The General Services Administration (GSA) finalized Phase One contract awards for the Polaris GWAC SDVOSB HUBZone pools, selecting a total of 53 small businesses for the high-value information technology (IT) contract vehicle. These awards mark a critical milestone in GSA’s strategy to leverage specialized small business categories for emerging technology acquisition across the federal government.
Driving IT Modernization with Small Businesses
Federal agencies now possess a simplified pathway to procure customized IT services and solutions, including capabilities like artificial intelligence, automation, edge computing, and distributed ledger technology, through the Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). GSA designed the 10-year indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle to significantly expand the federal vendor base, granting agencies easier access to cutting-edge technologies offered by innovative small businesses. This contracting vehicle actively directs billions of dollars toward firms that embody critical socio-economic goals.
Finalizing the Socio-Economic Pools
GSA selected 23 successful offerors for the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Pool from 251 proposals received. This pool ensures contracting opportunities support businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans.
The agency also awarded spots to 30 companies for the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Pool from 180 proposals. The HUBZone program incentivizes job creation and capital investment in distressed communities.
The final selection process involved meticulous review of the “apparently successful offerors” (ASOs) announced earlier and resolution of any status challenges to maintain compliance and fairness. These Phase One awards launch the vehicle’s specialized socio-economic component, though other eligible companies remain candidates for subsequent phases.
Looking Ahead
The Polaris GWAC SDVOSB HUBZone pools are poised to become the premier IT acquisition resource for federal agencies, succeeding the expired Alliant 2 Small Business contract. Awardees can now compete for lucrative task orders focused on driving digital transformation and modernizing government services across the federal enterprise. The awards for the remaining Small Business and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) pools are still pending.
