Katie Helwig shares BLUF: GSA Will NOT Be Taking on CIO-SP4?!

By Katie Helwig, President, Mild Red LLC

On September 24th, the Growth Officers Association (GOA) hosted a candid discussion at the Carahsoft Building in Reston, VA. The conversation was both direct and insightful – offering contractors and acquisition leaders a window into GSA’s priorities and challenges ahead.

Below are my key takeaways.

Contract Vehicles: What to Expect

• Polaris SB – GSA has “lots of patience” to make this program succeed, but that patience is elastic. If progress stalls, changes may follow.
• OASIS+ – Phase 1 awards remain outstanding, and completing those comes first. Additional domains and a winter on-ramp are on the timeline, but the agency is focused on one milestone at a time.
• CIO-SP4 – Consider this sunk. GSA will not be taking over the troubled vehicle.
• NASA SEWP – NASA will continue to manage the program until SEWP VI awards are made and the vehicle is stable. Long-term, GSA is expected to assume administrative responsibilities.
• GSA MAS – Anticipate growth in scope and adoption.
• OneGov – Launching with software in 2025, with expansion into other IT solutions in 2026 and beyond.

Best-in-Class and Small Business Participation

FAR Part 8 directs agencies to use preferred contracts, and new determinations are coming on what qualifies as Best-in-Class (BIC). Market viability and usage will play a role, and the GSA MAS program is likely to receive BIC status.

• Value-Added Resellers (VARs): Still in the mix. Many OEMs have no desire to sell directly to the government, and GSA sees VARs as a continuing asset in the acquisition ecosystem.
• Small Business: Allen reiterated his commitment to small business participation. The SBA is expected to issue guidance to add to the guidance outlined in the FAR overhaul, with FAR Part 19 in approval stages now and publication anticipated soon.

AI Integration

Allen emphasized that AI will play a practical role in government acquisition. Near-term opportunities include:

• Acquisition support
• Regulatory support
• Stretching IT dollars further

Policy around AI use will remain fluid. Agencies are being encouraged to “try AI, then revise policy.” Equally important: agencies must clearly communicate internal AI policies while leaving room for innovation by end users.

The FAR Overhaul

• The effort is 75% complete, with Phase 1 mandated to finish by September 30.
• Normally, rulemaking takes 18 months, but agencies are being asked to compress it into 12.

Reality Checks Inside GSA

• Talent: RIFs have significantly affected GSA bandwidth. Staff are being asked back, but gaps remain.
• Morale: Allen thanked those who stayed—“thank you for not giving up on me”—while acknowledging the strain.
• Compensation: Government staff work hard for below-industry salaries, staying motivated by the mission. Recognition and appreciation are critical.

Will Modernization Happen?

Yes. Three executive orders have established acquisition reform as a priority, providing the top-cover and accountability needed for lasting change.

GSA’s Role: A “Field Army” for OMB

Allen described GSA as the “field Army for OMB.” For change to take root, GSA must improve how it markets itself, communicates its value, and “sells” its services to federal customers. With high turnover across agencies, GSA cannot assume customers understand its offerings—the onus is on GSA to educate and engage.

Final Word

For contractors tracking the future of federal procurement, this session clarified several key issues. CIO-SP4 is off GSA’s table. OASIS+ and Polaris continue to evolve. SEWP will bridge the gap until long-term plans take shape. And overarching it all: modernization, AI integration, and a historic FAR overhaul are reshaping the acquisition environment.

Have thoughts? You can comment below or connect with Katie here.