A new cloud-based, shared-service contract writing and administration system is being launched by the General Services Administration’s Common Acquisition Platform (CAP) program to offer a turnkey, comprehensive solution for federal agencies.
The CAP Contract Writing System-as-a-Service (CWSS), anticipated to be available by the third quarter of fiscal 2017 via interagency agreements with the GSA, will offer a kickoff-to-closeout process guide and provide progress and metrics notifications throughout the acquisition’s life cycle.
Benefits touted include tiered volume discounts based on usage levels; an established fee structure to develop interfaces around customized business process workflows and individual agency financial systems; a firm, fixed-price SaaS model; and compatibility with financial management guidelines, integration with Integrated Award Environment systems and compliance with emerging federal procurement data standards.
"Offering CWSS as a shared service to federal agencies is another step forward in GSA's mission to provide innovative acquisition solutions that reduce costs and deliver a more efficient contracting process for government," said Federal Acquisition Service Deputy Commissioner Kevin Youel Page in a news release. "As a CAP initiative, CWSS fits into a broader, strategic, government-wide 'buy-as-one' approach to acquisition. CAP is focused on developing products and services that increase effectiveness in the government's acquisition process by leveraging the cloud for enhanced performance, data sharing, and service delivery; all with an eye towards helping agencies buy smarter to meet their core missions."
GSA, which is solely responsible for service provisions under agreement with Distributed Solutions Inc. of Reston, Virginia, will handle security accreditation as well as ongoing operations and maintenance of CWSS.
More information on the system and how federal agencies can purchase a license prior to rollout can be found at interact.gsa.gov/cap.
