STARS II is a pre-competed contract process offering immediate access to pre-qualified 8(a) Small Businesses that offer cost-effective technology solutions. It is faster and easier than traditional open-market bidding and can significantly shorten procurement lead-time and effort. The many benefits that use of the STARS II GWAC provides include:
- Directed OrderAuthority: Directed task orders up to $4M each are allowed for federal civilian and Department of Defense activities. Orders over $4M are competed amongst the industry partners in the chosen Functional Area.
- Ease-of-use: Pre-competed, easy-to-use contracts provide agencies with the benefit of limited protestability (in accordance with NDAA 2008) and worldwide geographical coverage. Services and incidental hardware, and software may be procured as part of an integrated technology solution via a simplified ordering process.
- Cost Savings: Streamlined acquisitions shorten procurement lead times and a low user fee (0.75 percent) is built into contractors' ceiling prices.
- Supports Small Businesses: Supports reputable small businesses and meets your procurement preference goals. 8(a) credit can be transferred back to client agency via the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS).
- Expert Assistance: GSA SB GWAC specialized contract administration.
The STARS II contract offers pre-competed labor rates and short-term or long-term engagements, and is specifically designed to support federal or state government clients' services and work staff goals.
The Small Business GWAC Center offers Information Technology (IT) specialty contract administration and skilled guidance on the use of the 8(a) STARS GWAC. The Center conducts free statement of work reviews and provides assistance with capabilities statement requests.
Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services (STARS II) GWAC is a small business set-aside contract for technology solutions. It is designed to promote small business utilization when purchasing technology solutions for the federal government.