Ascend BPA

GSA Seeking Feedback on Performance Work Statement Attached to Cloud BPA

The General Services Administration is seeking feedback on the draft performance work statement attached to its commercial cloud-related request for information.

GSA posted the RFI in 2021, announcing its intent to create a multi-award blanket purchase agreement for cloud and information technology professional services.

The BPA, known as Ascend, will be rolled out in a phased manner as part of the GSA Cloud Marketplace, the agency said in a presolicitation notice published in May.

GSA said that Ascend will have multiple award pools, each containing a specific set of requirements related to cloud adoption.

The BPA will also offer contracting opportunities for cloud-focused labor services such as infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service and software-as-a-service, FCW reported Wednesday.

GSA asked potential respondents to review the performance work statement attached to Ascend, which was previously known as the GSA Governmentwide Cloud BPA. Responses are due June 6.

The agency noted that it does not yet have a timeline for Ascend awards. Updates will be provided through eBuy and SAM .gov.

A GSA official previously said that Ascend is aimed at making it easier for government agencies to acquire commercial cloud products and services.

Sonny Hashmi, commissioner of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service and a 2021 Wash100 winner, said that Ascend could help reduce procurement agencies for agencies and administrative burdens for companies.

Hashmi noted that agencies already have more than one way to buy cloud offerings. Ascend will only serve as an alternative option that addresses the “pain points” in other procurement methods, he said at FCW’s Cloud Summit.