In this update, we delve into the advancements of the Centers of Excellence (CoE) initiated by the General Services Administration (GSA) and its significance in enhancing the federal IT infrastructure. Notable progress has been made since the project’s inception, with key awards issued in March. This article provides insights into the ongoing phases, the companies involved, and the potential for businesses holding GSA IT 70 Schedule contracts to contribute to this transformative initiative.
Since January, the CoE project has seen significant progress, with awards issued in March to five reputable companies. Each was designated a specific focus area including:
- SIE Consulting Group for Cloud Adoption;
- McKinsey & Company, Inc. for IT Infrastructure Optimization;
- ICF Incorporated, LLC for Customer Experience;
- Kaiser Associates, Inc. for Contact Center;
- and ICF Incorporated, LLC for Service Delivery Analytics.
The aim is to streamline government-citizen interactions through an enhanced IT infrastructure.
Opportunities for GSA IT 70 Schedule Holders:
Phase II was put into motion at the beginning of August by issuing a solicitation to eBuy. The government chose from companies that were on the GSA It Schedule 70.
These opportunities are only available for GSA IT 70 Schedule holders. Once you have a GSA Contract, you will have access to these solicitations and others like them, through the GSA’s eBuy site. To obtain a GSA Contract you must have experience selling the product or service you are offering to the Government and be in business for at least two years; unless you qualify for the springboard program. For more information on how to get a GSA Contract, give our experts a call today!
GSA’s Requirement for CoE Staffing Support:
To support the CoE’s objectives, the GSA is actively seeking staffing support. An RFQ was released in December 2017, with a due date of January 8, 2018. The contract, with a potential duration of one year and two one-year options, aims to designate the Agriculture Department as the first client agency for the CoE initiative.
The CoEs will focus on critical areas, including cloud adoption, customer experience enhancement, IT infrastructure optimization, and service delivery analytics. The goal is to collaborate directly with customer agencies, recommend solutions, identify suitable contract vehicles, and oversee implementation.
Future Phases and Duration:
The CoE initiative is expected to take approximately three months to become operational, with monthly progress reports tracked by the GSA. Additionally, a second phase related to the planning process in the first phase will be bid out separately.
The GSA’s initiative to establish Centers of Excellence represents a significant opportunity for businesses to contribute to the transformation of federal IT infrastructure. Stay tuned for further updates on this groundbreaking project, and if you are a GSA IT 70 Schedule holder or if you would like assistance responding to this RFQ, give our team a call!
