What is a government contract vehicle?

A contract vehicle is a pre-competed, long-term contract that agencies use to efficiently buy products and services from pre-qualified vendors. Instead of running a full competition for every purchase, an agency gets on a vehicle once and then issues task orders or delivery orders against it. This reduces procurement time from months to days for repeat purchases. Common types include GSA Schedules, GWACs (Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts), and agency-specific IDIQs.

What is the difference between a GWAC, IDIQ, BPA, and GSA Schedule?

These are all contract vehicle types but they work differently. A GSA Schedule (like the MAS) is an indefinite delivery contract that any agency can use to order commercial products and services at pre-negotiated prices. A GWAC (Government-Wide Acquisition Contract) is an IDIQ contract that any federal agency can use for IT services. A regular IDIQ is agency-specific — only the administering agency uses it. A BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement) is a simplified arrangement made against an existing contract (often a GSA Schedule) for repetitive purchases.

Do I need to be on a contract vehicle to win government contracts?

No — agencies also award standalone contracts and purchase orders through open competition. However, contract vehicles significantly increase your revenue potential. When agencies have a contract vehicle in place, they often strongly prefer using it over running a new competition. Being on GSA MAS, for example, opens access to billions in annual purchases that would otherwise require a separate procurement process for each order.

How long does it take to get on a GSA Schedule?

The GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) application typically takes 6-12 months from submission to award. GSA reviews your financials, past performance, and pricing before offering a contract. The process can be faster with a strong application and experienced consultant, but budget for at least 6 months. Once awarded, your GSA Schedule is valid for up to 20 years (5-year base with three 5-year options).

Can a small business without past performance get on a GWAC?

It depends on the vehicle. GSA MAS is relatively accessible — it has no minimum contract size requirement and accepts smaller past performance examples. GWACs like Alliant 3 and CIO-SP4 require demonstrated experience with large, complex IT programs. For a company with limited federal past performance, starting with the 8(a) STARS III vehicle (if you have 8(a) certification), SEWP V (product resale), or GSA MAS is more realistic than jumping straight to Alliant or OASIS+.

What is the Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) on GSA vehicles?

The Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) is a fee GSA charges vendors on the GSA Multiple Award Schedule and most GSA-administered vehicles. The standard rate is 0.75% of all sales made through the vehicle. The fee is built into your pricing and remitted quarterly to GSA. It covers GSA's cost of administering the Schedule program. The IFF applies to each order placed against your contract — you report and pay it quarterly via the FAS Sales Reporting Portal.

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Contract Vehicle Finder — Which Government Contract Vehicle Is Right for You?

Answer 5 questions about your company and we will rank the best contract vehicles for your situation — from GSA MAS to SEWP V to OASIS+.

Last updated: April 2026

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What is a contract vehicle?

A contract vehicle is a long-term, pre-competed contract that agencies use to streamline buying. Instead of running a full competition for every purchase, an agency "orders" against an existing vehicle — cutting procurement time from months to days.

For contractors, getting onto the right vehicles means your company is eligible for task orders without re-competing from scratch every time. The top vehicles each carry billions of dollars in annual orders.

The tradeoff: getting on a major vehicle requires time (6-18 months), past performance, and sometimes certifications. But once you're on, you can compete for individual orders rapidly.

Types of Government Contract Vehicles

Not all vehicles work the same way. Understanding the type helps you target the right ones for your sector and size.

Type	How it works	Best for	Examples
GSA Schedule (IDIQ)	Pre-competed indefinite delivery contracts for commercial items and services. Any federal agency can order. GSA MAS is the flagship example.	Broad market access across all agencies	GSA MAS, OASIS+
GWAC	Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts are IDIQ vehicles for IT services that any federal agency can use. Managed by select agencies.	IT companies wanting civilian and DoD access	SEWP V, Alliant 3, CIO-SP4, STARS III
Agency IDIQ	Agency-specific Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contracts. Restricted to the administering agency's programs.	Deep agency specialization and repeat task orders	SeaPort-NxG, DHS EAGLE II, ITES-3S
Set-Aside Program	SBA-administered programs that reserve contract opportunities for qualified small businesses based on ownership, location, or status.	Reducing competition and accelerating growth	8(a) Program, HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB
Cooperative Contract	Multi-agency contracts that extend to state, local, and education buyers. Not federal, but significant market access.	Expanding beyond federal into SLED (state, local, education)	NASPO ValuePoint, OMNIA Partners

Researched by the BidStride Research Team. Last updated April 2026.

Government Contract Vehicle Market Size

$40B+

Annual orders through GSA MAS alone — the largest contract vehicle

$75B

Ceiling value of Alliant 3, GSA's premier unrestricted IT GWAC

6-12 months

Typical time to get awarded on a major vehicle like GSA MAS or OASIS+

$10B+

Annual federal awards to 8(a) certified small businesses

Browse All Contract Vehicles

Click any vehicle to see full details: eligibility requirements, competition level, fee structure, and best use cases.

GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)General Services Administration — $40B+
IDIQHigh
The largest government contract vehicle, giving agencies pre-competed access to commercial products and services across 12 large categories. More than $40B flows through GSA MAS annually.
Annual Value
$40B+
Time to Award
6-12 months
Competition
High
Fee
0.75% Industrial Funding Fee on all sales
Eligibility requirements
- Any size business
- Must meet financial health requirements
- Past performance documentation required
- No minimum revenue threshold
Best for
Companies wanting broad federal access across all civilian and DoD agencies
Official resource Track GSA MAS on BidStride
NASA SEWP VNASA — $8B+
GWACMedium
Government-Wide Acquisition Contract for IT hardware, software, and services. SEWP V is one of the fastest-growing GWACs with over $8B in annual orders. Known for speed — task orders can be awarded in days.
Annual Value
$8B+
Time to Award
Days to weeks (task order level)
Competition
Medium
Fee
0.35% fee on all orders
Eligibility requirements
- Invitation-only (must be invited by a Group A prime contractor)
- IT products and services only
- Products must be on approved product list
Best for
IT resellers and product-heavy vendors who want fast task order turnaround
Official resource Track SEWP V on BidStride
CIO-SP4NIH (NITAAC) — $5B/year estimated
GWACHigh
Chief Information Officer Solutions and Partners 4 — a major GWAC for IT services managed by NIH's NITAAC. $50B ceiling over 10 years with a strong focus on health IT but open to all civilian agencies.
Annual Value
$5B/year estimated
Time to Award
3-6 months (contract award); days for task orders
Competition
High
Fee
0.65% fee
Eligibility requirements
- IT services companies
- Must have demonstrated past performance
- Small and large business tracks
- Joint ventures allowed
Best for
IT services companies that want a GWAC with health IT emphasis and competitive fees
Official resource Track CIO-SP4 on BidStride
8(a) STARS IIIGeneral Services Administration — $5B+ annually
GWACMedium (8a only pool)
Set-aside GWAC exclusively for SBA-certified 8(a) small businesses providing IT services. $50B ceiling, broad scope covering all areas of IT. One of the most valuable vehicles for 8(a) companies.
Annual Value
$5B+ annually
Time to Award
1-3 months after GWAC award
Competition
Medium (8a only pool)
Fee
0.75% Industrial Funding Fee
Eligibility requirements
- Must be SBA-certified 8(a) program participant
- IT services and solutions only
- Small business size standard applies
Best for
8(a) certified IT companies seeking consistent federal IT revenue
Official resource Track STARS III on BidStride
Alliant 3General Services Administration — $7-10B estimated annually
GWACVery High
GSA's premier unrestricted GWAC for large and complex IT services. Alliant 3 is the successor to Alliant 2 with an estimated $75B ceiling and a 10-year ordering period. Highly competitive but carries immense prestige.
Annual Value
$7-10B estimated annually
Time to Award
6-18 months (GWAC onboarding)
Competition
Very High
Fee
0.75% fee
Eligibility requirements
- Any size business (unrestricted track)
- Small business track available
- Must demonstrate large-scale IT past performance
- Teaming and joint ventures allowed
Best for
Large IT integrators wanting a prestigious vehicle for complex enterprise programs
Official resource Track Alliant 3 on BidStride
OASIS+General Services Administration — $60B ceiling (no annual stated)
IDIQHigh
One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Plus — GSA's flagship IDIQ for complex professional services. Replaced the original OASIS with a permanent open enrollment model across unrestricted and small business pools.
Annual Value
$60B ceiling (no annual stated)
Time to Award
3-9 months (vehicle award)
Competition
High
Fee
0.75% Industrial Funding Fee
Eligibility requirements
- Professional services companies
- Multiple pools: unrestricted, small business, 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB
- Must demonstrate relevant experience
Best for
Professional services firms wanting broad civilian agency access without IT focus
Official resource Track OASIS+ on BidStride
VETS 2General Services Administration — $500M+ annually
GWACLow-Medium (SDVOSB pool only)
Exclusively for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). $5B ceiling for IT professional services. A strong vehicle for SDVOSB companies wanting a dedicated pool with less competition.
Annual Value
$500M+ annually
Time to Award
2-4 months after award
Competition
Low-Medium (SDVOSB pool only)
Fee
0.75% Industrial Funding Fee
Eligibility requirements
- Must be SBA-verified SDVOSB
- IT professional services only
- Small business size standard
Best for
SDVOSB IT companies seeking less competitive set-aside awards
Official resource Track VETS 2 on BidStride
Transcom T4NGU.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) — $790M annually estimated
IDIQMedium
TRANSCOM's Transportation of Things Next Generation contract. $7.9B IDIQ for transportation and logistics support services. Not well known but a high-value vehicle for logistics-focused companies.
Annual Value
$790M annually estimated
Time to Award
3-6 months
Competition
Medium
Fee
Varies by task order
Eligibility requirements
- Transportation and logistics services
- Small business track available
- Must have transportation-related past performance
Best for
Transportation and logistics companies with DoD experience
Official resource Track T4NG on BidStride
SeaPort Next GenerationU.S. Navy — $2B+ annually
IDIQHigh
The Navy's primary vehicle for engineering, technical, and professional services. Massive user base with thousands of active task orders across the Naval Enterprise.
Annual Value
$2B+ annually
Time to Award
1-3 months
Competition
High
Fee
1% fee on all orders
Eligibility requirements
- Engineering and technical services companies
- Any size business
- Navy/DoD focus recommended
Best for
Engineering and defense technical services companies focused on the Navy
Official resource Track SeaPort-NxG on BidStride
NIH CIO-CSNIH (NITAAC) — $2B annually
GWACMedium
Chief Information Officer Commodities and Solutions — a GWAC for commodity IT products and services. $20B ceiling specifically for NIH and all federal civilian agencies. Streamlined ordering for commodity IT.
Annual Value
$2B annually
Time to Award
2-4 months
Competition
Medium
Fee
0.65% fee
Eligibility requirements
- IT products and services companies
- Small and large business tracks
- Must be active SAM.gov registrant
Best for
IT hardware and software resellers wanting quick access to federal orders
Official resource Track CIO-CS on BidStride
Army ITES-3SU.S. Army (CHESS) — $1.5B annually
IDIQMedium-High
Information Technology Enterprise Solutions — Services 3 is the Army's primary vehicle for IT services. $12B ceiling over 8 years covering all IT services for the Army Enterprise.
Annual Value
$1.5B annually
Time to Award
3-6 months
Competition
Medium-High
Fee
0.5% fee
Eligibility requirements
- IT services companies with Army/DoD experience
- Small business pool available
- Must meet Army security clearance requirements
Best for
IT companies with Army program experience or security clearances
Official resource Track ITES-3S on BidStride
DHS EAGLE IIDepartment of Homeland Security — $1B+ annually
IDIQHigh
DHS's enterprise IT contract vehicle. Used across all DHS components including CBP, TSA, ICE, FEMA, Secret Service, and Coast Guard. Strong for cybersecurity and mission IT.
Annual Value
$1B+ annually
Time to Award
3-6 months
Competition
High
Fee
Contract-specific
Eligibility requirements
- IT services companies with DHS/federal experience
- Functional categories restrict scope per vendor
- Small business track available
Best for
IT companies with DHS mission knowledge or border/national security experience
Official resource Track DHS EAGLE II on BidStride
8(a) Business Development ProgramSmall Business Administration — $10B+ in 8(a) awards annually
Set-Aside ProgramLow (sole source) to Medium (competitive 8a pools)
Not a contract vehicle itself, but the SBA 8(a) certification enables direct sole-source awards up to $4.5M for services ($7M for manufacturing) and competitive set-asides across virtually every federal contract vehicle.
Annual Value
$10B+ in 8(a) awards annually
Time to Award
Varies widely
Competition
Low (sole source) to Medium (competitive 8a pools)
Fee
No fee — SBA program
Eligibility requirements
- Must be majority-owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals
- Small business under applicable size standard
- Must apply through SBA and be accepted
- 9-year program participation limit
Best for
Minority-owned small businesses wanting preferred access to government contracts
Official resource Track 8(a) Program on BidStride
HUBZone ProgramSmall Business Administration — $3B+ in HUBZone set-aside awards
Set-Aside ProgramLow-Medium
Historically Underutilized Business Zone program. Gives certified companies a 10% price evaluation preference in full-and-open competitions and access to HUBZone set-aside contracts. Underutilized relative to opportunity.
Annual Value
$3B+ in HUBZone set-aside awards
Time to Award
Varies
Competition
Low-Medium
Fee
No fee — SBA program
Eligibility requirements
- Principal office must be in a HUBZone
- At least 35% of employees must reside in a HUBZone
- Must be a small business under applicable size standard
Best for
Small businesses located in economically distressed areas wanting a competitive edge
Official resource Track HUBZone on BidStride
WOSB Federal Contract ProgramSmall Business Administration — $25B+ in WOSB eligible contracts
Set-Aside ProgramLow-Medium
Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program provides WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides in industries where women-owned businesses are underrepresented. Available in over 80 NAICS codes.
Annual Value
$25B+ in WOSB eligible contracts
Time to Award
Varies
Competition
Low-Medium
Fee
No fee — SBA program
Eligibility requirements
- At least 51% owned and controlled by women
- Small business under applicable size standard
- EDWOSB requires economically disadvantaged status
- Self-certification or third-party certification
Best for
Women-owned small businesses across all industries
Official resource Track WOSB / EDWOSB on BidStride
SDVOSB Set-Aside ProgramDepartment of Veterans Affairs / SBA — $15B+ across all agencies
Set-Aside ProgramLow-Medium
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business contracts are set aside across all federal agencies. The VA also has VOSB/SDVOSB contracting goals and a dedicated VetBiz registry. One of the strongest set-aside paths for veterans.
Annual Value
$15B+ across all agencies
Time to Award
Varies
Competition
Low-Medium
Fee
No fee
Eligibility requirements
- Must be majority-owned by service-disabled veterans
- Veteran must control day-to-day operations
- Small business under applicable size standard
- Must be VA-verified or SBA-certified
Best for
Service-disabled veteran-owned businesses seeking federal contract priority
Official resource Track SDVOSB on BidStride
CMS SPARCCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services — $1B+ annually
IDIQHigh
Strategic Partners Acquisition Readiness Contract — CMS's primary vehicle for IT and technical services. Critical for companies targeting healthcare IT, particularly Medicare/Medicaid data systems.
Annual Value
$1B+ annually
Time to Award
6-12 months
Competition
High
Fee
Contract-specific
Eligibility requirements
- IT and health IT services companies
- Must meet CMS-specific requirements
- Small and large business tracks
Best for
Health IT companies specializing in Medicare/Medicaid systems and federal health data
Official resource Track SPARC on BidStride
GSA PolarisGeneral Services Administration — $5B estimated
GWACHigh
GSA's next-generation GWAC for emerging IT services with dedicated small business pools. Designed to modernize how agencies buy IT solutions, with an emphasis on innovation and digital transformation.
Annual Value
$5B estimated
Time to Award
6-12 months
Competition
High
Fee
0.75% fee
Eligibility requirements
- Small businesses only (unrestricted coming)
- Specific pool requirements by certification
- IT services focus
Best for
Small IT companies focused on cloud, AI, and digital modernization
Official resource Track Polaris on BidStride
SBIR / STTR ProgramsSmall Business Administration (cross-agency) — $4B+ annually across all agencies
Grant/Contract ProgramMedium (agency-specific topics)
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs fund R&D at small businesses. Phase I awards up to $150-300K; Phase II up to $1-2M. Not a traditional contract vehicle but a major federal funding pathway for tech companies.
Annual Value
$4B+ annually across all agencies
Time to Award
3-12 months from solicitation
Competition
Medium (agency-specific topics)
Fee
No fee — grant program
Eligibility requirements
- Must be a U.S. small business
- STTR requires formal university partnership
- Phase I: concept feasibility; Phase II: development
Best for
Technology startups and research-focused small businesses developing novel solutions
Official resource Track SBIR/STTR on BidStride
JWCC (Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability)Department of Defense — $9B ceiling over 5 years
IDIQVery High (prime level)
DoD's primary cloud vehicle after the JEDI contract was cancelled. Multi-vendor IDIQ with Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle as prime holders. Subcontracting opportunities available for specialized services.
Annual Value
$9B ceiling over 5 years
Time to Award
Varies (subcontract)
Competition
Very High (prime level)
Fee
Prime-level contract fee structure
Eligibility requirements
- Large cloud providers are prime holders
- Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses
- Must be sponsored by a prime holder
Best for
Cloud-native companies seeking DoD subcontracting through large prime holders
Official resource Track JWCC on BidStride
Army ITES-3HU.S. Army (CHESS) — $800M annually estimated
IDIQMedium
Information Technology Enterprise Solutions — Hardware 3, the Army's primary vehicle for IT hardware and products. Supports Army-wide hardware refresh and technology modernization.
Annual Value
$800M annually estimated
Time to Award
2-4 months
Competition
Medium
Fee
0.5% fee
Eligibility requirements
- IT hardware resellers and manufacturers
- Must be active SAM.gov registrant
- Products must meet Army standards
Best for
IT hardware vendors and resellers focused on DoD and Army programs
Official resource Track ITES-3H on BidStride
OASIS+ Small BusinessGeneral Services Administration — Included in $60B OASIS+ ceiling
IDIQMedium
The small business pool under the OASIS+ umbrella for professional services. Dedicated set-aside pools exist for unrestricted small business, 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, and SDVOSB companies.
Annual Value
Included in $60B OASIS+ ceiling
Time to Award
3-9 months
Competition
Medium
Fee
0.75% Industrial Funding Fee
Eligibility requirements
- Small businesses meeting applicable size standards
- Professional services focus
- Multiple certification-based pools available
Best for
Small professional services companies wanting dedicated set-aside competition
Official resource Track OASIS+ SB on BidStride
MATOC / MACC (Construction)U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Various — $5B+ across all districts
IDIQHigh
Multiple Award Task Order Contracts for construction. Each Army district and many other agencies operate their own MATOC. These are the primary vehicles for federal construction spending at the project level.
Annual Value
$5B+ across all districts
Time to Award
3-6 months
Competition
High
Fee
No vehicle fee — per-project pricing
Eligibility requirements
- Licensed general contractors
- Must meet bonding requirements
- Performance and payment bond capability required
- Past performance in federal construction
Best for
Construction companies focused on federal building, renovation, and infrastructure work
Official resource Track MATOC on BidStride
State and Local GWACs (NASPO, OMNIA)NASPO ValuePoint / OMNIA Partners — $6B+ across NASPO and OMNIA
Cooperative ContractMedium
Cooperative purchasing vehicles used by state, local, and education (SLED) agencies. NASPO ValuePoint and OMNIA Partners are the two largest. Getting on these vehicles opens access to thousands of non-federal buyers.
Annual Value
$6B+ across NASPO and OMNIA
Time to Award
3-12 months
Competition
Medium
Fee
Administrative fee on sales (varies)
Eligibility requirements
- Any size business
- Must apply to lead state solicitation
- Products and services must fit vehicle scope
Best for
Companies wanting to expand beyond federal into state and local government contracts
Official resource Track State/Local Vehicles on BidStride

Contract Vehicle Questions Answered

Researched by the BidStride Research Team

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