Government contracts 2022 — Year in review

By Hollie Kapos, Legal Counsel Director, immixGroup

2022 was a busy year, and it was easy to miss some big changes in commercial item government contracting. Below are some key updates from 2022 and what immixGroup is keeping an eye on in 2023 and beyond.

GSA Ascend BPA for Cloud
Ascend is a multiple-award blanket purchase agreement (BPA) under the cloud and professional services Multiple Award Schedule SINs intended to simplify acquisition of secure cloud solutions. Task orders under the BPA will be placed under one or more of three pools: (1) infrastructure- and platform-as-a-service, (2) software-as-a-service, and (3) cloud IT professional services. The BPA will also establish minimum cybersecurity requirements, including cybersecurity supply chain risk management (C-SCRM) and zero trust architecture (ZTA). GSA released a draft performance work statement in May, followed by a market research request for information in July. Using feedback it obtained from industry, GSA plans to release a draft request for quotations in 2Q2023. Suppliers looking to add products to the Ascend BPA should start preparing now; products will need to be on SIN 518210C for eligibility. Read Tara Franzonello’s Washington Technology article for more information.