GWAC (Government-Wide Acquisition Contract) · GSA Large Business IT GWAC
GSA Alliant 3
Managed by General Services Administration (GSA)
GSA Alliant 3 is the successor to Alliant 2, the U.S. government's premier large-business IT GWAC and, by ceiling, the largest single IT contract vehicle in federal acquisition history. Alliant 3 covers the full spectrum of IT services and solutions with an unrestricted competition format open to all business sizes. With a $75B ceiling and government-wide ordering authority, Alliant 3 holders have access to the broadest possible pool of federal IT buyers.
$50B+
Annual Spend
$75B
Ceiling
10 years
Contract Term
General Services Administration
Managed By
GSA Alliant 3 Contract Pools
Competition pools and socioeconomic set-aside categories within GSA Alliant 3.
Unrestricted Pool
UNROpen to all business sizes: large businesses, mid-size, and small businesses with relevant IT experience. No set-aside restrictions.
GSA Alliant 3 Task Areas & Service Scope
The functional task areas and service categories that define what can be ordered through GSA Alliant 3.
IT Services
TA1IT help desk, end-user support, system administration, IT operations, and IT consulting
IT Solutions
TA2Custom application development, software engineering, systems integration, and digital transformation
IT Research & Development
TA3Applied IT R&D, technology prototyping, proof-of-concept development, and technology assessment
Cybersecurity
TA4Penetration testing, SOC operations, zero-trust implementation, risk management, and FISMA compliance
Cloud Computing
TA5Cloud strategy, migration, optimization, multi-cloud management, and cloud security
Data & Analytics
TA6Big data architecture, BI platforms, data governance, AI/ML, and predictive analytics
Emerging Technologies
TA7AI, quantum computing, blockchain, edge computing, augmented reality, and advanced sensor technologies
GSA Alliant 3 Market Context
Why GSA Alliant 3 matters in the federal contracting landscape and its role in agency acquisition strategy.
Alliant 3 is the large business counterpart to STARS III and Polaris, representing the government's flagship IT GWAC for full-and-open competition. With a projected $75B ceiling, Alliant 3 is positioned to be one of the largest IT vehicles in federal contracting history. Its predecessor Alliant 2 drove over $15B in annual IT spending, and Alliant 3 expands scope to include cloud, artificial intelligence, zero trust security, and enterprise digital modernization, reflecting the federal government's current IT investment priorities. Large and mid-size IT integrators consider Alliant 3 to be a must-hold vehicle for government-wide IT competition.
How GSA Alliant 3 Task Orders Work
Step-by-step: how agencies issue task orders through GSA Alliant 3 and what contract holders need to do to compete.
- 1Agency confirms the IT requirement falls within Alliant 3's scope and determines the competition type (full and open, or whether a set-aside vehicle like STARS III/Polaris is more appropriate).
- 2Agency posts a solicitation on GSA eBuy or SAM.gov, releasing it to all Alliant 3 holders.
- 3Alliant 3 holders review the solicitation, submit clarification questions, and develop detailed technical, management, and pricing proposals.
- 4Agency evaluates proposals using best-value source selection criteria (technical, management, past performance, price) and awards the task order.
- 5Awarded task order runs under the holder's Alliant 3 base contract, with contract management handled through GSA's IT Solutions Navigator portal.
Key Facts, GSA Alliant 3
Important market intelligence for federal contractors pursuing GSA Alliant 3 task orders.
- 1$75B ceiling, the largest IT contract vehicle in federal government history by ceiling
- 2Unrestricted competition: all business sizes can compete for task orders
- 3Covers all IT service and solution types, no excluded technology domains
- 4Best-In-Class (BIC) designated with government-wide ordering authority
- 5Replaces Alliant 2, which had $50B in cumulative ordering activity
- 610-year contract term (5-year base + optional 5-year extension)
Eligibility & Requirements, GSA Alliant 3
What is required to hold a GSA Alliant 3 contract and compete for task orders.
- ✓Must submit a qualifying Alliant 3 offer and be awarded a contract by GSA (contracts are competed)
- ✓Demonstrated relevant past performance on large, complex IT programs within the proposed task areas
- ✓Technical capability evidence including certifications, case studies, and labor category qualifications
- ✓Financial capability to perform large-dollar, multi-year task orders
- ✓Active SAM.gov registration and DUNS/UEI with current representations and certifications
- ✓No size standard restriction: large, mid-size, and small businesses may hold Alliant 3 contracts
Top Agency Buyers, GSA Alliant 3
Federal agencies that most actively order through GSA Alliant 3. Understanding these buyers is essential for targeted capture and business development.
Department of Defense (DoD)
DoD civilian and joint IT programs use Alliant 3 for enterprise IT, systems integration, and cybersecurity at very large scales, with per-task-order values often exceeding $100M.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
DHS enterprise IT programs (including the DHS CDM cybersecurity program, USCIS modernization, and TSA digital transformation) generate significant Alliant 3 demand.
Department of State
State Department uses Alliant 3 for global IT infrastructure, embassy technology, and enterprise systems that span its worldwide diplomatic mission.
Department of Justice (DoJ)
DoJ and FBI use large business IT vehicles like Alliant 3 for complex investigative systems, enterprise applications, and IT infrastructure programs.
Intelligence Community (IC) Components
Unclassified IC-adjacent requirements at ODNI, DIA, and other components use Alliant 3 where GWAC authority is available.
Strategies for Winning GSA Alliant 3 Task Orders
Practical tactics for maximizing your success as a GSA Alliant 3 contract holder.
- 1Alliant 3 task orders average significantly higher in value than other IT GWACs, position your capture team for $50M–$500M range programs.
- 2Agencies have pre-established ordering patterns from Alliant 2, research which agencies spent the most through Alliant 2 USASpending data and target those relationships.
- 3Alliant 3 holders should invest in key relationships at DHS, DoD civilian components, Treasury, and HHS, historically the largest Alliant 2 users.
- 4Team arrangements and JVs are common on Alliant 3 task orders, develop a stable of teaming partners for domains where you need additional depth.
- 5GSA eBuy is the primary ordering portal, set up comprehensive eBuy alerts for Alliant 3 solicitations across all task areas immediately upon award.
- 6Alliant 3 does not preclude zero-dollar task orders to establish scope, use early awards to build agency relationships for larger follow-on orders.
SamSearch Platform
Never Miss a GSA Alliant 3 Task Order
SamSearch monitors task order solicitations across all major contract vehicles (including GSA Alliant 3) in real time. Get instant alerts, track re-competes, and understand agency spending patterns on your vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions, GSA Alliant 3
Common questions about GSA Alliant 3 including pools, eligibility, ordering process, and task order strategies.