8a STARS III - 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: (1) Analyzing, designing and applying the knowledge needed to investigate and provide an ET solution. (2) Providing technical expertise and guidance to plan, conduct, technically direct, document, test and assess ET implementations, including operating and sustaining ET implementations. (3) Analyzing the trade-off of implementing vs. not implementing ET, including cost-benefit analysis. Illustrative ET examples include but are not limited to: (1) Artificial Intelligence, including: Machine Learning, Deep Learning/Neural Networks, Natural Language Generation. (2) Autonomic Computing. (3) Blockchain and/or Distributed Ledger (4) Quantum Computing. (5) Robotic Process Automation. (6) Technological Convergence. (7) Virtual Reality, including: Augmented Reality, Extended Reality, Mixed Reality.

8a Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services (8a STARS III)

Federal Acquisition Service [GSA]

The Best-in-Class 8(a) STARS III GWAC is a small business set-aside contract that provides flexible access to customized IT solutions from a large, diverse pool of 8(a) industry partners. The 8(a) STARS III GWAC: *Expands capabilities for emerging technologies, *Supports both outside of the continental United States (OCONUS) and CONUS requirements, *Features limited protestability up to $10M, and *Offers expert guidance from the GSA team, including free scope review services and market research