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CIO-SP4 Updates

Update on $50-Billion CIO-SP4: NITAAC to Re-Evaluate Phase 1 Submissions (Again)

Jul 18, 2023

The National Institutes of Health’s Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC) has announced plans to take corrective action to resolve the remaining open bid protests involving the Chief Information Officers – Solutions and Partners 4 (CIO-SP4) Governmentwide acquisition contract (GWAC). This action follows the Government Accountability Office (GAO) decision to sustain 119 protest challenges to the solicitation, including arguments that NITAAC erred in how it scored bidders in Phase 1.

In addition, the current CIO-SP3 contract has been extended until April 29, 2024, providing a longer window for transition and ensuring continuity of services.

This is the third time NITAAC has agreed to take corrective action on its IT-Services contract vehicle, which has been embroiled in controversy and protests since the agency first issued the final solicitation in May 2021. NITAAC has twice agreed to corrective action to have the GAO dismiss protests.

The GAO identified several areas of concern in the procurement process, particularly regarding the self-scoring process in Phase 1. These concerns have led to a series of recommendations for NITAAC, including the validation of all self-scores, a new cutline analysis, and a fresh determination of which proposals advance through Phase 1.

Bidders recently received emails from NITAAC explaining the following corrective actions:

  1. Hard validate all self-scores, which refers to a validation process that complies with the terms of the solicitation and reflects all required evaluations and adjustments.
  2. Reassess the arguments raised by Sky Solutions in Part III of GAO’s decision and make any required adjustments to its self-score in the agency’s validation of proposals.
  3. Make new cutline analyses for each socio-economic category that are based on the hard validated self-scores for all offerors within those groups; and
  4. Make a new determination of which proposals advance past Phase 1 of the competition based on the results of these new evaluations and analyses.

NITAAC rescinded all successful and unsuccessful offeror notices sent from March 20, 2023, through June 22, 2023. The agency will be sending out new Phase 1 successful and unsuccessful notices, according to the email.

We understand that these developments may raise questions and concerns about your current and future proposals. At OST Global Solutions, our team of experts is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to provide strategic advice tailored to your specific needs. We are committed to helping you navigate these changes and maximize your chances of securing a spot on this potential $50 billion vehicle.

Despite the challenges, NITAAC remains optimistic about the CIO-SP4 contract, highlighting its potential as a go-to resource for agencies seeking cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, cybersecurity, agile software development, and cloud-based IT solutions.

As we move forward, we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have regarding these developments. Our team is ready to assist you in understanding the implications of these changes and strategizing your next steps.

Thank you for your continued trust in OST Global Solutions. We look forward to helping you succeed in this evolving landscape.

OST Global Solutions is a professional business development consulting firm. We have extensive experience in winning large, strategic bids like CIO-SP4. We can provide capture and proposal teams to develop a complete, winning proposal. Or we can provide consultants on a case-by-case basis to fill gaps on your business development team. Our services consist of capture management, cost volume development, price-to-win analysis, team identification/negotiation, proposal management, proposal writing, editing, graphics, and desktop publishing.

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

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Previous Updates

Update on $50 Billion CIO-SP4 Contract: Revisions Due Jan. 28

Jan 27, 2022

The National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC) has issued additional amendments to its Chief Information Officer-Solutions and Partners 4 (CIO-SP4) Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). Although the deadline...

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CIO-SP4 Protest Decision Announced

Dec 2, 2021

On 23 November 2021, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained a protest, in part, against the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC) regarding their handling of mentor-protégé joint ventures in the...

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NITAAC Releases Highly-Anticipated CIO-SP4 Request for Proposals 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CIO-SP4 Will Allow for Streamlined Acquisition of General, Health IT and Biomedical Research Across 10 Task Areas

Rockville, MD – May 25, 2021 – Today, the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC) released the solicitation for the highly anticipated Chief Information Officer-Solutions and Partners 4 (CIO-SP4) Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). CIO-SP4 is designed to quickly meet agencies’ general information technology (IT), biomedical, and health IT needs across 10 task areas. Managed by NITAAC, the five-year, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract has a $50 billion ceiling and a five-year option.

“CIO-SP4 builds upon the success of CIO-SP3 and takes into account several lessons learned that we believe will enhance the experience of our federal agency customers and contract holders alike,” said Brian Goodger NITAAC Acting Director.

CIO-SP4 is designed for quick ordering of affordable IT solutions and services — including those from qualified small businesses — across 10 task areas:

  • IT services for biomedical research, health sciences and health care
  • Chief Information Officer support
  • Digital media
  • Outsourcing
  • IT operations and maintenance
  • Integration services
  • Cybersecurity
  • Digital Government and cloud services
  • Enterprise resource planning
  • Software development

“We are excited about the possibility CIO-SP4 holds for revolutionizing the way agencies acquire IT,” said Goodger. “However, we want to remind agencies that while they anticipate CIO-SP4, CIO-SP3 still remains a vital option for their procurement needs. CIO-SP3 expires in May 2022, has ample ceiling room and awards issued before the expiration of CIO-SP3 can be extended up to five years,” said Goodger.

Proposals from potential offerors are due to the Government on or about June 28, 2021. To view the CIO-SP4 solicitation, visit https://sam.gov/opp/5b025426cabe4b0fb1aa4094a7a6e130/view.

 

About NITAAC

NITAAC (NIH Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center) is housed within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is a full-service acquisition program that has been designated a federal Executive Agent, authorized by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to administer three Best in Class (BIC) Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) for information technology (IT) acquisitions. CIO-SP3, CIO-SP3 Small Business, and CIO-CS can be used by any federal civilian or Department of Defense (DoD) agency to acquire information technology services, solutions, and commodities from pre-qualified vendors at lower than open market prices in less time than going the traditional full and open route. NITAAC has expanded its support including a new full-service Assisted Acquisition program and is one of three OMB mandatory sources for laptop and desktop buys through our Government-wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) program.

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