Chief Information Officer – Solutions and Partners 3 (CIO-SP3)
CIO-SP3 is a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) administered by the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC) that provides federal agencies with access to a broad range of IT solutions and services through a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle.
What Is CIO-SP3?
CIO-SP3 (Chief Information Officer – Solutions and Partners 3) is a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) that provides federal agencies with access to a broad range of IT solutions and services.
It is administered by the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC), under the National Institutes of Health.
CIO-SP3 is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle designed to streamline federal IT procurement.
Key Characteristics of CIO-SP3
Instead of issuing a standalone procurement, agencies can issue a task order under the CIO-SP3 master contract, compete requirements among pre-awarded contract holders, and award quickly using streamlined GWAC procedures — reducing procurement timelines while ensuring compliance with federal acquisition standards.
Government-Wide Access
Available for use by all federal agencies to procure IT services.
Broad IT Scope
Covers ten task areas including IT services for biomedical research and healthcare, CIO support services, cybersecurity, software development, systems integration, IT operations and maintenance, and cloud and infrastructure services.
Multiple Contract Types
Supports fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, and time-and-materials task orders.
Small Business Opportunities
Includes small business tracks and socioeconomic set-asides.
Regulatory Framework
CIO-SP3 operates under:
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which governs federal procurement
Clinger-Cohen Act, which requires improved IT investment management
GWAC-specific ordering authorities under FAR Subpart 16.5
These frameworks ensure fair competition, proper oversight, and performance accountability.
Why CIO-SP3 Matters for Contractors
For government contractors, CIO-SP3 provides:
Access to a government-wide IT marketplace
Eligibility for large, multi-agency task orders
Increased visibility across federal buyers
Reduced need to compete for standalone IDIQ vehicles
However, being on the vehicle does not guarantee work. Contractors must still compete at the task order level.
CIO-SP3 is one of the foundational IT contract vehicles in federal procurement, particularly for agencies seeking rapid access to vetted IT providers.
Common Misconceptions About CIO-SP3
CIO-SP3 is only for health-related IT services.
Although managed by NIH, it is available for government-wide IT requirements across all federal agencies.
Award on CIO-SP3 guarantees revenue.
Contractors must compete for individual task orders. The base contract only establishes eligibility.
Only large businesses can participate.
CIO-SP3 includes small business contract holders and socioeconomic categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of contract is CIO-SP3?
It is a multiple-award GWAC structured as an IDIQ contract.
Who can use CIO-SP3?
All federal agencies are authorized to place task orders under CIO-SP3.
What kinds of services are commonly procured?
Cybersecurity, cloud migration, enterprise IT modernization, software development, and IT operations support.
How long is the contract period?
CIO-SP3 has a long base ordering period typical of GWACs, designed to provide long-term IT acquisition support.
Related Government Contracting Topics
Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC): A pre-competed, multi-agency contract vehicle for IT products and services.
Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) Contract: A contract structure allowing multiple task orders over a defined period.
SEWP (Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement): A NASA-managed GWAC for IT products and solutions.
GSA Multiple Award Schedule: A government-wide contract vehicle for commercial products and services.
Task Order Competition: The process of competing work among contract holders under an existing IDIQ or GWAC.
CIO-SP3 is a strategic federal IT acquisition vehicle that enables agencies to rapidly procure compliant, enterprise-grade technology solutions. For contractors, participation provides access to high-value federal IT opportunities across the government landscape.