A contract vehicle (also called an IDIQ, GWAC, or MAC) is a pre-competed, long-term contract that allows government agencies to order services or products quickly without running a full competition each time. Getting 'on' a vehicle means you're pre-qualified to receive orders, which is why winning a vehicle can be far more valuable than winning any single contract.
Free Research Tool
Contract Vehicle Matchmaker
Find the best contract vehicles for your company in 60 seconds. Answer 5 quick questions and we'll match you to the GWACs and IDIQs that fit your size, service area, agencies, and certifications.
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How the Matchmaker Works
The Contract Vehicle Matchmaker scores 12+ GWACs and IDIQs against your profile across five dimensions:
- Company Size:Many vehicles maintain separate small business and unrestricted pools. Size determines which pool (and which set-asides) you can access.
- Service Area:Vehicles are designed for specific domains (IT, professional services, engineering, healthcare, R&D). Misaligned service areas score low.
- Target Agencies:Some vehicles are government-wide (any agency), others are agency-specific (DoD, VA). Alignment with your target agencies improves your match score.
- Annual Revenue:A handful of vehicles (particularly large unrestricted IDIQs) have minimum revenue or capacity requirements. Smaller vehicles are more accessible to emerging companies.
- Certifications:8(a), SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, and WOSB certifications unlock dedicated set-aside vehicles and pools that can dramatically improve your win probability.
Match scores are directional estimates based on publicly available vehicle eligibility information. Always verify eligibility directly with the contracting office before pursuing an on-ramp.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) is designated by OMB and can be used by any federal agency. Examples include OASIS+, CIO-SP4, SEWP VI, and Alliant 3. Agency-specific IDIQs (like VA T4NG2 or SeaPort NxG) can only be used by their owning agency or authorized users. GWACs offer broader revenue opportunity but typically have stronger competition.
Each vehicle is scored based on how well your company profile matches the vehicle's design. Factors include: company size (small vs. large business pools), primary service area alignment, target agencies, annual revenue, and certifications. A higher match score means the vehicle is likely well-suited to your current profile, not that you're guaranteed to win a seat.
Yes, in most cases. Most IDIQs and GWACs require you to win a contract seat through a competitive on-ramp or open period. Only then can agencies issue you task orders. GSA MAS is the most accessible, you can self-certify and apply at any time through GSA's online portal.
Often yes, but most major GWACs maintain separate small business pools with reserved set-asides. For example, OASIS+, Alliant 3, STARS III, and CIO-SP4 all have dedicated small business pools. Competing in the small business pool generally means fewer competitors and better odds of winning a seat.
8(a) certification opens the most doors, including 8(a) STARS III (IT) and sole-source awards up to $4.5M for services. SDVOSB/VOSB certifications are especially powerful for VA-focused work (T4NG2, VETS2). HUBZone and WOSB/EDWOSB provide set-aside advantages across nearly all vehicles. Multiple certifications are additive.
SamSearch monitors SAM.gov, USASpending, and agency procurement forecasts in real time so you're never caught off guard when an on-ramp, open period, or recompete is posted. But what makes SamSearch different is that we onboard whatever schedule or vehicle you already hold, so your dashboard is scoped to the task orders and agency spend patterns that actually matter to you. Whether you're on GSA MAS, OASIS+, CIO-SP4, or a niche agency IDIQ, we surface the opportunities, incumbent data, and competitor intelligence tailored to your vehicle portfolio.