Ascend BPA Update: Draft Solicitation for Pool 1 is Available

The General Services Administration (GSA) has issued the draft Request for Quotation (RFQ)  for Pool 1 of its Ascend Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). Pool 1 includes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) offerings.

GSA is accepting questions and comments until May 17, 2024, at 4 p.m. EST. Don’t miss this opportunity to help position your business to win.

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. Ascend consolidates 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.

GSA issued Market Research as a Service (MRAS) for all three pools earlier this year. GSA expects to issue final solicitation documents this summer.

Key Details of Ascend Pool 1

• Feedback Deadline: May 17, 2024, by 4 p.m. EST
• Number of Awards: Multiple awards in each pool
• Period of Performance: Three-year base period, options to extend up to eight years total
• Who Can Bid: Participation is open exclusively to GSA Schedule holders.
• Cybersecurity and Compliance: Bidders must demonstrate compliance with stringent cybersecurity standards, including FedRAMP certification.
• Draft RFQ: Now accessible on GSA eBuy under RFQ1694175 and SAM.gov.

Start Preparing Your Organization with OST’s Support

Strategic Planning: We align your business capabilities with the GSA’s evolving needs, ensuring your proposal demonstrates value and relevance.

Win Themes Development with a Competitive Edge: We can assist in developing your win themes to highlight your unique value proposition, ensuring they resonate with GSA’s current priorities. Win Strategy Workshop for U.S. Government Bids

Solution Development: We’ll guide you in developing solutions that not only meet but exceed the GSA’s expectations. Capture Management Consulting for U.S. Government Bids

In-Depth Competitive Analysis and PTW: With our comprehensive competitive analysis, including a Black Hat review and Price to Win (PTW) assessment, you can strategically position yourself against competitors, leveraging their strengths and capitalizing on any potential gaps. Competitive Analysis and Black Hat to Win for U.S. Government Bids | Labor Rate Analysis and Price to Win for U.S. Government Bids

Proposal Planning and Development: Look ahead to the critical elements of capture that often get overlooked: identifying the personnel needed to finish capture, starting the proposal off on the right foot, and developing a winning proposal. Finalize your proposal team and get working on these things. Using the Draft RFP as a baseline, we guide you in crafting a compelling response that highlights your strengths in delivering complex IT solutions. Proposal Management Consulting for U.S. Government Bids

Expert Insights: Our team brings specialized insights into federal IT contracting, enabling you to effectively navigate the nuances of the GSA’s procurement strategy.

OST Global Solutions is a professional business development consulting firm. We have experience supporting large, strategic bids like Ascend. We can provide capture and proposal teams to develop a complete, winning Ascend proposal, or we can provide consultants on a case-by-case basis to fill gaps on your business development team. Our services related to the Ascend proposal consist of capture management, proposal management, proposal writing, graphics support, editing, desktop publishing, and cost volume development.

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

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