Solicitation : 8(A) STARS III

Sources sought has dropped for 8(a) Stars III!

Scheduled Release Date: October 2019

We are currently in the process of scheduling our workload for helping 8(a) firms obtain a place on the STARS III contracting vehicle. This is on a first come, first served basis! Our past experience with our clients who obtained a STARS II contract was that this is a must-have contracting vehicle for an 8(a) firm working in the IT space.

About 8(a) Stars III

Stars III will phase out the aging Stars II GWAC. For the 7-year period from 2012 to 2019, the Stars II contracting vehicle accounted for more than $9 billion in federal sales with over 4,700 task orders issued.

STARS II Stats

Timeframe	8(a) STARS II Sales	8(a) STARS II Vendors	Average Sales
Total Sales 2012-2019	9,049,274,510	788	16,159,418
Average Sales Per Firm Per Year			2,308,488

STARS III Draft Solicitation is currently on fbo.gov

A significant eligibility factor in STARSIII is a $1M (including option years) past performance requirement for each functional area. To add to that requirement, a proposing firm isn’t allowed to use a past performance contract in more than one functional area and the project must have been performed in the last 2 years or be ongoing with 1 year completed. They have added two additional functional areas this time so they now include:

Custom Computer Programming Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Computer Facilities Management Services
Other Computer Related Services
Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
Emerging Technology-focused IT Services

Sources sought has dropped for 8(a) Stars III!

SOLICITATION: 8(A) STARS III

Estimated RELEASE DATE: October 2019

EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Late 2020 for a 5-year period likely ending in 2025 with an option to extend.

SIZE OF CONTRACT:

$10 billion ceiling and a 5-year base period with one 5-year option.

WHY THIS CONTRACTING VEHICLE EXISTS:

8(a) STARS III allows for long-term planning for agencies of large-scale program requirements. This is because an 8(a) firm that has graduated from the SBA program can continue to be awarded contracts, under the STARS III Contracting Vehicles, as if it is still an active 8(a) for the duration of its STARS III contract.

SIZE OF CONTRACTS:

8(a) STARS III allows for directed task order awards to the contract holder for orders under $4 million (including options). Orders greater than $4 million are more commonly competed among the firms that are on the 8(a) Stars II contract based upon the firm’s area of expertise.

GRAPH OF ANNUAL PURCHASING OFF THE 8(A) STARS I AND STARS II:

CURRENT STARS II CONSTELLATION AWARDEES

Category /Description	# Firms in Category
C1 FA1 Custom Computer Programming Services NAICS Code: 5411511	679
C1 FA2 Computer Systems Design Services NAICS Code: 541512	690
C1 FA3 Computer Facilities Management Services NAICS Code: 541513	559
C1 FA4 Other Computer Related Services NAICS Code: 541519	624
C2 FA1 Customer Computer Programming Services – Constellation II contractors* NAICS Code: 5411511	219
C2 FA2 Computer Systems Design Services – Constellation II contractors* NAICS Code: 541512	218
C2 FA3 Computer Facilities Management Services – Constellation II contractors* NAICS Code: 541513	191
C2 FA4 Other Computer Related Services – Constellation II contractors* NAICS Code: 541519	210

*Constellation II contractors possess one or more of the following credentials: ISO 9001:2000, ISO 9001:2008, CMMI Level II (or higher) – DEV or CMMI Level II (or higher) – SVC

NAICS Code	Description
541511	Custom Computer Programming
541512	Computer Systems Design
41513	Computer Facilities Management
541519	Other Computer Related Services

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

8(a) Certification and working in the IT industry
Two to three past performance examples per each functional area;
Financially stable firm as evidenced by financial statements;
Execute a marketing plan to generate sales;
Execute a comprehensive contract administration plan to ensure compliance with all administrative and compliance requirements;
Must have competitive rates that are most favorable to the GSA when compared to previously offered rates to other customers.
GSA Schedule 70 simplifies the 8(a) STARS III Process