated catalog of commercial products, services, and solutions with pre-negotiated terms and ceiling pricing. A company gets on the Schedule once, then agencies buy from it through orders and Requests for Quote instead of running a full open-market procurement.
Who manages it
General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Service
Who can compete
Any company, large or small, that can meet GSA's offer requirements: two years in business (or the Springboard path), financial documentation, past-performance ratings, commercial sales practices, and compliant pricing. Getting a Schedule contract is an offer process, not a competition you win once.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes. Orders placed against MAS can only go to companies that already hold a MAS contract with the right Special Item Numbers (SINs). You cannot bid a MAS RFQ from the open market.
How agencies use it
Agencies buy directly through GSA Advantage and eBuy, often with simple RFQs to three or more Schedule holders. Popular for IT, professional services, facilities, furniture, and security products.
Subcontracting opportunities
Yes. Non-holders commonly work as subcontractors to a Schedule holder, or through a Contractor Teaming Arrangement where multiple Schedule holders combine their SINs on one order.
Why you may not be able to bid
If an opportunity says "open to MAS holders under SIN 541611" and you do not hold that SIN, you are not eligible for that order, no matter how qualified you are.
OASIS+
Governmentwide multiple-award IDIQ for services
GSA's governmentwide contract family for complex professional and technical services: management consulting, technical and engineering, logistics, research and development, intelligence services, environmental, and facilities. It replaced the original OASIS and OASIS Small Business vehicles.
Who manages it
General Services Administration (GSA)
Who can compete
Companies that submitted an on-ramp proposal and met the qualification criteria for a specific domain. OASIS+ has separate unrestricted and socioeconomic pools (Total Small Business, 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB), so eligibility depends on your certifications at the time of award.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes. Task orders are competed only among awardees in the relevant domain and pool. Watch for periodic on-ramps, which are the only way in.
How agencies use it
Agencies issue task orders for large service requirements, frequently multi-year and multi-million dollar, using fair opportunity competition among the pool.
Subcontracting opportunities
Yes, and it is the realistic first step for most newer firms. OASIS+ primes routinely build teams, and socioeconomic pools give small firms leverage as team members.
Why you may not be able to bid
This is the vehicle most beginners run into and cannot bid. If you do not hold OASIS+, your path is teaming with a holder or waiting for the next on-ramp window.
SEWP
Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) for IT products and product-based solutions
NASA-managed but governmentwide contract family for IT and audiovisual products: hardware, software, peripherals, and closely related product services such as installation and maintenance. It is product-centric, not a services vehicle.
Who manages it
NASA SEWP Program Management Office
Who can compete
Manufacturers and resellers that won a SEWP contract in one of the groups. Several groups are reserved for small business categories, so socioeconomic status affects which group you could pursue.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes. Agencies send RFQs to SEWP contract holders through the SEWP quote request tool. Non-holders quote through a holder.
How agencies use it
Agencies use SEWP for fast, low-fee IT product buys, often with a short quote turnaround and delivery orders rather than lengthy proposals.
Subcontracting opportunities
In practice this looks like being a supplier, authorized reseller partner, or subcontractor to a SEWP holder rather than a traditional subcontract.
Why you may not be able to bid
If you are a service firm, SEWP is usually not your vehicle. It is built around products and product-attached services.
CIO-SP
Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) for IT services
NIH-managed governmentwide IT services vehicle covering health IT, cybersecurity, digital modernization, cloud, software development, and IT operations, organized into task areas.
Who manages it
National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC)
Who can compete
Awardees selected through the CIO-SP competition, with separate unrestricted and small business groups including 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB pools.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes. Task orders are competed among holders in the applicable group and task area.
How agencies use it
Agencies place IT services task orders, often multi-year, using NITAAC's assisted acquisition support or their own contracting shop.
Subcontracting opportunities
Yes. Most CIO-SP task orders are performed by prime plus subcontractor teams, and primes need niche technical partners.
Why you may not be able to bid
CIO-SP proposals are heavy on corporate experience and past performance, so newer firms usually team first and pursue a future on-ramp later.
8(a) STARS
Small business set-aside Governmentwide Acquisition Contract for IT services
A GWAC reserved exclusively for firms certified in SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program, used for IT services and IT services-based solutions.
Who manages it
General Services Administration (GSA)
Who can compete
Only 8(a) certified firms that hold a STARS contract, within the functional areas and constellations they were awarded.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes, and you must also maintain 8(a) eligibility rules that apply to the vehicle. Being 8(a) alone does not make you eligible for a STARS order.
How agencies use it
Agencies use it to meet small business and 8(a) goals quickly, including directed orders under the applicable thresholds, which is a major reason it is popular with contracting officers.
Subcontracting opportunities
Yes, subject to the limitations on subcontracting that apply to set-aside work. Joint ventures with an approved SBA mentor are also common.
Why you may not be able to bid
If a notice says "8(a) STARS III only," every non-holder is excluded, even other 8(a) firms.
Alliant
Governmentwide Acquisition Contract for large-scale IT solutions
GSA's unrestricted GWAC for enterprise IT solutions: large integration programs, infrastructure modernization, cloud transformation, and complex systems work. It has no small business pool, so awards skew to large integrators and mature mid-tier firms.
Who manages it
General Services Administration (GSA)
Who can compete
Awardees only, selected through a highly scored competition that rewards relevant large-dollar past performance, certifications, and systems maturity.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes. Task orders are competed only among Alliant holders.
How agencies use it
Agencies use Alliant for their biggest IT programs where they want a single integrator accountable for an entire solution.
Subcontracting opportunities
Yes, and this is where small firms actually participate. Alliant primes carry subcontracting plans with small business goals they must report against.
Why you may not be able to bid
Alliant is not a realistic first prime vehicle. Target the primes' small business liaison offices instead.
Polaris
Small business Governmentwide Acquisition Contract for IT services
GSA's small business IT services GWAC, structured with pools for small business, women-owned small business, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business.
Who manages it
General Services Administration (GSA)
Who can compete
Small businesses that qualify for a pool and win an award. Scoring rewards relevant experience, key personnel, systems, and certifications such as CMMI or ISO.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes, in the applicable pool.
How agencies use it
Agencies place IT services task orders while crediting small business goals, competing among pool holders.
Subcontracting opportunities
Yes. Teaming and mentor-protege joint ventures are widely used to strengthen a pool offer and to perform work.
Why you may not be able to bid
Watch for on-ramp announcements; that is the only entry point once initial awards are made.
VETS
Service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-aside GWAC for IT services
A governmentwide IT services vehicle set aside exclusively for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
Who manages it
General Services Administration (GSA)
Who can compete
SDVOSB firms holding a VETS contract.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes. Verified SDVOSB status alone does not make you eligible for a VETS order.
How agencies use it
Agencies use it to place IT services orders while meeting the SDVOSB contracting goal.
Subcontracting opportunities
Yes, within the set-aside limitations on subcontracting.
Why you may not be able to bid
SDVOSB firms should track the next on-ramp and build the certifications and past performance the scoring rewards.
GSA Multiple Award BPA
Blanket Purchase Agreement, usually established under MAS
A pre-arranged agreement between an agency (or several agencies) and a limited set of vendors for recurring needs, with pricing and terms already negotiated. Orders then flow quickly against the BPA.
Who manages it
The establishing agency, often with GSA support
Who can compete
Companies that were awarded a spot on the BPA. Most BPAs are competed among Schedule holders, so you generally need a MAS contract first.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes for orders. But the BPA itself is competed periodically, and that competition is your entry point.
How agencies use it
Agencies use BPAs for repeat buys: supplies, staffing, maintenance, or specialized services, with very short order cycles.
Subcontracting opportunities
Yes, BPA holders often subcontract specialty labor and geographic coverage.
Why you may not be able to bid
If a notice says "BPA holders only," the door closed at the BPA award. Ask the contracting office when the BPA is up for recompete.
Agency-specific IDIQ
Indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for one agency or command
A contract an individual agency or command establishes for its own recurring work: for example USACE construction MATOCs, VA medical services IDIQs, DHS mission support contracts, or DOE site support. The agency awards a pool of contractors, then issues task or delivery orders to that pool.
Who manages it
The individual agency, command, or center that awarded it
Who can compete
Only the awarded pool. Many are set aside for small business or a socioeconomic category, and many have geographic scope limits.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes for the task orders. The base IDIQ competition happens once every several years and is announced on SAM.gov.
How agencies use it
Agencies use them to avoid re-competing the same type of work repeatedly, issuing orders with short response times.
Subcontracting opportunities
Very common. Agency IDIQ primes need local labor, licensed trades, and niche technical partners for individual orders.
Why you may not be able to bid
This is the most common reason a beginner cannot bid something they found. Search SAM.gov for the base IDIQ solicitation, note the recompete cycle, and introduce yourself to current holders now.
NASPO ValuePoint
Cooperative purchasing vehicle for state, local, and education buyers
A cooperative contract portfolio led by a state on behalf of many states, so state and local agencies can buy from awarded suppliers without running their own solicitation.
Who manages it
National Association of State Procurement Officials, with a lead state per contract
Who can compete
Suppliers awarded a master agreement, then participating-addendum approved per state.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes, and you also need a participating addendum with each state where you want to sell.
How agencies use it
States, counties, cities, school districts, and universities buy directly, which makes it a large SLED channel.
Subcontracting opportunities
Reseller and dealer networks are the usual route for non-holders.
Why you may not be able to bid
If your buyers are state and local rather than federal, cooperative vehicles like this often matter more than any GWAC.
GWAC
Contract category, not a single contract
A term for a contract one agency establishes that any federal agency may order from, usually for IT. GSA, NITAAC, and NASA SEWP are the designated executive agents. OASIS+, CIO-SP, SEWP, Alliant, Polaris, VETS, and 8(a) STARS are all GWACs.
Who manages it
The designated executive agent for that GWAC
Who can compete
Awardees of the specific GWAC in question.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes for orders, always. GWAC task orders are closed competitions.
How agencies use it
Agencies use GWACs to avoid building their own vehicle and to move faster than an open-market procurement.
Subcontracting opportunities
Depends on the specific GWAC, but teaming is normal on all of them.
Why you may not be able to bid
When you see "GWAC" in a notice, read it as: closed pool, holders only, plan to team.
STRATEGIC SOURCING / FSSI
Consolidated buying program layered on other vehicles
Programs that consolidate common purchases (office supplies, wireless, print, janitorial and sanitation) across agencies to drive volume pricing, usually implemented through BPAs against MAS.
Who manages it
GSA in coordination with participating agencies
Who can compete
Vendors awarded the underlying BPA or Schedule position.
Do you need to already hold it?
Yes for orders. The BPA competitions are the entry point.
How agencies use it
Agencies are often directed or strongly encouraged to buy these commodities only through the strategic sourcing solution.
Subcontracting opportunities
Supplier and distributor relationships are the practical path in.
Why you may not be able to bid
If you sell a commodity and cannot find open-market opportunities, a strategic sourcing program is often why.
Simplified Acquisition / Open Market
Not a vehicle: direct buying under FAR Part 13
Buying done outside any pre-existing vehicle, typically under the simplified acquisition threshold. Any registered, responsible business with the right NAICS and certifications can quote.
Who manages it
The individual contracting office
Who can compete
Anyone active in SAM.gov who meets the notice's size standard and set-aside restriction.
Do you need to already hold it?
No. This is where new contractors realistically win first.
How agencies use it
Contracting officers post RFQs on SAM.gov, or make directed set-aside awards under the applicable thresholds.
Subcontracting opportunities
Not applicable, though teaming for capacity or licensing still happens.
Why you may not be able to bid
Filter SAM.gov for these. If a notice does not name a vehicle, you can probably bid it directly.
The rule that trips up almost everyone
A contract vehicle is a closed door with a guest list. The government competed the vehicle once, picked a pool of companies, and now buys from that pool with short, simple orders. If your company is not on the list, you cannot quote the order no matter how well you fit the work. Your three real options are: team with a holder as a subcontractor, pursue the next on-ramp or recompete of the vehicle itself, or focus on open-market and simplified acquisition work where no vehicle is required.
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