GSA Stars III | Simple Technology Solutions

STARS III Overview

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resource for Services (STARS) III, is an 8(a) set-aside Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) and OMB designated Best-in-Class (BIC) contract. It provides flexible access to customized IT solutions from exceptionally capable, SBA-certified 8(a) industry partners. STARS III enables federal agencies to buy total IT solutions while assisting with meeting or exceeding 8(a) socioeconomic utilization goals.

Contract Features Include:

$50B ceiling;
Directed task order awards up to $4.5M;
Limited protestability up to $10M;
Five-year ordering period with one three-year option period, performance can extend 5 years beyond the contract ordering end date;
Emerging Technology task areas;
FFP, T&M, Labor Hour, and Hybrid contract types;
Pre-competed, easy-to-use with streamlined ordering procedures based on FAR 16.505;
Complimentary scope compatibility reviews; and
Alignment with Executive Order 13985 - Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

Data Management

Data Management is the development, execution, and supervision of plans, policies, programs, and practices that control, protect, deliver, and enhance the value of data and information assets. Examples of Data Management services include, but are not limited to:

Cloud Computing Services,
Data Architecture,
Analysis and Design,
Data Governance,
Data Migration,
Data Quality Management,
Data Security Management,
Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence Management,
Document, Record and Content Management,
Network and Individual Storage Management

Information & Communications Technology

Information and Communications Technology refers to the technology used to manage telecommunications, broadcast media, intelligent building management systems, audiovisual processing and transmission systems, and network-based control and monitoring functions. Examples of Information and Communications Technology services include, but are not limited to:

Collaboration Technology Services,
IPv6 Implementation and Support Services,
Telepresence and Video Services,
Virtual Private Network (VPN) and other Remote Network Access Services,
Virtualization Services,
Voice over IP (VoIP) Services,
Wireless Services

IT Operations & Maintenance

IT Operations and Maintenance includes the operation and management of technology infrastructure. Examples of IT Operations and Maintenance services include, but are not limited to:

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Support Services,
Data Center Management,
Email and File Server Management,
IT Helpdesk / IT Support,
IT Training,
Mobile Device Management,
PC Provisioning, Server, and
Device Management

IT Security / IT Workforce Augmentation

IT Security / IT Workforce Augmentation, often referred to as cyber security, is the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access. Examples of IT Security services include but are not limited to:

Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation,
Continuous Security Monitoring Services,
Identity Management and Access Management,
Information Assurance,
Intrusion Detection,
IT Disaster Recovery Services,
IT Security Incident Response,
Network Security Monitoring,
Security Assessment Services, and
Vulnerability Analysis Services

Software Development

Software Development is the process of developing software through successive phases in an orderly way. This process includes not only the actual writing of code but also the preparation of requirements and objectives, the design of what is to be coded, and confirmation that what is developed has met objectives. All software development methodologies, including Agile, are supported. Examples of Software Development services include but are not limited to:

Mobile Application Development Services,
Software Design,
Software Maintenance,
Software Programming,
Software Testing,
Web Development

Systems Design

Systems Design includes the planning and designing of computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software, and communication technologies. The hardware and software components of the system may be provided by this establishment or company as part of a customized IT solution. These establishments often install the system and train and support users of the system. Examples of Systems Design services include, but are not limited to:

Computer Systems Integration,
Design Consulting Services,
Configuration Management Services,
Information Management Computer Systems Integration Design Services,
IT Specifications Development,
Network Infrastructure Design,
Office Automation Computer Systems Integration Design Services,
Smart Buildings Systems Integration

Emerging IT Technology

Emerging Technology-Focused IT Services – This scope sub-area provides for IT services-based solutions which involve emerging technology (ET) innovation to securely accelerate transformation and advance mission outcomes. A task order requirement can fit in this sub-area if it includes IT services-based solutions with ET as the focus.

ET can be understood as evolving state-of-the-art information technologies and their use in solutions to improve and/or transform business processes and enhance mission delivery. ET includes those technologies that are not yet mature in the marketplace and have the potential for wide-spread adoption. These technologies are in the early stages of their life cycles and have been implemented by early adopters.

Rather than specifying predetermined technology solutions, agencies considering ET are encouraged to succinctly focus on articulating in the task order requirement the business problems they face, e.g. through the use of a statement of objective approach. ET activities include, but are not limited to:

Analyzing, designing and applying the knowledge needed to investigate and provide an ET solution.
Providing technical expertise and guidance to plan, conduct, technically direct, document, test and
assess ET implementations, including operating and sustaining ET implementations.
Analyzing the trade-off of implementing vs. not implementing ET, including cost-benefit analysis.

Illustrative ET examples include but are not limited to: