Teaming Required for GSA's Alliant GWAC The General Services Administration’s proposed Alliant governmentwide acquisition contract – the largest multiple award contract vehicle in history — will not set aside work for small businesses and will require small firms to form teams to win a place on the contract. GSA says it plans to “reserve” five of the approximately 20 awards under the GWAC for small businesses. But it has not determined the evaluation criteria to ensure that small firms win the awards. According to GSA’s plan, each Alliant contractor will be required to offer a full range of IT services. “Given the magnitude of Alliant…we feel it will be difficult for any small business to go it alone on the contract. Therefore, we are encouraging industry to team up,” the agency said in answers to questions posed at the two Alliant industry days last month. The questions and answers are posted on the website www.gsa.gov/alliant. Alliant is the successor to the Millennia and Answer GWACS, which will be allowed to expire. Alliant will be a 15-year contract with a projected ceiling of $150 billion. The new vehicle has not yet been approved by GSA’s top management or by the Office of Management and Budget, said Donna Bennett, commissioner of the Federal Supply Service. She spoke April 1 at a conference sponsored by Federal Sources Inc. at Tysons Corner, VA. If it is approved, GSA hopes to issue a request for comments in September. Awards would come next year. Originally, the planners of the Alliant vehicle had intended to award the “reserved” contracts to coalitions or teams of small businesses. But GSA said it is now exploring whether the teams might include both large and small firms. It said details of the teaming arrangement will be posted at the website as soon as they are determined. “The Alliant contract is not being written specifically for the small business community,” the agency said. “…. Alliant will give small business the opportunity to compete and win seats on the contract against large businesses.” But the Q&A said most details about small business participation have not yet been set.