WARNO
Sign up
Learn · Contract vehicles

Most federal work doesn't go out as an open bid.

Agencies buy a large share of services through contract vehicles: big contracts competed once, years ago, that only their holders can bid on. If you are not on the vehicle, you never see the task order.

Start here

  1. Know the typesSchedules, GWACs, agency IDIQs, BPAs; who runs each and who may order.
  2. Watch the on-rampsThey open rarely; Since January 12, 2026 GSA keeps OASIS+ open continuously (checked 16 Oct 2026).
  3. Score yourselfScorecards count qualifying projects, systems and certifications.
  4. Partner firstSmall companies get in as subcontractors or mentor-protégé partners.

The main types 6 types

Type
Who runs it
Who can order from it
GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)
GSA
Every federal agency, and many state and local governments for some categories. Open to new companies year round.
GWAC (governmentwide acquisition contract)
GSA or NASA, for IT
Every federal agency. Examples: Alliant 3, Polaris, 8(a) STARS III, VETS 2, SEWP.
Multiple-agency contract
One agency, open to others
Any agency that signs on. Example: OASIS+.
Agency IDIQ
One agency or command
Usually only that agency. Examples: SeaPort-NxG (Navy), Army RS3 and ITES.
BPA (blanket purchase agreement)
One office, often on top of a GSA schedule
That office. Many BPAs are only open to GSA schedule holders.
Single-award IDIQ
One office
That office, and only one company holds it. The next chance comes at recompete.

The vehicles you will hear about most 6 vehiclesCheck GSA.gov for status

Vehicles open, close and change often, and GSA is taking over more governmentwide buying under the 2025 consolidation order.

GSA MASOpen year round

Almost everything: professional services, IT, training, products, facilities. Apply any time through eOffer with SAM registration, financial statements, past performance and a price list GSA accepts; several months; newer firms can use GSA's startup path.

OASIS+Continuous on-ramp

Complex professional services in domains. Open since January 2026 with an unrestricted track and five small-business tracks; you score yourself against a scorecard and need enough points.

SeaPort-NxGRolling

Navy engineering and program management across 23 functional areas. The January 2025 round added 1,023 companies; watch SAM.gov for the next.

Alliant 3

Large, complex IT services, awarded February 2026. Realistic mainly for large IT firms; small companies get in as subcontractors.

Polaris, 8(a) STARS III, VETS 2Set-aside

IT services for small business, 8(a) firms and SDVOSBs. On-ramps are rare; check the GSA GWAC pages.

NASA SEWPProducts

IT products and product-based services. Mostly resellers and manufacturers; closed between competitions.

Vehicle holders in your lane →

Why getting on is hard Core

On-ramps are rare, scorecards want proof at size, and points reward systems a two-contract company does not have yet.

The rest of this guideCore
  • Why getting on is hard
  • Partnering is how small companies get in
  • Find partners with WARNO
Read it with the 7-day trial

Find a prime to team with →

Sources: GSA MAS, OASIS+, GSA GWACs, SeaPort-NxG, SBA mentor-protégé. General information, not legal advice.