Federal agencies spend billions each year on IT services. A growing share of that money moves through Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), which are pre-competed vehicles that let any agency place task orders quickly with a vetted pool of contractors. For small IT firms, getting onto a GWAC, or partnering with a company that has, can be the difference between chasing one-off opportunities and having a steady pipeline.
This course looks at Polaris, GSA’s small business GWAC for customized IT services and IT services-based solutions. Polaris is GSA’s successor to the cancelled Alliant 2 Small Business contract. It is built around four socioeconomic pools: Small Business (SB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), HUBZone, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Each pool lets agencies set aside task orders for that category of firm.
The course gives particular attention to the WOSB pool, which received its first awards in 2026 and is one of the newest set-aside vehicles in federal IT. Participants will learn how Polaris works and who holds positions in each pool. They will also learn where the vehicle stands legally after a September 2026 court ruling, and how WOSBs and other small IT firms can benefit, whether or not they hold a Polaris contract.
Who Should Attend
Women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, and other small businesses that provide IT services
Firms considering a future GWAC on-ramp or a teaming or subcontracting role with current awardees
WOSB and EDWOSB-certified firms that want to put their certification to work in the federal IT market
Business development staff, capture managers, and owners new to GWACs
No prior GWAC experience is needed.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Explain what a GWAC is and how it differs from a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract and from agency-specific IDIQs
Describe the structure of Polaris, including its four pools, its 10-year term (five-year base plus five one-year options), and its IT services-only scope
Identify the current status of each pool: who has been awarded, how many firms, and what remains pending
Understand how the September 2026 Court of Federal Claims ruling affects new Polaris awards
Recognize the main NAICS code (541512, Computer Systems Design Services) and the size standard that applies
Find Polaris awardees and use that list for teaming, subcontracting, and market research
Judge whether pursuing a future Polaris on-ramp makes sense for their firm
Date & Time
Web Conference Meeting: Wednesday, October 28, 2026; 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Registration
Click here to register now.
Fees
Registration fees are based on membership level. Members and non-members are welcome.
Fees for this meeting are as follows:
Complimentary: Supplier Members
$15: Business Members
$35:Advocate Members, Individual, and Non-Members
Complimentary: Government Agency and Large Prime Contractor Representatives
If you are not currently a Supplier or Business Member, consider joining here and then returning to this page to purchase your discounted registration.
Presenter
Charmagne Giardina
President
The American Small Business Chamber of Commerce
Charmagne Giardina is a nationally recognized small business advocate with over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, public service, and nonprofit leadership. As President of The American Small Business Chamber of Commerce, she drives efforts to expand federal contracting access and economic opportunity for small firms. Her cross-sector background includes construction, hospitality, and municipal services. Formerly President of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, she has led national initiatives to advance policy reform and certification access for women-owned businesses. Known for her strategic leadership and operational expertise, Giardina remains a trusted voice for equity and economic empowerment in the small business community.