Consulting and Technical Services+ (CATS+)
CATS+ (Consulting and Technical Services+) is a Maryland state master contract vehicle used to procure IT consulting and technical services, allowing Maryland state agencies to issue task orders to pre-qualified vendors for a wide range of information technology services.
What Is CATS+?
CATS+ (Consulting and Technical Services+) is a Maryland state master contract vehicle used to procure IT consulting and technical services.
It allows Maryland state agencies to issue task orders to pre-qualified vendors for a wide range of information technology services, administered by the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT).
While similar in structure to federal Multiple Award Contracts (MACs), CATS+ is governed by state-level procurement authority under the State Finance and Procurement Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland rather than the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Key Characteristics of CATS+
Master Contract Structure: Vendors are awarded positions under a statewide master contract administered by the Maryland Department of Information Technology.
Task Order-Based Procurement: Agencies issue competitive task orders for specific projects among the pre-qualified vendor pool.
Functional Service Areas: Organized into categories such as software engineering, cybersecurity, IT project management, cloud modernization, and systems integration.
Pre-Qualified Vendors: Contractors must meet qualification and technical requirements through a competitive solicitation to participate.
How CATS+ Works in Government Contracting
Step 1: Vendor Qualification
Vendors respond to a competitive solicitation issued by the Maryland Department of Information Technology.
Small and minority-owned businesses may qualify if they meet the technical requirements — CATS+ is not limited to large IT firms.
Step 2: Agency Issues Task Order Request
Instead of issuing a standalone solicitation, Maryland agencies draft a task order request and compete the requirement among awarded CATS+ vendors.
This reduces procurement timelines while maintaining competition at the task order level.
Step 3: Vendor Selection and Execution
Agencies select a vendor based on technical and pricing evaluation of submitted task order proposals.
Being awarded under CATS+ improves positioning but does not guarantee task order awards — competition still occurs at the task order level.
Why CATS+ Matters in Government Contracting
For vendors, CATS+ provides:
Access to recurring IT opportunities across Maryland agencies
A streamlined bidding environment limited to approved vendors
Reduced administrative overhead compared to open market solicitations
Increased visibility within state government IT procurement
CATS+ is commonly used for software development, cybersecurity initiatives, cloud modernization, IT staffing and consulting, and systems integration.
Participation requires meeting qualification thresholds, maintaining compliance with state reporting and performance requirements, and remaining competitive at the task order level.
Common Misconceptions About CATS+
CATS+ guarantees work for awarded vendors.
Agencies must still compete individual task orders among approved vendors. Award on CATS+ only grants eligibility to compete.
Only large IT firms qualify.
Small and minority-owned businesses may qualify if they meet the technical requirements.
CATS+ eliminates competition.
Competition still occurs at the task order level among contract holders for every project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a vendor get on CATS+?
Vendors respond to a competitive solicitation issued by the Maryland Department of Information Technology and must meet qualification and technical requirements.
What types of services are included?
Services include IT consulting, software development, cybersecurity, cloud services, project management, and systems integration.
How long does the CATS+ contract last?
Master contracts typically run multiple years with option periods, depending on the specific solicitation cycle.
Can local governments use CATS+?
CATS+ is primarily for Maryland state agencies, though certain public entities may be authorized users.
Related Government Contracting Topics
Multiple Award Contract (MAC): A contract structure where multiple vendors are awarded and compete for task orders under a master agreement, similar to CATS+.
Task Order: A project-specific work assignment issued under a master contract vehicle such as CATS+.
Request for Proposals (RFP): A formal solicitation method used to evaluate vendors based on technical and cost factors.
Cooperative Purchasing: A procurement approach allowing multiple government entities to leverage pre-established contracts.
State Procurement Law: The statutory and regulatory framework governing purchasing activities at the state level, including the Maryland State Finance and Procurement Article.