Snapshot
BLUF: New FAR Part 19 guidance shifts 8(a) awards toward more competition, making vehicles like GSA MAS and STARS III essential pathways for growth.
Relevance: For 8(a) firms, relying solely on sole-source opportunities is no longer enough. Agencies will increasingly compete work through familiar, low-risk vehicles—especially GSA MAS.
Action: Secure a GSA MAS contract, align SINs and NAICS with your core strengths, and build a proactive go-to-market plan. Position now, and you’ll be ready as more competed 8(a) opportunities flow through MAS.
What the New FAR Part 19 Guidance Means for 8(a) Firms—and Why GSA MAS Should Be on Your Short List
GSA’s recent Class Deviation for FAR Part 19, supporting Executive Order 14275 (Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement), signals a significant shift in federal procurement policy. Rather than a minor update, this change directs contracting officers to prioritize competition among small businesses—including 8(a) firms—even for requirements that previously might have been awarded on a sole-source basis under traditional 8(a) thresholds. In practical terms, 8(a) firms should expect more competitive opportunities, even for contracts of lower dollar value, wherever agencies can reasonably compete them. If your business is prepared to be found and compete, this is a positive development. However, if your strategy is focused primarily on directed awards, these changes may present new challenges.
Where Contracting Officers Will Compete 8(a) Work
To meet mission needs quickly while adhering to the new competition requirements, contracting officers are likely to use acquisition vehicles that are straightforward, familiar, and defensible:
- 8(a) STARS III for IT Services and Solutions: This contract vehicle remains the preferred choice for competed 8(a) IT procurements. Firms already on STARS III should continue keeping their capabilities current, monitoring the task order pipeline, and aligning services to evolving priorities in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data management.
- GSA Multiple Award Schedule (GSA MAS) for Non-IT and Mixed Requirements: GSA MAS serves as a clear and efficient option for agencies seeking to solicit multiple 8(a) quotes for professional services, facilities, logistics, human resources, training, marketing, and other categories under FAR 8.4 procedures. Agencies can set aside GSA MAS orders for 8(a) firms, utilize eBuy for swift RFQs, and establish Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) to streamline recurring needs. The GSA MAS process is well understood and offers a lower risk of protest, especially for lower-dollar orders and actions within scope.
If you are an 8(a) firm without a place on STARS III (for IT) or GSA MAS (for non-IT), you risk missing out on a growing number of competed opportunities that agencies are now encouraged to run.
How 8(a) Firms Can Position Themselves Now
- Secure Your GSA MAS Position: If you do not currently hold a GSA MAS contract, obtaining one should be a priority. GSA MAS is the most versatile, widely used, and competition-friendly platform available to 8(a) firms outside of IT-focused GWACs. While the application process can be complex, it is predictable and document-driven for those who understand how to present past performance, pricing, and disclosures.
- Select the Right SINs and NAICS Codes: Agencies will favor simple justifications for competition. Ensuring your Schedule Item Numbers (SINs) and NAICS codes align with your core capabilities and buyers’ historic spending makes it easier for contracting offices to include your firm in the competition.
- Design a GSA MAS-First Go-to-Market Plan: Securing a GSA MAS award is just the beginning. Build a pipeline of work that can be ordered through GSA MAS, target agencies most likely to compete 8(a) contracts under FAR 8.405-5 and prepare “ready-to-quote” solution bundles tailored to common Statement of Work patterns. Position yourself for BPAs to capture recurring value.
- Meet Buyers Where They Buy: Proactively engage buyers using your GSA MAS contract number, 8(a) status, and SIN coverage. Maintain a clean, up-to-date, and competitively priced GSA catalog. Monitor eBuy and procurement forecasts and respond promptly with compliant proposals.
- Use Smart Teaming to Fill Gaps: Contractor Teaming Arrangements (CTAs) on GSA MAS allow you to offer integrated solutions while staying within GSA MAS guidelines. Develop relationships with complementary partners to scale rapidly when new competed requirements arise.
- Protect Compliance and Speed: In a competitive environment, your ability to offer frictionless procurement—clean terms and conditions, traceable pricing, responsive and prompt modifications if needed—can set you apart. Make it easy for contracting officers to choose your firm.
How We Can Help
Agility Development Group, led by retired Federal Government acquisition and GOVCON industry professionals, is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed in government contracting. For 8(a) companies without a GSA MAS contract, we offer comprehensive support for every stage of the process:
- Secure your GSA MAS: We guide companies through eligibility, negotiations, SIN selection, and compliance to streamline the approval process and help you get your GSA MAS faster.
- Readiness and Positioning: We help map capabilities to the right SINs and NAICS codes, align past performance, develop competitive pricing strategies, and establish clear basis of award practices.
- Proposal Development: Our team provides complete support for GSA MAS applications, including narrative development, pricing files, disclosures, and quality control for compliance documents.
- Post-Award Acceleration: We assist with catalog creation and updates, market and eBuy monitoring, opportunity qualification, CTA/teaming playbooks, BPA pursuit strategies, and pipeline coaching focused on competed 8(a) orders.
- Compliance and Sustainment: Ongoing support includes modification management, pricing maintenance, audit preparedness, and training to ensure your team executes effectively and efficiently.
A Friendly but Urgent Call to Action
If your firm is 8(a) certified but does not currently hold a GSA MAS contract, now is the time to act. With the new emphasis on competition, more work will flow through acquisition vehicles where GSA MAS vendors can be selected quickly and defensibly. To ensure your business is positioned to benefit, take steps to secure your place on GSA MAS.
Click the button below to learn more about our GSA MAS services and connect with us. We’ll assess your eligibility, map the fastest route to GSA MAS award, and build a targeted strategy to drive competed 8(a) work to your schedule. The policy shift is already underway; let us help you turn it into a competitive advantage.