New $500M DoD DSCA IT RFP: Influence the Small Business Acquisition Strategy

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) is preparing a new multiple-award IDIQ contract for IT program management, software development, and data management support services, with an estimated value of $400M–$500M. Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Acquisition Directorate is managing the procurement on DSCA’s behalf, with an RFP expected in June 2026 and awards anticipated later this year.

The acquisition strategy — including whether this will include a small business set-aside — has not yet been confirmed, with the program office expected to release more details by mid-June 2026. Firms that engage now, while the strategy is still being shaped, have an opportunity to influence the final acquisition approach.

OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT

  • Opportunity: IM&T Program, Project, Data Management, Business Intelligence Support Services and Software Development & Sustainment (IM&T IDIQ)
  • Agency: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), via Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Acquisition Directorate
  • Estimated Value: $400M–$500M
  • Expected RFP: June 2026
  • Contract Type: Multiple-award IDIQ
  • Duration: 5-year ordering period + 6-month extension option
  • Competition Type: Undetermined (acquisition strategy under review)
  • NAICS: 541511 – Custom Computer Programming Services ($34M size standard)
  • Security Clearance: Secret facility clearance required at time of proposal
  • Place of Performance: CONUS (NCR and other locations) and OCONUS

Three Functional Task Areas:

  • Task Area 1: Program and Project Management Support
  • Task Area 2: Software Development and Sustainment
  • Task Area 3: Data Management and Business Intelligence

WHY THIS IM&T IDIQ MATTERS

  • DoD DSCA:
    • Manages U.S. security cooperation programs worldwide
    • Overseeing foreign military sales, defense training, and international capacity building across more than 160 countries
  • DSCA IM&T:
    • Central IT provider, responsible for developing, maintaining, and modernizing the digital infrastructure and business systems that support the overarching global mission
  • The contract:
    • Covers the full spectrum of IT support for- program management, DevSecOps, software sustainment, data governance, cloud-native platforms, AI/ML, and business intelligence
    • Is a new requirement with no incumbent, thus there is no entrenched contractor holding a structural advantage going into the competition
    • Program Office is still reviewing capabilities statements submitted in response to the December 2025 sources sought, and the acquisition strategy
        • including considering if there will be a small business set-aside option

Small businesses that engage with the contracting office now are in a great position to make the case for a small business set-aside or partial set-aside before this office finalizes their strategy.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER THE IM&T IDIQ

This contract is designed for firms providing IT professional services in a DoD environment, particularly those with experience in the following areas:

  • Agile and Scaled Agile program and project management
  • DevSecOps, CI/CD, and automated testing
  • Software development, modernization, and sustainment
  • Low-code development platforms
  • Data governance, stewardship, and compliance frameworks
  • Cloud-native data architecture (data lake, data warehouse, data mesh)
  • AI/ML, natural language processing, and predictive analytics
  • Business intelligence tools and enterprise data solutions

Firms must hold or be able to obtain a Secret facility clearance, and it should be noted that WHS does not sponsor clearances. Given the OCONUS performance requirements, experience supporting DoD global operations is an advantage.

HOW OST CAN HELP

With the acquisition strategy still undecided and the RFP expected in June, now is the time to assess fit and engage with the procurement process. OST supports IT and professional services firms pursuing DoD IDIQ opportunities with a low investment Gap Analysis that supports:

  • Bid/No-Bid assessment: Evaluating alignment with the three task areas, clearance requirements, and competitive positioning
  • Capture planning: Developing win themes and positioning before the RFP drops
  • Acquisition strategy engagement: Supporting outreach and capability statement development to help influence the set-aside determination
  • Teaming strategy: Finding complementary partners to strengthen technical coverage and clearance depth across task areas
    • OST’s active Teaming Portal:
      • Includes 200+ potential partners and 90%+ of these organizations specialize in IT and Professional Services and work within the DoD and HHS agencies
      • Is used to support small business growth within Gov CON and increase PWin through partnering

Once the RFP is released OST can also support you with:

  • Proposal development: Technical approach, past performance narratives, and compliance for IDIQ submissions
  • Pricing strategy: Developing competitive labor rates aligned with DoD market conditions

If this interests you, please book a call with OST Partner and President Bill Schalik via the button below.

Schedule a discussion today.