For SBA-certified 8(a) firms in the IT market, few vehicles are as valuable as 8(a) STARS III. It is GSA’s Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) set aside only for 8(a) prime contractors. Any federal agency can use it to buy customized IT services and IT services-based solutions. Agencies also receive socioeconomic credit for every order they place, and they can award directed (sole source) task orders up to the 8(a) competitive threshold. That combination makes STARS III one of the fastest paths for an agency to get a contract to an 8(a) IT firm.

STARS III has also changed a great deal this year. When the five-year base period ended on July 1, 2026, GSA exercised the three-year option for only some contract holders. The vehicle went from more than 1,000 awardees to about 150 active primes. Those firms can now receive new orders through July 2029, with task order performance running to 2034.

This course explains how STARS III works and what the July 2026 option decision means for current holders, firms that lost their spot, and teaming partners. It also covers how 8(a) firms can make the most of the vehicle in its remaining ordering years.

Who Should Attend

• SBA-certified 8(a) firms providing IT services, whether or not they hold a STARS III contract

• Firms preparing for 8(a) certification that want to understand what it unlocks in the IT market

• Small IT businesses looking to team with or subcontract to STARS III primes

• Business development staff, capture managers, and owners new to GWACs

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain what STARS III is, who can hold it, and how it differs from GSA MAS and other GWACs such as Polaris

2. Describe its structure: a $50 billion program ceiling, NAICS 541512 as the primary code, and fixed-price, T&M, labor-hour, and hybrid order types

3. Understand how directed (sole source) task orders work and why agencies value that flexibility

4. Explain the July 2026 option decision and its effect on the contractor pool

5. Locate GSA’s current list of active STARS III primes and use it for teaming and market research

6. Build a plan for using STARS III through the July 2029 ordering deadline.

Participants will leave knowing how STARS III works and where it stands after the July 2026 option decision. They will also know how to use it, whether by winning directed orders as a prime or partnering with one of the remaining contract holders.

Date & Time

Web Conference Meeting: Wednesday, November 11, 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.