SBA 8(a)
The Telophase Corporation was awarded 8(a) certification by the Small
Business Administration (SBA) in 2002. The 8(a) program was created
by the Small Business Act in order to provide greater opportunities
in the federal sector for minority-owned businesses. This certification
conveniently enables customers to award Telophase sole-source contracts
with values of up to $3 million. This feature of the 8(a) procurement
process eliminates the need for customers to engage in the lengthy process
associated with open competitions. Moreover, because the SBA has signed
Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with 25 federal agencies, customers
across the government are assured of their ability to procure Telophase
solutions and services in an expeditious and simplified manner.
In this method of procurement, SBA acts as the de facto prime contractor
and facilitates the acquisition process for the customer. The different
steps are described below.
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The customer decides to procure services and
solutions from Telophase.
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The customer prepares a Statement of Work and
establishes the availability of requisite funds.
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The customer contacts Telophase’s Business Opportunity
Specialist (BOS) at SBA in order to obtain authorization to
negotiate with Telophase.
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After the SBA approves, the customer issues
an RFP directly to Telophase.
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Telophase responds to the RFP and negotiates
pricing with customer.
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The customer submits completed contract to SBA
for approval.
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SBA approves contract and “subcontracts” the
work to Telophase.
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STARS 8(a)
Telophase Corporation was awarded the STARS 8(a) Government-Wide
Acquisition Vehicle (GWAC) in June of 2004. This IDIQ contract provides
for 3-year base with two, two-year option periods (June 2004 - June
2011). The STARS 8(a) GWAC is designed to provide technology solutions
and other related services to various government agencies.
The Benefits of Using STARS 8(a)
STARS 8(a) allows federal government access to hardware, software,
related supplies and services that may be procured as part of an integrated
technology solution by using pre-competed, easy to use contracts and
short procurement lead time. It helps support small business and meet
procurement preference goals by allowing availability and access to
proven small business and 8(a) technology providers. It has a low
user fee (0.75 percent) built into contractors' ceiling prices and
the Small Business GWAC Center provides information technology (IT)
specialty contract administration for interested parties.
How to use STARS 8(a): The Task Order Process
There are 3 documents the FTS needs to do business with the GSA
to begin the process:
| 1. |
A signed interagency
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Service Agreement |
| 2. |
Statement of
Work (SOW) - used for technology or telecommunications services/projects
including the Functional Area under which it falls (Client/customer
approval for the items described in the SOW based on the price
and availability proposed by an industry partner is required.) |
| 3. |
Funding documents
which include the FTS fee for services |
GSA FTS Client Support Centers offer many support services including:
•Providing direct client interface and support
•Issuing and managing delivery and task orders against contracts
•Procurement on the behalf of federal customers
Information about GSA FTS is available on the web at www.gsa.gov/fts
or by calling (703) 306-6000.
The Government may disseminate RFQ/RFPs via the GSA FTS IT Solutions
Shop (ITSS) online ordering system at http://it-solutions.gsa.gov
soon to be replaced with an upgraded system known as GSA Preferred.
ITSS utilizes contractor distribution lists known as contract families.
The contract family in ITSS is 8aSTARS.
Facsimile, e-mail, other electronic means or commercial mail carrier
are acceptable for issuing RFQs/RFP's. The use of any one of the preceding
ways to broadcast an RFQ/RFP notice to all contract holders in the
applicable functional area satisfies the fair opportunity notification
requirement.
Please be reminded that all contract holders within the respective
functional area must be sent the RFQ/RFP when the total dollar value
of the task order exceeds the $3 million competitive threshold. Partial
selection is strictly prohibited and is in violation of fair opportunity
provisions found in FAR Part 16.
D/SIDDOMS III
This contract vehicle allows Telophase to provide a broad range of
IT services and solutions to the Assistant Secretary of Defense Office
of Health Affairs Tricare Management Activity (TMA) as well as other
customers within the Military Health System (MHS).
FAA BITS II
Telophase Corporation was awarded the FAA BITS II Government-Wide
Acquisition Vehicle (GWAC) as part of the DataSource, Inc. team in
June, 2003. This IDIQ contract provides for a base year plus seven
option years and is designed to provide a wide range of information
technology and related services in support of the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and other government agencies.
The Benefits of Using BITS II
In addition to the FAA and Department of Transportation, any government
agency can utilize this contract vehicle as a quick and efficient
way to procure IT services and solutions from Telophase while at the
same time satisfying agency small business goals. Moreover, using
this vehicle precludes contracting officers from spending time preparing
and managing a full and open competition. Because Telophase has been
been pre-selected as a contractor of choice for the FAA through BITS
II, project officers across all federal agencies can be assured that
Telophase services and solutions meet the highest standards of excellence
and customer satisfaction and that our rates are fair and reasonable,
representing best value for the customer.
How to use BITS II: The Task Order Process
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In the first stage of the process, the Customer
selects Telophase as the preferred contractor and prepares a
Procurement Request (PR) or a Funding Authorization Letter in
addition to a detailed Statement of Work (SOW) for submission
to the BITS II Program Office. The customer also prepares an
Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE). Finally, the customer
submits a Technical Officer Representative (TOR) Nomination
form, which essentially designates which individuals within
the customer’s organization will act as an agent in interacting
with Telophase for the particular task order.
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Customers can use the published
BITS II labor rates in order to develop their ICGE. Telophase
rates can be found at the following link under the “DataSource”
column. http://www2.faa.gov/ara/asu/bits/BITS%20II/rates/labor%20rate.htm
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It is important to note that the ICGE
should include a 1% administrative fee assessed to the
total estimated cost of services to be provided by Telophase.
This fee covers administrative handling fees provided
by the FAA BITS II Program Office. |
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To read more about the BITS II Task Order
Process click
here. |
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The Contracting Specialist at the BITS II Office
reviews the PR, SOW and ICGE and works with customer to ensure
that these documents are accurate and complete.
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Next, the BITS II Contracting Officers request
a work plan from Telophase.
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Telophase submits work plan to BITS II Program
Office and contracting officers review it to ensure it is accurate
and complete.
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Task Order is approved and awarded. Telophase
is ready to begin work.
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*The total time for Task Order processing can vary from 3 to 10 days.
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