FAST 2024 answers to common questions

April 24 Federal Acquisition Service Training answers

Read answers to trending questions we received during our April 27 monthly FAST training event.

Artificial intelligence

On April 29, we published our Generative AI and Specialized Computing Infrastructure Acquisition Resource Guide. This guide helps the acquisition workforce navigate the complexities of getting generative AI technologies. It includes an overview of generative AI, simplified complex technical IT and AI concepts, and links to additional information, resources, and training.

We strongly recommend having a cross-functional team that can review:

Outputs and performance of generative AI tools to ensure they are performing adequately and are compliant with the requirements and terms of a contract.
Requirements and inform the contracting officer in their determination as to how they should be classified.

Cybersecurity compliance

Acquisition professionals should be aware of rules and policies related to cybersecurity, privacy, and supply chain management when buying specialized computing infrastructure. For example, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a foundational resource that may be adopted voluntarily or through governmental policies and mandates.

It is a complement to other foundational resources such as the NIST 800-37 Risk Management Framework and SP 800-39 Managing Information Security Risk: Organization, Mission, and Information System View, providing you with a methodology that can help align all levels of a cyber strategy.

Every organization is at a different level of maturity in their risk management and cybersecurity programs, some more advanced than others because they have implemented a comprehensive set of best practices based on their mission and overall objectives. Through federal communities of interests, CIO council engagements, and forums like those facilitated by CISA and NIST, agencies can share lessons learned and effective ways to achieve an optimal and repeatable level of cyber capability.

QR code safety

Not all QR codes are safe. Scammers and others with malicious intent, can embed links that point you to websites to steal personal and/or sensitive information. Help keep your systems safe by checking out the Federal Trade Commission’s tips for how to protect yourself.

1102

In government contracting, an 1102 is a job series code used by the federal government for contracting officers.

18F

Departments and agencies within the federal government each have their own staffing and funding requirements. To see if our 18F program can help your team with AI service strategies, contact inquiries18f@gsa.gov. Our AI teams are composed of federal employees who can help you make sense of your data and build a foundation for developing AI services.

Alaska shipments

We recognize that shipping to Alaska can be logistically challenging. In an effort to make it easier to do business with us, we’ve established a ServMart Store at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Here’s a flyer about the store [PDF - 898 KB] and the services offered.

Buy.GSA.gov and Acquisition Gateway

Buy.GSA.gov is focused on providing buyers with the information, tools, and resources to get the most benefit when using our governmentwide contracts. Acquisition Gateway provides many of those same benefits, but in support of governmentwide category management principles and initiatives.

March 27 Federal Acquisition Service Training answers

Get information on the most commonly raised questions from our Innovative Solutions for the Future of Professional Services event.

One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services+ overview

The new OASIS+ website provides an overview of the contract and scope, including domains.

OASIS+ is on track to be designated as a Best-in-Class contract and will help agencies meet their spend under management goals. This designation identifies governmentwide contracts that satisfy key criteria defined by the Office of Management and Budget.

BIC solutions are vetted, well-managed, recommended and in some cases required for us. Interagency teams designate BIC contracts to reduce the amount of effort individual buyers spend finding and researching acquisition solutions.

OASIS+ scope

The OASIS+ scope is flexible enough to span both professional and other Service Contract Labor Standards covered services. Professional services are considered advisory, problem-solving, and intellectual in nature and require advanced subject matter knowledge.

This may include management and advisory services, technical and engineering services, research and development, financial services, business administration services, social services, marketing and public relations services, and legal services.

OASIS+ contract families

OASIS+ includes six separate and distinct IDIQ contracts designated under the following small business set-aside programs, including an additional IDIQ that will be awarded on an unrestricted basis:

Total Small Business
SBA-Certified 8(a) Small Business
SBA-Certified HUBZone Small Business
SBA-Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
- Vendors within the OASIS Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program must be Small Business Association certified for the small business designation.
SBA-Certified Women-Owned Small Business
Unrestricted
- Unrestricted government contracts are full and open contracts: all responsible sources can submit proposals, bids, or quotes.

OASIS+ domains

OASIS+ is organized by domains, which are designed to align order requirements to qualified industry partners. Read about the OASIS+ domains. We will introduce the financial services domain during phase two of our website development.

The OASIS+ Intelligence Services, or INTEL, domain focuses on command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission requirements. Organizational and technological capabilities improve situational awareness and enhance command and control strategies within defense and intelligence environments.

To determine the appropriate OASIS+ contract and domain, you will need to consider the specific requirement during acquisition planning.

Only one Domain and one NAICS code under one contract family must be selected for market research in the Symphony procurement tool.

OASIS+ and Information Technology services

IT is considered an ancillary support service or product and may be performed only when the service or product is integral and necessary to complete a total integrated solution.

“Non-IT” includes any service or equipment that is acquired by a contractor incidental to a contract or contains embedded IT that is used as an integral part of the service or product, but the principal function of which is not the acquisition, storage, analysis, evaluation, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information. For example, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, such as thermostats or temperature control devices, and medical equipment where IT is integral to its operation, is non-IT.

OASIS+ training

Training — delivered virtually and in person — will be offered at gsa.gov/events.

The virtual, instructor-led Delegation of Procurement Authority, also called DAP, training will have knowledge checks but no exam. Similar knowledge checks will be added as we build on-demand training.

More OASIS+ facts

The OASIS+ contracts have no contract ceiling or cap on awards.
Estimated award dates are throughout Q3 and Q4 FY 2024.
“Protests” are on our OASIS+ Program Risk Register.
Solicitation will re-open in fiscal year 2025.
There is a Contract Assessment Fee to use the OASIS contract.

For additional information or to contact our OASIS+ program, please email OASISPlus@gsa.gov.

Ordering tools

We manage several tools on buy.gsa.gov to support acquisition professionals, including:

Contract Awarded Labor Category tool

Our Pricing Intelligence Suite is your one-stop shop for contract and task order pricing information. You will find several unique CALC+ tools that will help you:

Assess the competitiveness of vendor pricing
Conduct market research
Develop Independent Government Cost Estimates
Review fully-burdened, not-to-exceed labor ceiling rates on MAS contracts

CALC+ should be used as a larger negotiation objective development strategy that seeks fair and reasonable pricing, according to FAR Subpart 15.4.

CALC+ labor ceiling rates data is based on reported negotiated and awarded not-to-exceed ceiling rates from Multiple Award Schedule contracts.

Civilian Services Acquisition Workshop

The Civilian Services Acquisition Workshop is a free, virtual five-day workshop that explores each step within the Steps to Performance Based Acquisition project. We’ve been providing CSAW for about four years.

Workshops are built around a specific acquisition and its integrated project team. Bookmark our CSAW page and check back regularly for upcoming trainings.

Complete our CSAW intake form [DOCX - 90 KB] and submit to csaw@gsa.gov if you would like to get started on the process.

CSAW requirements

CSAW is currently set up for requirements that are $50 million+, but if you submit your requirement information, we can set up a meeting to start a conversation. Please email csaw@gsa.gov.

CSAW support for other federal agencies

CSAW workshops can also support Department of Defense agencies in conjunction with the Defense Acquisition University. Please visit our website for more information and submit an intake form to get the conversation started.

Capability statements

A capability statement is a brief marketing document that highlights a firm’s primary services and products to its target agency. It’s a helpful resource for the acquisition community that should be direct and concise, giving a snapshot of a company’s area of expertise. Learn how to request a small business Governmentwide Acquisition Contract capability statement.

Scope compatibility reviews

You can request a free Governmentwide Acquisition Contract scope compatibility review for your statement of work by completing our online form. Scope reviews are completely optional however we highly recommend them if you are unsure whether your requirement is a fit for a GSA contract program.

OMB Max

Some of our tools are open to federal employees only. To learn how to get an OMB Max account, visit https://portal.max.gov/portal/home.

Award information

The list of GSA awarded contractors is available for most contract programs at GSA eLibrary.

Additional acquisition workforce resources

CSOD represents the Cornerstone OnDemand service that is part of our Federal Acquisition Institute.
You can find recordings of previous FAST training events here, at gsa.gov/FAST. Bookmark this page and subscribe for email updates. Share your feedback with us at gsaacquisitiontraining@gsa.gov.
Learn all about using our Multiple Award Schedule.
Learn how to use the MAS 8(a) Pool.