The General Services Administration (GSA) has issued Market Research as a Service (MRAS) for Pools 2 and 3 of its Ascend Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The GSA seeks to gather industry insights through these MRAS documents (reviewable on SAM.gov) to shape the cloud services’ future within the federal landscape.

Ascend BPA: Reshaping Government Cloud Services

Ascend, formerly known as the GSA Governmentwide Cloud BPA, is set to reshape how federal agencies acquire cloud and cloud-related IT professional services. This initiative will consolidate hundreds of existing cloud-related contracts into a single, streamlined vehicle. In fiscal year 2021 alone, federal agencies spent a staggering $9.9 billion on cloud services, with $4.4 billion directed toward small businesses, according to a BGOV analysis. The Ascend BPA is expected to further boost this spending, potentially reaching $1 billion annually.

Scope and Structure of Ascend BPA

The BPA is partitioned into three primary pools, each designed to cater to specific cloud service needs:

• Pool 1 – Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS): For scalable, on-demand computing resources and development platforms.
• Pool 2 – Software as a Service (SaaS): To deliver essential applications managed by third-party vendors through the Internet.
• Pool 3 – Cloud Professional Services: Specialized services for the adoption, management, and optimization of cloud solutions.

MRAS for Pools 2 and 3

The deadline for submitting responses to the MRAS for both Pool 2 and Pool 3 is set for 11:59 PM ET on March 29, 2024. The MRAS questionnaires for Pool 2 and Pool 3 invite industry professionals to provide feedback on several critical areas to assist in:

• Developing and validating the scope and definition of Ascend BPA’s Pool 2 and Pool 3,
• Identifying key requirements (such as capabilities and functionalities) to aid in the future development of the Performance Work Statement (PWS)
• Prioritizing and identifying the demand for sub-pools within Pool 2 and Pool 3
• Understanding the benefits, barriers, and challenges associated with the proposed sub-pool categories.

Your Participation is Crucial

GSA is only accepting responses through the completion of the MRAS questionnaire, a crucial step for SaaS providers and cloud-related IT professional services to contribute to the Ascend BPA’s development. Your insights will directly influence the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for future Request for Quotes (RFQs).

Leverage OST Global Solutions’ Expertise

At OST Global Solutions, we offer comprehensive support in navigating the Ascend BPA procurement process. Our services include expert analysis, tailored strategy development, and end-to-end proposal support. Let us help you align your offerings with the BPA’s objectives and develop compelling proposals for Pools 2 and 3.

Contact us to discuss your bids, so we can help you develop a winning proposal.

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