Find your path to Polaris: important takeaways from the draft to GSA’s latest GWAC

Polaris overview

In an effort to introduce and guide new small business contractors in the U.S. federal government marketplace and provide a replacement vehicle for the recently cancelled Alliant 2 Small Business (A2SB) contract, the General Services Administration (GSA) has released its next-generation Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), “Polaris.” GSA’s Polaris GWAC is meant to provide the next generation of IT services-based solutions to all eligible federal buyers.

The Polaris GWAC is designed to provide opportunities for small businesses under socioeconomic categories that may have been underrepresented on previous GWACs. To that end, the Polaris GWAC is slated to include three separate pools based on size and socioeconomic status:

• Small Business (SB) Pool
• HUBZone Small Business (HUBZone) Pool
• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Pool

The Polaris contract provides government agencies with a streamlined approach to the acquisition of both commercial and noncommercial services. Fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, incentive, time-and-materials and labor-hour task orders are all anticipated under the GWAC.

The draft request for proposal (RFP) was released on Dec. 31, 2020, with feedback to the draft RFP due Jan. 29, 2021. It is unclear when the formal release of the RFP will occur, but based on communications from GSA on a speedy rollout, Baker Tilly is expecting the RFP to be released by this summer. 

Polaris at a glance

Catering to small businesses

In a recent blog post, Laura Stanton, assistant commissioner of the Office of Information Technology Category (ITC), highlighted that one of GSA’s strategies for increasing the pool of qualified small businesses on Polaris could be the use of Section 876 of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Section 876 granted GSA the authority to award contracts to qualifying offerors without considering prices for services acquired on an hourly rate basis. The draft RFP does indeed incorporate this new authority, shifting price competition to the task-order level, rather than the IDIQ contract level itself. This should reduce the level of effort for developing a proposal – a welcome addition for many in the small business community. 

Also highlighted in the aforementioned blog post, open season on-ramps were contemplated to allow for companies that were not part of the initial award to propose for the GWAC as needed. The draft RFP also incorporates this important feature. In addition to potentially increasing the pool of qualified small businesses, on-ramping new contractors at different times during the contract period would provide federal agencies with access to the most innovative small businesses working at the leading edge of technological advancements – an important consideration given the ever-changing IT marketplace.

Scorecard RFPs

Based on the draft RFP, it appears that GSA intends to use a “Scorecard RFP” approach for the Polaris procurement. GSA has successfully run several of its recent large procurements using a Scorecard RFP approach, including OASIS, ASTRO, HCaTS and Alliant 2. What this means is that offerors will complete a self-scorecard that considers a number of factors and will need to provide supporting documentation along with their scorecard so that GSA can verify the points that an offeror is claiming. Upon receipt of proposals for Polaris, GSA will rank bidders based on their self-scores and then will go down the list to either verify scores, correct scores or remove noncompliant proposals from consideration. 

With Scorecard RFPs, there is not typically a traditional written technical proposal that allows a bidder to describe how well they can support the government’s needs; rather, a prospective bidder needs to demonstrate its ability to perform using historical project and past performance documentation. Having worked on a number of Scorecard RFP offers, Baker Tilly believes it is very important for bidders to understand the scoring system, in order to leave enough time to capture relevant data. The data retrieval process can often become a test of a company’s contract management practices and their ability to organize and submit information in a manner that maximizes an offeror’s self-score, while remaining in compliance with RFP instructions. 

While the draft RFP clearly indicates that Polaris is being planned as a Scorecard RFP, and it did include many of the areas that are being contemplated for point-scoring, it did not include the actual points being allocated to each area. (We have included a table near the end of this article highlighting the scoring areas that are currently contemplated.) 

While the draft RFP did not include information on how points will be allocated under Polaris, we can draw conclusions from the recent scorecards used in similar GWAC solicitations. As highlighted in the table below, Relevant Experience (RE) projects and Past Performance (PP) ratings have accounted for more than 70% of point-scoring opportunities in several recent GWACS that followed a scorecard approach. Based on this, it is safe to assume that RE and PP will play a huge role in deciding awards under Polaris. 

The draft RFP has also stated that “Breadth of Primary Relevant Experience” will be an important deciding factor when evaluating RE. GSA may assign higher point totals to RE projects that cover multiple “performance areas” and also those that use multiple “emerging technologies,” are of higher dollar value and are highly complex.

Key RE factors for Polaris: performance areas

Polaris is placing an emphasis on emerging technologies in both the initial award period and future on-ramp periods. The government is broadening the landscape of the normal performance areas it will assess in the RFP to support the inclusion of new and innovative offerings. One would think that this would also mean that the Polaris procurement will be designed in a manner that allows companies who are somewhat new to the federal space to qualify for Polaris; however, based on what we can see in the draft RFP, it is not clear that this will be the case. 

While the draft RFP allows for commercial projects to be submitted to support RE, it is not clear yet whether commercial projects will provide for the same amount of base point-scoring (this has not been true on other Scorecard RFPs). While the total points that can be accumulated for these other areas is yet to be determined, there are several additional point-scoring categories that, if taken at face value, will only be available to bidders who are submitting RE projects where they have served as federal prime contractors. 

For example, the draft Polaris RFP indicates that additional points will be available to bidders who can provide primary RE projects demonstrating that they are doing work with multiple federal government customers (up to five different customers). It will include scoring opportunities for contractors with approved cost accounting and purchasing systems. The scorecard also provides points for different Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) levels, International Organization for Standards (ISO) and government facility clearances. Many of these points and some others that fall more into the RE “bucket” will be hard to come by for small and disadvantaged businesses that have not done a lot of federal government contracting. It will be interesting to see how the available points break down if GSA releases a draft scorecard at some point, or if not, how it breaks down in the final RFP. 

The five performance areas highlighted in the primary RE portion of the RFP are as follows:

Per the draft RFP, prospective bidders will be allowed to submit information for up to seven projects to demonstrate their experience in these areas. As noted previously, large volume projects that are highly complex and incorporate a variety of different factors will allow for higher point-scoring. A single project cannot be used to support relevant experience in multiple performance areas. Each primary RE project must be ongoing or have been completed within five years from the proposal due date, and must have at least one year of performance unless it meets certain conditions. Projects must have a project value of at least $1 million. 

One should note that while NAICS codes are provided to help organize the performance areas that GSA will be looking at for history of IT services performed, NAICS codes will not be a point-scoring factor itself (as it has been in previous scorecard solicitations). The draft RFP also allows offerors the opportunity to provide projects (and receive points) with specific scopes in cloud services and cybersecurity services – highlighting the importance of these areas to GSA and federal agency customers. 

As mentioned earlier, the “breadth of primary RE” will also represent a critical deciding factor when evaluating RE. The scorecard allows for an increasing scale of points for offerors that can demonstrate coverage over all five performance areas. Just keep in mind that you will need to provide a single project for each performance area, so you will want to identify a set of projects representing a diversity of services. 

Past performance ratings for relevant experience projects that are provided to support performance areas will also be a very important scoring factor. The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) is GSA’s preferred means of providing past performance information, and if prior Scorecard RFPs can be used as a basis, it will be important to provide projects where CPARS scores have been high in order to maximize point-scoring. A past performance rating form is provided for instances where CPARS do not exist – it is not clear if the same point totals will be possible for projects where a rating form is used instead of a CPARS. 

Key RE factors for Polaris: emerging technology areas

Although the RE performance areas are the main focus of the draft solicitation for the GWAC, Polaris is encouraging contractors to also highlight project information illustrating innovative technological approaches to servicing customer needs. The specific “emerging technology” service areas cited in the draft RFP are as follows:

• Advanced and quantum computing: Advanced computing refers to technical capabilities that support computation and data intensive modeling and simulation. This includes the use of quantum mechanics and information theory to enable faster speeds, better precision and optimum functionality.
• Artificial intelligence (AI): AI, also known as machine intelligence, is a branch of computer science that aims to imbue software with the ability to analyze its environment using either predetermined rules and search algorithms, or pattern-recognizing machine learning models, and then make decisions based on those analyses.
• Automation technology: Automation is the creation and application of technologies to produce and deliver goods and services with minimal human intervention. The implementation of automation technologies, techniques and processes improve the efficiency, reliability and/or speed of many tasks that were previously performed by humans.
• Distributed ledger technology (DLT): DLT is a type of ledger that is shared, replicated and synchronized in a distributed and decentralized manner. DLT can be used to decentralize and automate processes in a large number of sectors. The attributes of a distributed ledger technology allow for large numbers of entities or nodes, whether collaborators or competitors, to come to consensus on information and immutably store it.
• Edge computing: Edge computing brings computation and data storage closer to the devices where it’s being gathered, rather than relying on a central location that can be thousands of miles away. This is done so that data, especially real-time data, does not suffer latency issues that can affect an application’s performance. Processing is done locally, reducing the amount of data that needs to be processed in a centralized or cloud-based location.
• Immersive technology: Immersive technology refers to technology that attempts to emulate a physical world through the means of a digital or simulated world by creating a surrounding sensory feeling, thereby creating a sense of immersion.

Prospective bidders are allowed to submit up to six emerging technologies RE projects. Each of these projects must have been for the performance of one of the noted emerging technologies, and no emerging technology project may be used to support relevant experience in more than one emerging technology area. However, it is acceptable to use the same project to support one of the performance areas and one of the emerging technologies. Each emerging technology project must be ongoing or have been completed within five years from the proposal due date, and must have at least one year of performance unless it meets certain conditions. Emerging technology projects must have a project value of at least $150,000. There is no indication in the draft RFP as to whether NAICS codes will be important for emerging technology RE. 

Additional point-scoring opportunities will exist, related to a number of other factors. While RE is likely to be most important, prospective bidders should be aware of all opportunities in order to maximize their score. 

Cybersecurity and supply chain risk management (SCRM)

Many recent GSA-led procurements have included cybersecurity and SCRM requirements. 8(a) STARS III included similar requirements, as did ASTRO. This has become a growing focus given its importance to national security, and it has only been heightened by recent incidents involving bad actors looking to access restricted information, either through cyber-based or supply-chain based hacks, or to disrupt the supply chain. 

While Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is technically a Department of Defense (DOD) requirement, the Polaris draft RFP highlights it as something that Polaris bidders should prepare for and participate in. The draft RFP also indicates that GSA may survey Polaris awardees from time to time to identify and publicly list each industry partner’s CMMC standing. The draft RFP goes on to state that it reserves the right to require CMMC Level 1 certification as mandatory to be considered for the Polaris option period, as well as for any open season on-ramps. 

One of many requirements for companies that are awarded the Polaris GWAC will be to complete and provide a SCRM plan within 30 days of the end of each contract year. The RFP notes that cybersecurity and SCRM are dynamic areas, and refers contractors to NIST 800-161 (a federal government requirement that wasn’t designed for private companies) for guidance in developing a framework for their SCRM plans. GSA, along with DOD and the Intelligence Community, have been at the forefront in requiring contractors to understand and manage risks to their supply chains. We have worked with a number of companies to develop these plans, and they can be complex.

GSA also notes that it will rely on its Vendor Risk Assessment Program (VRAP), to assess and monitor supply chain risks of critical vendors, and that the contractor must agree that the government may, at its own discretion, perform audits of supply chain processes or events. We expect this to be a growing area of concern for or all federal agencies, and as a result, for federal contractors. Given the current environment, we also expect that these types of requirements will continue to evolve and expand, possibly under Polaris, and likely in many other procurement and rulemaking activities. 

Teaming arrangements and joint ventures (JV)

Teaming arrangements and JVs are permitted under Polaris, as is the use of past performance information from parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, but there are a number of restrictions and qualifying factors. The manner in which points will be available in all areas is highly nuanced and varies dependent upon which type of relationship is being employed. Some important things to consider here:

• For teaming arrangements and/or prime-sub bidders, all members must qualify as small businesses
• For JVs, each member must be small, or it may include two business concerns in a mentor-protégé relationship when both the mentor and the protégé are small, or when only the protégé is small and the concerns have received an exception to affiliation pursuant to 13 CFR 121.103(h)(3)(i) or (iii) – which essentially means that Small Business Administration (SBA)-approved mentor-protégé JVs are eligible to bid; however, for the DOD’s Pilot Mentor-Protégé Program, only JVs where both members are small will be eligible to bid
• Meaningful commitment relationship letters will be required to demonstrate the relationship that exists between team members, JV members and parents, affiliates and subsidiaries

Please note that GSA will also conduct an “organizational risk assessment,” favoring those organizations with a history of working together. If organizations come together for the purpose of this procurement with no prior history of working together, they will not receive the points associated with this scoring factor. 

We recommend that anyone planning to team, rely on affiliates or form JVs in pursuit of Polaris read the draft RFP carefully to ensure they understand how points will be counted for each of these types of relationships.

How to prepare for Polaris

The list below includes some ways to prepare for Polaris:

1. Identify potential relevant experience projects

Work with key personnel in contracts, finance or program management to find as many projects as possible that:

• Were performed in the past five years
• Have an IT focus and offer a wide range of services and cover at least one of the performance areas and/or emerging technologies
• Have a large annual value (at least $1 million project value, but the larger the better)
• Have a strong CPARS rating (at least an average of “Very Good” [4.0] or above) or are commercial projects for which you believe your customer would be willing to rate your performance very high and give you a positive recommendation

2. Begin accumulating documentation

The administrative burden associated with these proposals is significant. We recommend beginning to accumulate the following documentation:

• For relevant experience projects, identify and organize all contract award documents, statements of work, contract modifications and most recent CPARS. Make sure the contract documents are signed by the cognizant contracting officer.
• Identify and organize documentation to demonstrate DCAA, DCMA or CFA approval for your company’s accounting system and/or purchasing system.

3. Assign roles and determine responsibilities

To avoid confusion when the solicitation is released, it is best to get the personnel question answered first:

• Who is responsible for checking beta.sam.gov and the GSA website for any pre-solicitation updates?
• Who will be the lead program sponsor, contracts manager, finance manager and proposal manager?
• Who will communicate the status of Polaris to leadership?
• Does your team need to outsource support to ensure a compliant proposal?

4. Assess risk/benefit of proposing as all possible “business arrangements” listed above

Have preliminary dialogue with possible JV organizations or prime contractors/subcontractors

5. Read the draft RFP and respond with your firm-specific questions

Polaris scoring

For more information on this topic, or to learn how Baker Tilly specialists can help, contact our team. As noted above, we have included the draft scorecard below as provided by GSA, which does not show how points will be allocated but does provide information on the different areas for which points will be available.