8a Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services (8a STARS)

GSA Federal Acquisition Service established the 8(a) Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services (8a STARS) Master GWAC on June 29, 2002, with a shared ceiling of $15 billion, but the ordering period closed on November 30, 2011—no new task orders may be placed. The vehicle is dormant for new business, though legacy task orders remained active through at least 2017.

The portfolio comprises 3,101 task orders awarded over 13 years, with combined potential value of $26.71 billion and only $3.49 billion obligated (13% of total). Ordering momentum declined sharply after the vehicle's closing: 52 orders in 2012, dropping to single digits in 2013 and 2014, with only one order in 2017. The vehicle was succeeded by a newer 8a STARS GWAC awarded February 3, 2009; prospective vendors should focus on that successor vehicle.

The portfolio spans broad technology services. Task orders show integration of hardware, software, and related supplies alongside labor-hour support in IT infrastructure, systems development, distance learning platforms, enterprise architecture, network engineering, disaster recovery management, and agency-specific applications (FAA training systems, USDA integrated acquisition platforms, DOJ critical functions). Most recent awards clustered in 2011–2013, covering IT support, telecommunications, software licensing, and knowledge management tools.

Competition is moderately concentrated. Catapult Technology, LTD leads by potential value at $944.5 million across 78 orders, while Futron, Inc. leads by order count with 123 awards but only $76.3 million combined value. JMA Information Technology and Access Systems round out the top-value tier. The top five primes account for a small share of the overall portfolio, indicating a broad contractor base across 196 distinct primes.

Customer concentration mirrors broad federal adoption. Defense Information Systems Agency leads with 100 orders and $266 million potential value, followed by USDA's Chief Information Officer office (97 orders, $135.5 million) and NIST (60 orders, $20.6 million). Orders distributed across 404 distinct customer agencies signal government-wide reach, with no single agency dominating.

Set-aside composition reflects the vehicle's 8(a) designations: 51% of orders carried no set-aside, 44% were competitive 8(a), 3% sole-source 8(a), and 2% reserved small business. The mix demonstrates both mainstream and targeted small-business procurement. Task-order values ranged widely, from sub-thousand-dollar individual tasks to multi-million-dollar labor-hour contracts exceeding $15 million ceiling values. Most recent active orders (2011–2013) show ceiling values typically in the low millions, with some infrastructure and platform-development orders reaching $3–$16 million.

8(a) STARS Offers hardware, software, and related supplies and services that may be procured as part of an integrated technology solution.