Master Information Technology (IT) Services Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) Contract

Small Business Procurement Initiative (SBPI)

Executive Order 2011-09 - Small Business Procurement Initiative (SBPI), executed on November 21, 2011, directs the Department of General Services to develop and implement policy initiatives to increase opportunities for small businesses to compete for award of Commonwealth contracts as prime contractors. The Office of Administration has reserved the following service categories of the Master Information Technology (IT) Services Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) Contractto support this initiative:

  • Cabling Services
  • Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Software Services
  • Consulting Services - IT Project Management
  • Consulting Services - Network Services & Telecom Services
  • IT Training - Classroom/Non-Classroom

Please refer to Part I, Chapter 21 of the Procurement Handbook for policy and procedures regarding the SBPI.

All agenciesmust follow the requirements below when using the Master IT Services ITQ Contractfor the SBPI:

  • DGS certified small business bidders list: Agencies must develop a bidder’s list by reviewing the list of current DGS certified small businesses located at
  • Solicitation:
  • Projects estimated to cost less than $50,000: Agencies must solicit quotes from a minimum of five (5)DGS certified small businesses that are qualified contractors in the applicable service category(ies) of the Master IT Services ITQ Contract. Agencies may request quotes, and contractors may respond, via email. A Statement of Work (SOW) must accompany the agencies request. The SOW must be attached to the associated purchase order. All other standard Master IT Services ITQ Contract procedures for projects of this estimated value apply. Agencies must keep a record of the DGS certified small businesses solicited and also ensure that the same five (5)DGS certified small businesses are not solicited repeatedly.
  • Projects estimated to cost greater than $50,000: Agencies must solicit proposals from all DGS certified small businesses that are qualified contractors in the applicable service category(ies)of the Master IT Services ITQ Contract. All other standard Master IT Services ITQ Contract procedures for projects of this estimated value apply.

Advertisement: Agencies must indicate whether or not the project is a SBPI reserve when completing the Request to Advertise Form and must also indicate whether or not the solicitation will be restricted to only those DGS certified small businesses which are qualified contractors in the designated service categories of the Master IT Services ITQ Contract.

  • Verification of Eligibility: Agencies must ensure a valid DGS SBPI certification letteris submitted with thequalified contractors quote.

Reference Material:

Executive Order 2011-09 - Small Business Procurement Initiative

Procurement Handbook Part I, Chapter 21 - Small and Diverse Businesses

Rev 05.22.2013Page 1