Frequently Asked Questions for 8(a) STARS

What is the difference between 8(a) STARS and 8(a) FAST2? What was changed and why?
A: The GSA Federal Technology Service (FTS) awarded the original 8(a) FAST contracts in 1997. The FTS assisted services program at that time was known and marketed as Federal Acquisition Services for Technology, or FAST. We decided to change the name of this new 8(a) contract to eliminate the confusion between the contracts and the FTS assisted services program, formerly known as FAST. The solicitation was released in 2003 under 8(a) FAST2; however, it was decided to rename the contract vehicle to 8(a) STARS prior to award.

What does STARS stand for?
A: Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services

Do you think there is a meaningful overall advantage, value proposition or message for your offering?
A: Yes. The 8(a) GWACs are very attractive to customers due to the unique procurement authority granted to 8(a) firms by statute. In addition, the Small Business GWAC Center is a resource for customers and industry with regard to small business contracting rules and regulations. Customers may conduct set-aside competitions using our GWACs as an alternative to lengthy and costly full and open competitions. Acquisition Center training and support is also a plus.

How can I learn more about the 8(a) STARS contract and its contractors?
A: 8(a) STARS has its own web page at www.gsa.gov/8astars. The Small Business GWAC Center also manages a toll-free number at (877) 327-8732.

Where can I find ordering procedures for 8(a) STARS?
A: The Small Business GWAC Center is preparing a guide for ordering activities, industry and end-users. The guide should be complete and available on our web page in early June with bound copies expected by October 2004.

<<top>>

What does the Small Business GWAC Center do?
A: The Small Business GWAC Center is the GSA organization responsible for awarding and administering the contracts under its purview. GSA receives annual approval as an Executive Agent from the Office of Management and Budget to manage governmentwide contracts for federal agency use. The Center must maintain strict standards with regard to contract and task order oversight in order to continue its operations. It accomplishes this through its communications and training held with customers and industry partners throughout the year.

What is a GWAC?
A: Definition of GWAC (FAR 2.101):
“Governmentwide acquisition contract (GWAC)” means a task-order or delivery-order contract for information technology established by one agency for Government wide use that is operated--
(1) By an executive agent designated by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to Section 5112(e) of the Clinger-Cohen Act, 40 U.S.C. 1412(e); …”

GWACs have unique features and benefits that make them sought after alternatives when choosing an acquisition strategy for your next technology procurement.

• Fully competed, total information technology and network solutions contracts
• Worldwide coverage
• Technology refreshment
• Non-protestable
• Addition of skill levels at task order level
• Program office support and oversight
• Section 803 compliance

Did a company need a GSA Schedule contract prior to receiving an award under 8(a) STARS?
A: No. One of our goals is to provide an opportunity for small businesses to develop a track record and move on to larger, more competitive environments such as the GSA Schedule contracts.

What can be purchased using 8(a) STARS?
A: 8(a) STARS contracts are primarily for technology services. Hardware, software and related supplies may be procured as part of an integrated solution. Leasing is prohibited under this GWAC.

<<top>>

What is the GSA fee for using 8(a) STARS?
A: There is a contract access fee of 0.75% built into the contractors’ labor rates. This fee covers operating costs associated with contract administration and training customers on the proper use of the contracts.

How does a federal agency access 8(a) STARS contracts?
A. Ordering offices have two methods of accessing the 8(a) STARS contracts. A contracting officer may request a delegation of authority from the Small Business GWAC Center to use the contracts. An ordering activity may also reach the 8(a) STARS contracts through the assisted services offered by the GSA Federal Technology Service.

Can state and local governments buy off of 8(a) STARS?
No. Since 8(a) STARS is a Government Wide Acquisition Contract, or GWAC, it is authorized by the Clinger-Cohen Act to provide technology solutions to the federal government only. Special authority was granted to GSA to offer the IT Schedule 70 contracts to state and local governments to assist them in meeting their technology requirements.

How do the functional areas work?
A: 8(a) STARS has eight functional areas based on codes found in the North American Industrial Classification System, or NAICS. Contract awards were made on a best value basis to companies who met the qualifications unique to the respective functional areas. The ordering contracting officer must make a determination that the predominant scope of the requirement rests in one particular funtional area. Once that determination is made, the requirement (if over the $3 million competitive threshold) is competed among all of the companies in that functional area. For more information on NAICS codes, please visit the 8(a) STARS web page at www.gsa.gov/8astars and click on the Census Bureau-NAICS Definition link.

Are sole-source task orders permitted under 8(a) STARS?
A: Yes, task orders under the $3 million competitive threshold may be awarded on a sole-source basis based on the provisions of Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)) and FAR 19.8. Contract holders may utilize this unique provision based on self-marketing efforts or past performance. All contract holders within a functional area must be given fair opportunity to compete when requirements exceed the $3 million competitive threshold in accordance with FAR Part 16.

<<top>>

How many skill levels does each functional area have?
A:
FA 1 – 17 skill levels
FA 2 – 19 skill levels
FA 3 – 13 skill levels
FA 4 – 9 skill levels
FA 5 – 17 skill levels
FA 6 – 11 skill levels
FA 7 – 10 skill levels
FA 8 – 15 skill levels

Total: 111 skill levels

What happens to orders placed on the current 8(a) FAST contract?
A: Orders may continue to be placed against existing 8(a) FAST contracts until October 1, 2004. The period of performance may not exceed October 31, 2005. Customers with new requirements are encouraged to utilize the 8(a) STARS contracts as they offer a broader scope and longer period of performance utilizing an excellent portfolio of 8(a) certified industry partners.

What can a company do if they either missed the solicitation or were not awarded a contract under 8(a) STARS?
A: We encourage all companies to consider subcontracting or teaming arrangements with any of the 8(a) STARS industry partners. A list of awardees is available on the 8(a) STARS web page at www.gsa.gov/8astars. Provisions are built into the contract to add companies to the pool of contractors through an open season; however, GSA must present a business case to the Office of Management and Budget for obtain approval prior to re-opening any of its GWAC offerings.

Why should a federal agency consider using 8(a) STARS GWAC?
A: We recommend federal agencies regularly consider GWACs in their acquisition strategy for a variety of reasons such as limited protestability, pre-qualified pool of industry partners and acquiring the total solution under one vehicle. In addition, 8(a) STARS has the unique benefit of sole source orders up to the $3 million competitive threshold – a benefit not found in any other contracting vehicle. This saves the customer a great deal of time and money by not having to use the open-market provisions for 8(a) contracting outlined in FAR Part 19.

What is the performance period of 8(a) STARS?
A: 8(a) STARS is a seven-year contract with a base period of three years and two, two-year option periods. The performance period began on June 1, 2004 and ends on May 31, 2011 if all options are exercised.

<<top>>

What is the maximum order limit under 8(a) STARS?
A: There is no maximum order limit; however, there is a program ceiling of $15 billion. The program ceiling is reduced as orders are placed against the contracts.

How does GSA manage contracts with companies who aren’t utilizing their 8(a) STARS contract?
A: One of GSA’s strategic goals is to operate efficiently and effectively. In support of this goal, the Small Business GWAC Center will be monitoring the amount of sales produced by its industry partners. Contract holders who fail to produce more than $100,000 in sales during the first three years of the contract will find their contract terminated by the government. This ensures that we effectively manage the costs associated with contract administration and continue to support GSA’s fiscal responsibility to the taxpayer.

Are the 8(a) STARS contracts available for use in GSA’s E-Buy procurement tool?
A: Not at the present time; however, we anticipate that all of GSA’s GWACs will be available on GSA’s E-Library in October 2004 and in E-Buy in fiscal year 2005.

How does 8(a) STARS work with the provisions of Section 803 of the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act, which requires Department of Defense activities to obtain three bids on a Request for Quote/Request for Proposal?
A. The 8(a) STARS contracts were awarded under the provisions of Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)) and FAR part 19.8. Based upon the statutory authority for directed (sole-source) 8(a) awards to be placed at or below the $3 million competition threshold, the contracting officer may waive and can easily document the competition waiver for orders at or below the competition threshold placed against the 8(a) STARS contracts. However, the competition requirements of DFARS 216.505-70 are still applicable for orders above the competition threshold for 8(a) contracts unless the contracting officer waives this requirement on the basis of a written determination that - (1) one of the exceptions described in FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i) through (iv) applies to the order; or (2) a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the purchase be made from a specified source. The GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy has determined that directed orders at or below the competitive threshold placed against the 8(a) STARS contracts meet the qualification for exception to competition outlined in Section 803 of the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act.

<<top>>

Where do I find the GSA logo? What are the guidelines for use?
A: The GSA logo, know as the GSA Star Mark, and brand guidelines are available on GSA’s website, www.gsa.gov/marketingpartnership. 8(a) STARS contractors should download the logo entitled GSA Contract Holder located under the GSA Logo Downloads link. Guidelines for use of this logo are posted under the link GSA Logo Guidelines. Typing in “logo” in the Search bar from www.gsa.gov will work as well.

Are 8(a) STARS contractors allowed to form subcontractor teaming arrangements? If so, how much work may be subcontracted?
Yes. Subcontractor teaming arrangements under 8(a) STARS are extremely flexible and are permissible the task order level. Since this contract vehicle is set-aside, all subcontracting shall be shown on initial quotes. In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 13 CFR 125.6 a small business concern contracting for services has agreed that, the concern will perform at least 50 percent of the cost of the contract incurred for personnel with its own employees. The location of the full text of this CFR can be found at http://www.sba.gov/library/cfrs/13cfr125.html. This is also stated in the contract in FAR Clause 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting. Contracting officers may request a statement from the contractor that shows the amount of work to be subcontracted on a task. All contract holders are responsible for managing the balance of workload being performed under their contracts.

<<top>>