8(a) STARS III Contract Vehicle Guide
8(a) STARS III (Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services) is GSA's premier Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) exclusively for 8(a) certified small businesses. With a $50 billion ceiling and broad IT scope, it is one of the most important vehicles for 8(a) firms pursuing federal technology work.
100M+ government records · 300+ gov/news sources · Updated hourly
What is 8(a) STARS III?
8(a) STARS III is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (MA-IDIQ) Government-Wide Acquisition Contract administered by the General Services Administration (GSA). It is the successor to the highly successful STARS II program and is exclusively reserved for businesses certified under the SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program.
The vehicle provides federal agencies with a streamlined procurement path for information technology (IT) services and solutions. Because it is a GWAC, any federal agency can use STARS III to issue task orders without conducting a separate full-and-open competition. This significantly reduces acquisition lead times, often by months compared to standalone procurements.
STARS III carries a $50 billion program ceiling, making it one of the largest contract vehicles dedicated exclusively to small businesses. The vehicle supports all contract types including firm-fixed-price (FFP), time-and-materials (T&M), labor-hour (LH), and cost-reimbursement (CR), giving agencies the flexibility to match the contract type to the nature of the work.
A Delegation of Procurement Authority (DPA) is required for agencies to place orders against STARS III. GSA processes DPA requests quickly, and most agencies already have standing DPAs in place.
Who Can Use STARS III?
STARS III is available to all federal executive agencies, the Department of Defense, and other government entities authorized to use GSA contract vehicles. This government-wide scope means that a single STARS III contract holder can pursue task orders across the entire federal enterprise, from civilian agencies like HHS and DHS to defense organizations like the Army and Air Force.
On the contractor side, only firms with current 8(a) certification from the Small Business Administration are eligible to hold STARS III contracts. However, firms that graduate from the 8(a) program during the life of the contract may continue to perform on existing task orders. This "graduation bridge" ensures continuity of service for the government while allowing successful small businesses to transition naturally.
Agencies use STARS III to meet their 8(a) small business contracting goals, which are mandated by statute and tracked by the SBA. For many agencies, having a readily accessible 8(a) IT vehicle simplifies the process of directing work to 8(a) firms without the administrative burden of setting up sole-source or competitive 8(a) procurements from scratch.
STARS III Task Areas
STARS III covers a broad range of IT services aligned with modern technology priorities. Task orders can span one or more of these areas.
IT Services & Solutions
Custom software development, application modernization, systems integration, IT managed services, help desk and end-user support, and IT strategy consulting.
Cloud Computing
Cloud migration, cloud-native development, infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), cloud security, and multi-cloud management.
Cybersecurity
Security operations center (SOC) services, vulnerability assessment, incident response, security architecture, zero trust implementation, and continuous monitoring.
Artificial Intelligence & Data
AI/ML development, robotic process automation, data analytics, data engineering, business intelligence, and data governance services.
IT Operations & Maintenance
Legacy system maintenance, infrastructure operations, network management, database administration, and IT asset management services.
Digital Transformation
Agile development, DevSecOps, user experience (UX) design, mobile application development, and IT modernization roadmapping.
How to Compete for STARS III Task Orders
Winning work on STARS III requires active monitoring, strong past performance, and responsive proposal capabilities.
Step 1: Secure Your Contract Position
STARS III used an on-ramp model during initial awards. GSA may open additional on-ramps periodically. To qualify, firms need current 8(a) certification, relevant IT past performance, and an adequate accounting system. Constellation designations (functional areas) determine which task orders you can compete for.
Step 2: Monitor Task Orders Actively
Task orders are posted on the STARS III portal and SAM.gov. Many agencies also issue RFIs (Requests for Information) before formal solicitations. Response windows can be tight, often 15 to 30 days, so early identification and pre-positioning are essential. Use Bureauify to track STARS III opportunities in real time.
Step 3: Build Relationships and Team
Many STARS III task orders are significant in scope. Teaming with other STARS III holders or bringing in specialized subcontractors strengthens your proposal. Building relationships with agency program offices before task orders are issued increases your win probability significantly.
Step 4: Submit Winning Proposals
Task order proposals are evaluated on technical approach, management capability, past performance, and price. The best-value tradeoff process means that the lowest price does not always win. Demonstrating understanding of the agency's mission and providing innovative technical solutions differentiate winning proposals.
Track STARS III Task Orders
Get real-time alerts when new STARS III task orders are posted that match your capabilities and past performance. Never miss a task order opportunity again.
Sign Up Free