Introduction

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking experienced resellers of IT hardware, software, and related services for a new multiple-award, strategic sourcing contract known as the Strategic Sourcing for the Acquisition of Various Equipment and Supplies (SAVES). SAVES is estimated to be worth between $5 billion and $10 billion over 10 years. The FAA has issued a draft Statement of Work (SOW) for SAVES, and a Request for Proposals (RFP) could be issued as soon as this spring. If you want to expand your business with FAA SAVES, then you need to start preparing your proposal now. In this article, we will provide you with some background information, an overview of the RFP, and some tips on how to participate and win this lucrative contract. We are GDI Consulting, a professional business development consulting firm with experience supporting large, strategic bids like SAVES. We can provide capture and proposal teams to develop a complete, winning proposal for you.

Historical Background

The FAA SAVES contract is not the first of its kind. The FAA has previously issued similar contracts for IT hardware and software procurement, such as the following:

These contracts demonstrate the FAA’s need for reliable and cost-effective IT solutions to support its operations and modernization efforts. However, they also show the challenges and complexities involved in competing for and delivering such solutions. The FAA SAVES contract aims to streamline and consolidate the procurement process for IT hardware and software products and services, while ensuring quality and performance standards.

RFP Description

The FAA SAVES contract is expected to be a multiple-award, firm-fixed price with economic price adjustments contract with a 10-year period of performance. The contract will cover the following products and services:

  • Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software
  • Network infrastructure components (servers, switches, storage arrays, and network devices)
  • Personal computing devices (workstations, laptops, tablets, thin clients, notebooks, and similar items)
  • Computer peripherals and accessories
  • Audio/visual equipment
  • Miscellaneous equipment (large screens, touch screens, scanners, projectors, desktop printers, multi-functional devices (MFD))
  • Software to support the above-mentioned hardware
  • Cloud-based services by various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) that meet the FAA IT community’s requirements
  • Technical and professional support services that enable the full lifecycle management of IT assets
  • Software as a Service (SaaS) in which the Contractor provides specific software applications for use by service consumers

The contract will not include non-COTS software items or software development for COTS items1. The contract will be used across the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The draft SOW provides more details on the scope of work, deliverables, performance standards, quality assurance measures, reporting requirements, security requirements, ordering procedures, pricing structure, invoicing procedures, warranty terms, and other terms and conditions. The draft SOW also includes several attachments that provide additional information on the FAA’s IT environment, inventory management system, asset management system, configuration management system, and cloud services.

The draft SOW is subject to change, and the final SOW will be issued with the RFP. The RFP will also include instructions for proposal preparation, evaluation criteria, and award process. The RFP is anticipated to be issued in the spring of 2023, and the proposals will be due within 30 days of the RFP issuance. The FAA expects to award the contract to multiple vendors by the end of 2023.

Who Should Participate

The FAA SAVES contract is open to all qualified IT resellers who can meet the FAA’s requirements and expectations. The FAA is looking for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) or authorized resellers of OEM products and services that have experience in providing IT hardware, software, and related services to large and complex organizations. The FAA is also looking for vendors who can offer competitive pricing, innovative solutions, and excellent customer service.

The FAA SAVES contract is a great opportunity for IT resellers who want to expand their market share, increase their revenue, and establish a long-term relationship with the FAA and DOT. The contract will provide access to a wide range of IT products and services that are essential for the FAA’s mission and operations. The contract will also provide opportunities for cross-selling, upselling, and value-added services that can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

However, the FAA SAVES contract is also a highly competitive and challenging opportunity that requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. The contract will require vendors to comply with stringent performance standards, quality assurance measures, security requirements, and reporting obligations. The contract will also require vendors to adapt to changing customer needs, technological advancements, and market conditions.

Challenges

Some of the challenges that IT resellers may face in pursuing the FAA SAVES contract are:

  • Understanding the FAA’s IT environment, needs, preferences, and expectations
  • Developing a compelling value proposition that differentiates from other vendors
  • Demonstrating past performance and relevant experience in providing similar products and services
  • Offering competitive pricing that reflects market conditions and economic factors
  • Providing innovative solutions that leverage cloud-based services and emerging technologies
  • Ensuring compliance with security requirements and regulations
  • Managing inventory, assets, configuration, and lifecycle of IT products and services
  • Providing technical and professional support services that meet customer satisfaction
  • Establishing effective communication and collaboration with the FAA and other stakeholders
  • Mitigating risks and resolving issues that may arise during contract performance

Conclusion

The FAA SAVES contract is a significant opportunity for IT resellers who want to grow their business with the FAA and DOT. The contract will provide access to a large and diverse market of IT products and services that are critical for the FAA’s mission and operations. However, the contract will also pose many challenges and complexities that require careful planning, preparation, and execution. To succeed in this opportunity, IT resellers need to understand the FAA’s requirements and expectations, develop a compelling value proposition, demonstrate past performance and relevant experience, offer competitive pricing, provide innovative solutions, ensure compliance with security requirements, manage inventory, assets, configuration, and lifecycle of IT products and services, provide technical and professional support services, establish effective communication and collaboration with the FAA and other stakeholders, and mitigate risks and resolve issues.

If you need help with any of these aspects of capture management or proposal development, we are here to assist you. We are GDI Consulting, contact us today at www.gdicwins.com to discuss your bids, so we can help you win this lucrative contract.