A GWAC is a pre-competed, multi-agency contract vehicle that allows any federal agency to order services (typically IT, consulting, or professional services) without competing the requirement again. Winning a GWAC spot provides access to government-wide sales opportunities.
A Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) is similar to a GSA Schedule but typically used for more complex services like IT solutions, systems integration, management consulting, and professional services. The key difference: GWACs are pre-competed vehicles where multiple contractors are selected, and then any federal agency can place task orders directly without doing a new procurement.
Major GWACs include Alliant, Alliant 2, the Veterans Affairs' Schedules, and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) contracts. Being on a GWAC means your pricing and terms are pre-approved, and you're in the government's approved "ordering system." Agencies can directly award task orders to you without issuing RFPs, though some may still conduct limited competition.
Why it matters: GWACs provide recurring revenue potential from multiple federal agencies. Unlike winning one-off contracts, a GWAC spot is a continuing opportunity. The Alliant contracts, for example, cover 24 federal agencies. Getting on the right GWAC can transform a business by providing access to dozens of potential customers.
In practice, winning a GWAC is competitive but worth the effort. You'll submit a proposal competing against dozens or hundreds of other companies. Once selected, you market yourself to individual agencies. The real money comes from winning task orders off the GWAC, so you need a business development strategy to contact agencies and bid on individual opportunities.
One strategic consideration: not all GWACs are equally valuable. Some are oversaturated with contractors, making competition intense. Others have specific focus areas (small business, women-owned, etc.) that might fit your profile better. Another point: GWAC holders often compete against each other, so you'll need strong capabilities and competitive pricing to win task orders.