Five major GWACs are transforming federal IT procurement in 2025. Key opportunities include the $50 billion 8(a) STARS III program for small disadvantaged businesses, the Army’s MAPS contract with 100 planned awards, and NITAAC’s CIO-CS “The Store” for health IT solutions. The GSA consolidation initiative streamlines IT contracting, while MSD MAIDIQ and SOFGSD focus on specialized military requirements. These contracts present significant opportunities for contractors seeking federal partnerships.
Major GWACs Reshaping Federal IT Procurement in 2025
Seven major Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) are poised to shape federal procurement in 2025, with significant changes coming to the IT contracting landscape. At the forefront is the 8(a) STARS III GWAC, featuring a substantial $50 billion program ceiling and offering federal agencies access to certified 8(a) small disadvantaged businesses. This contract includes a five-year base period with one three-year option, providing stability for vendors and agencies alike.
Federal IT contracting enters a new era with seven major GWACs in 2025, led by the $50 billion 8(a) STARS III program.
The Multiple Award Procurement System (MAPS) represents another significant opportunity, with plans for 100 total awards distributed across five domains. Each domain will maintain small business reserve requirements, covering essential areas including IT, engineering, cybersecurity, and cloud services. The solicitation is expected in February 2025, with awards following in August. The program combines RS3 and ITES-3S contracts to serve as the Army’s single source for professional services.
CIO-CS “The Store” emerges as the successor to NITAAC contracts, focusing specifically on health IT solutions and services. This contract aims to streamline procurement processes for federal agencies, incorporating valuable lessons from previous iterations like CIO-SP3 and CIO-SP4. The government has yet to release specific details on the contract ceiling and period of performance. Federal agencies must carefully evaluate their options as consulting fees are projected to reach $65 billion in 2025 and beyond.
The Multi-Agency IDIQ (MSD MAIDIQ) contract will provide flexibility across multiple federal agencies for IT and professional services. This contract vehicle emphasizes small business participation, though specific scope and contract details remain pending. Users should note that legal disclaimers apply to all contract-related information presented.
Similarly, the Special Operations Forces Global Support and Development (SOFGSD) contract will support specialized IT and technical services for military operations.
The Center for Telecommunications and Advanced Manufacturing (CenTAM) contract focuses on cutting-edge technologies, including 5G, IoT, and smart manufacturing solutions. This vehicle aligns with national technology priorities and may incorporate significant research and development components. The contract’s specifics and release date are still under development.
A major shift in federal IT contracting comes through the GSA-Consolidated GWACs initiative, following an executive order to consolidate IT contracting under GSA’s authority. This transformation requires GSA to become the executive agent for all IT GWACs within 30 days of the order, with agencies required to submit proposals for common goods and services by May 19, 2025.
This consolidation aims to reduce waste and duplication in federal procurement, streamlining the acquisition process for both agencies and vendors.
