STARS III (Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resource For Services)

What is STARSIII8A (Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resource For Services)?

STARS III, formally known as the 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resource for Services III Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. It is designed to provide federal agencies with IT services and IT services-based solutions from vetted 8(a) small businesses.

Definition

STARS III is administered by the General Services Administration (GSA) and offers a streamlined procurement process for federal agencies. The primary goal of STARS III is to support agencies in achieving their mission objectives by providing access to a pool of qualified 8(a) small businesses offering a wide range of IT solutions. The contract is awarded exclusively to firms certified as 8(a) by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This ensures that agencies using STARS III are directly supporting small business development and compliance with federal socio-economic goals. It allows for sole-source awards up to a certain threshold (check current regulations), and supports both fixed-price and time-and-materials task orders.

Key Points

• 8(a) Advantage: STARS III is exclusively for 8(a) certified small businesses, helping agencies meet their socio-economic contracting goals and fostering competition.
• Broad Scope: The contract covers a wide range of IT services, including emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and automation.
• Streamlined Acquisition: STARS III simplifies the procurement process through pre-vetted contractors and pre-negotiated contract terms.
• Flexibility: Agencies can use various contract types, including fixed-price, time-and-materials, and labor-hour, to meet their specific needs.

Practical Examples

1. Agency IT Modernization: A federal agency needs to modernize its legacy IT systems. They can use STARS III to award a task order to an 8(a) firm specializing in cloud migration and cybersecurity to implement a secure, scalable cloud solution.
2. Cybersecurity Enhancement: An agency needs to enhance its cybersecurity posture. Utilizing STARS III, they can quickly procure services from an 8(a) certified cybersecurity expert to conduct a vulnerability assessment, implement security controls, and provide training to agency personnel.
3. Development of a new Application: A federal agency can use the STARS III contract to procure application development services from an 8(a) small business to create a custom application tailored to their specific needs.