Short Answer
A GWAC (government-wide acquisition contract) is a multiple-award IDIQ contract for information technology that one agency sets up for every federal agency to use, under a designation from OMB. Examples include GSA's Alliant, 8(a) STARS III, VETS 2 and Polaris. Broader vehicles like OASIS+ and the GSA Schedule are governmentwide too, but they aren't GWACs.
"GWAC" is one of the most used, and misused, terms in federal contracting. People use it for almost any big governmentwide contract. It actually has a specific legal meaning, and understanding it helps you understand how agencies buy and which vehicles your company should pursue.
What a GWAC is
A GWAC (government-wide acquisition contract) is a task order or delivery order contract for information technology, established by one agency for use across the federal government and operated under an executive agent designation from the Office of Management and Budget.
Three things define it:
- It's for IT. That's what separates a GWAC from other governmentwide vehicles.
- It's governmentwide. Any federal agency can use it, with the right authority.
- It's pre-competed. The holders were selected in a large competition, and agencies compete task orders among them.
GWAC vs. other contract vehicles
| Vehicle | What it is | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| GWAC | Governmentwide IDIQ for IT under an OMB designation | IT products and services |
| MAC (multi-agency contract) | An IDIQ one agency sets up for other agencies to use | Any supplies or services |
| GSA Schedule (MAS) | GSA's Federal Supply Schedule program | Products and services of almost every kind |
| BPA | A simplified arrangement for repeat purchases, often set up on a Schedule | Whatever the underlying contract covers |
| IDIQ | The contract type most of the above are built on | Anything |
OASIS+ isn't a GWAC. It's a governmentwide, multiple-award IDIQ for professional services across 13 domains, from technical and engineering to management and logistics. Because it isn't IT-specific, it doesn't meet the GWAC definition. The same goes for the GSA Schedule. See What Is OASIS+?.
The major GWACs in 2026
| GWAC | Who holds it | Status as of September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Alliant 2 (GSA) | Large and small IT firms | Open for orders through June 2028 |
| Alliant 3 (GSA) | IT services firms | First awards announced February 2026; ordering began in March 2026 |
| 8(a) STARS III (GSA) | 8(a) firms | Open through July 2029; fully awarded |
| VETS 2 (GSA) | Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses | Open for orders through February 2028 |
| Polaris (GSA) | Small business pools | WOSB, HUBZone and SDVOSB pools open; the general small business pool was still delayed by protests as of early 2026 |
| NASA SEWP V / VI | IT product and services providers | SEWP V extended to January 2027; SEWP VI awarded in June 2026 with management moving to GSA. See What Is SEWP VI? |
| NIH CIO-SP3 / CIO-CS | IT firms | Last day for new orders is October 29, 2026 |
NIH's planned successor, CIO-SP4, was cancelled in early 2026.
Why GWACs are changing
In 2025, an executive order directed the consolidation of governmentwide IT contracts under GSA. That's why NIH's GWACs are winding down and why GSA is taking over management of NASA's SEWP program. For companies, it means:
- Fewer, larger vehicles, mostly managed by GSA
- More competition concentrated on the vehicles that remain
- Agencies shifting existing requirements to GSA vehicles as older ones close
If you currently rely on a vehicle that's being sunset, plan now for where that work will go.
How agencies buy through a GWAC
- Task orders are competed among the GWAC's holders, with each holder given a fair opportunity for orders above the micro-purchase threshold.
- Contracting officers need authority. For GSA's GWACs, the ordering contracting officer needs a delegation of procurement authority from GSA, which requires training.
- There's a small fee. GSA's GWACs carry a contract access fee, generally 0.75%, billed on task orders.
Getting on a GWAC
Most GWACs are awarded through large, periodic competitions and don't accept new contractors between them. Some hold on-ramps or add award phases. Until the next opportunity, many companies participate as subcontractors to current holders, which also builds the experience they'll need to compete as a prime.
If you're not in IT, the governmentwide vehicles that matter most are usually the GSA Schedule and OASIS+. If you serve the Navy, look at SeaPort NxG.
Where to go from here
The right contract vehicle depends on what you sell, who you sell to, and which certifications you hold. If you're mapping out which vehicles to pursue, we can help you build a plan around where the work is actually going.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GSA Schedule a GWAC?
No. The GSA Multiple Award Schedule is a Federal Supply Schedule program covering products and services of every kind. A GWAC is specifically an IT contract established under an OMB executive agent designation.
Is OASIS+ a GWAC?
Not technically. OASIS+ is a governmentwide, multiple-award IDIQ for professional services across 13 domains. Because it isn't an IT-specific contract, it doesn't meet the definition of a GWAC, even though people often use the term loosely.
Who can buy from a GWAC?
Federal agencies, and other entities GSA authorizes. For GSA's GWACs, a contracting officer needs a written delegation of procurement authority from GSA, which requires training, before placing orders.
How do companies get on a GWAC?
Only when a GWAC is competed or holds an on-ramp. Most are awarded through large, periodic competitions and don't accept new contractors between them. Subcontracting to current holders is a common way to participate in the meantime.
Are GWACs changing in 2026?
Yes. A 2025 executive order is consolidating IT GWACs under GSA. NIH's CIO-SP4 was cancelled, the remaining NIH GWACs stop taking new orders on October 29, 2026, and management of NASA's SEWP is moving to GSA.
Written by Kurt Karslioglu, Director of Sales
Kurt leads business development at Pera Inc. and guides small businesses through GSA MAS offers, OASIS+ submissions, and federal construction and defense proposals.
Related Guides
What Is NASA SEWP VI? A Guide for IT Contractors
NASA SEWP VI explained: the three categories, who won, how agencies order, the 0.34% fee, the move from SEWP V, and GSA's planned takeover.
OASIS+What Is OASIS+? A Guide for Small Businesses
OASIS+ is GSA's governmentwide contract for professional services across 13 domains. How it works, who can get on it, and how qualification is scored.
Contract VehiclesWhat Is SeaPort NxG? A Guide for Small Businesses
SeaPort NxG is the Navy's main contract vehicle for engineering and program management services. How it works, who can get on it, and how to prepare.
OASIS+OASIS+ vs. GSA MAS: Which Should You Pursue First?
OASIS+ and GSA MAS are both GSA governmentwide contracts, but they work very differently. How they compare, and how to decide which to pursue first.