In this season of IDIQs and GWACs, one of the most illustrious GWACs is the 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services II (STARS II). With a ceiling of $10 billion and spanning for 10 years, agencies can buy information assurance, cybersecurity, and custom computer programming while also focusing on long-term goals of these small businesses, strengthening them from within. STARS II has each type of small business, with the largest portion—35 percent—of awards going to woman-owned small businesses.
The contract is divided into two levels, known as Constellations. The first level, Constellation I, is the trail ground– contractors must prove their technical prowess and offer competitive prices. The second level, Constellation II, must fulfill all the requirements of Constellation I, in addition to having credentials such as ISO 9001:2000 and CMMI Level II (or higher) – DEV, to name a few.
There are four NAISC codes that are crucial for this GWAC. They are:
- 541511 — Custom Computer Programming Services
- 541512 — Computer Systems Design Services
- 541513 — Computer Facilities Management Services
- 541519 — Other Computer Related Services
There are also several labor categories here
The total minimum guarantee under this GWAC is $250, which is considered complete when the awardee receives a task order worth the same. STAR II awardees are also required to meet contract sales minimums — $100,000 for Constellation I and $250,000 for Constellation II. Not meeting these minimum will make those contractors ineligible for the basic contract option period.
In the last five years, agencies have contracted more than $2.5 billion on 1,864 task orders through STARS II. Department of Defense ($534 million), State ($310 million) and Agriculture ($216 million) are the largest customers. STARS II has also seen steadily increasing levels of obligations, with more than $1 billion reported in FY 2014.
The STARS II GWAC has multiple benefits, which include:
- Allows for long term planning of large scale program requirements
- Offers flexibility of contract types to mitigate risk
- Facilitates integrated IT solutions
- Enables federal clients to earn 8(a) small business credit
- Saves time and money by reducing procurement lead time
- Promotes contract compliance and reduces risk of adverse audits
- FAR 16.505 Fair Opportunity process supports best value awards
- Minimizes protest risk and supports timely order award for optimal mission support
- Low access fee of 0.75 percent
