Director's Corner

Is setting up an IDIQ right for your agency?

In U.S. Federal government contracting, IDIQ is an abbreviation of the term indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity. This is a type of contract that provides for an indefinite quantity of supplies or services during a fixed period. IDIQs are also sometimes called "Task Orders" or "Delivery Order Contracts."

Every day the federal government fends off tens of thousands of cyberattacks from adversaries. Some of these attacks are simple – phishing emails aimed at hopefully tricking an unassuming federal employee – to more sophisticated attacks targeting the nation’s most precious data assets.

At NITAAC, we are not only fueling modernization across the government, we are leading by example. As one of the federal government’s top sources for ‘everything IT,’ NITAAC has taken the message of modernization to heart and is proud to launch a refreshed experience that will change how agencies acquire new technology. NITAAC’s three easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, Best in Class GWACs – CIO-SP3, CIO-SP3 Small Business, and CIO-CS – provide any agency, government-wide, with an easy and accessible method for acquiring more effective citizen service or mission delivery.

With 8(a) STARS II reaching its contract ceiling, many agencies that relied on the 8(a) STARS II GWAC, must now begin the process of seeking alternative GWACs to meet their socioeconomic requirements. 

With over 31,000 cybersecurity incidents affecting government agencies in 2018 alone, it is no surprise that government and industry come together for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) every October to inform Americans about the importance of cybersecurity. And while this year’s NCSAM is over, the need for cybersecurity solutions is not. 

The GSS Working Group, which consists of NITAAC, GSA and NASA SEWP issued new Standard Laptop, Desktop, and Tablet Specifications v4.0 for the Government-Wide Strategic Solutions (GSS) online marketplace. Offering Apple and PC laptops, desktops, tablets and two-in-ones, GSS features a wide array of quality IT products for federal civilian and DoD agencies. With the latest update to GSS, NITAAC has also updated its stock of available product specifications, making it easier than ever for agencies to choose the specifications that best meet their budget and mission demands.

We lead busy lives, and sometimes when you’re on the go all day you can end up missing that important piece of news. Well, now NITAAC is on the go with you. The recently unveiled NITAAC GO mobile app is the number one way to stay up to speed on the latest from NITAAC and the government acquisition community at large. Never miss another piece of breaking news, or overlook an event, whether that be a regularly scheduled NITAAC training or the next big acquisition trade show.

Welcome to the newly refreshed NITAAC website at nitaac.nih.gov. I am proud to have launched a refreshed experience that will change how agencies acquire new technology. We have designed our new website with you, the user, in mind so that you can find the resources you need to get your next IT procurement off the ground and moving. To this end, we have enhanced our search capabilities for tools, templates, events and contract holders, making it even easier for you to easily access the information you need.