Update: 8(a)s gearing up to bid on new $20M+ DHS FEMA System IV&V Services BPA

Updated April 10, 2023 

The latest word is that this Department of Homeland Security BPA to offer FEMA Directorates/Programs an enterprise level vehicle providing services to conduct System Independent Verification and Validation testing (functional and non-functional) on all existing and new IT Systems and applications across the FEMA Enterprise is now expected to be competed as an 8(a) set-aside action on GSA MAS.  

As part of this BPA, the awardee will also be conduct testing services for systems, infrastructure enhancements and pilots that originate from within Office of Chief Technology Officer within the FEMA Office of Chief Information Officer. The RFP is tentatively expected to be released on or around April 21st using NAICS 541511. 

This move from 8(a) STARS III to MAS, if it stands, will knock out some of the larger companies that qualify as a STARS III Prime, but have graduated from the 8(a) program, as well as many joint venture STARS III Primes who do not have access to MAS. Regardless, a new BPA being competed on a widely held vehicle will draw a crowd and you can expect the competition to be fierce.   

Added February 27, 2023 

Several months after releasing an initial RFI, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced its plans to release an RFP as early as March 10th to support ongoing Office of the CTO Enterprise Test and Evaluation section support needs. The OCTO supports several critical FEMA IT needs including enterprise architecture, quality assurance, engineering, and IT project management. To ensure that all FEMA IT projects and services meet standards, OCTO conducts Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) and evaluation solutions on enterprise IT systems to authenticate that they are performing to defined design, cost, schedule, performance specifications and capabilities. This includes leveraging best practices in supporting IV&V testing using the latest technology and test automation tools, as well as a range of services that include business rules/process, integration, API, functionality, tuning, the use of manual and automation approaches, while ensuring efforts are compatible with Agile, CI/CD, DevSecOps, Cloud migrations, etc. 

This new 4-year single award blanket purchase agreement, valued at more than $20M, will serve as an enterprise level contract vehicle providing services to conduct IV&V testing on all existing and new FEMA IT Systems and Applications across the FEMA enterprise, to include providing testing services for systems, infrastructure enhancements and pilots that originate from within OCTO. These systems are hosted on premise, as well as FEMA approved Cloud environments. 

This contract is currently expected to be competed on 8(a) STARS III using NAICS 519190 as early as mid-next month. To support partnering efforts, included below is a list of the 8(a) STARS III Primes we have noted as drawing the most views by Government and industry leaders on the OrangeSlices AI consultant directory since the beginning of 2023 and that bring direct past performance and/or related relationships in support of FEMA. 

Key Current and Former Points of Contact 

  • Dr. Michelle Duncan, Contracting Officer, FEMA – michelle.duncan@fema.dhs.gov 
  • Keara Brown Spinner – Contracts,  keara.brownspinner@associates.fema.dhs.gov. 
  • Harry Clark, Team Lead for Office of Chief Technology Officer, Engineer Division Test & Evaluation Section, FEMA – Harry.Clark@fema.dhs.gov 
  • Ted Okada, CTO, Federal Emergency Management Agency 
  • Robert Keegan, Small Business Specialist, FEMA 

FEMA focused 8(a) STARS III Primes drawing the most attention: 

** An Elev8 GovCon Honoree, noted for a corporate culture that demonstrates excellence, making the company a beacon for talent, for partners, and for clients.     

We cannot and will not speculate here as to the reasons for the increased interest, but whether it is a company evaluating them as a potential partner; a federal acquisition leader doing their due diligence; or a consultant weighing their next job move, this group of companies has been receiving increased interest. 

Looking to identify some of the top 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB and large partner supporting DHS FEMA? Click Here You can filter the list by several key indicators, to include socio-economic status, NAICS, Contract vehicle, etc.  

If you are a small business with capabilities and socio-economic status that might support this effort, comment below. 

Related Data 

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About OrangeSlices AI  

Developed by a team of government and industry contracting subject matter experts, the OrangeSlices AI data driven platform is a publicly available searchable listing of the top information technology and consulting services contractors doing business with the Federal government today. Driven by a robust and comprehensive set of authoritative and trusted data sources, the OS.ai tool is intended to help government and industry leaders find the right partner to help deliver on the important missions of the Federal government.  

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