National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC)

The National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC) is a federal executive agent authorized by the Office of Management and Budget to administer three Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts for information technology. NITAAC provides federal agencies with a streamlined way to procure IT products, services, and solutions through pre-competed, multiple award contract vehicles.

What Is NITAAC?

NITAAC provides federal agencies with a streamlined way to procure IT products, services, and solutions through pre-competed, multiple award contract vehicles.

NITAAC operates at the contract vehicle level, providing agencies with pre-awarded contract vehicles that can be used during the acquisition planning and solicitation stages. Federal agencies across the government use NITAAC contracts to purchase IT products and services, while contractors awarded a position on a NITAAC GWAC compete for task orders issued under those contracts.

Key Characteristics of NITAAC

Authorized federal executive agent for IT procurement

Administers three Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs)

Focused exclusively on information technology acquisitions

Supports civilian and defense federal agencies

Uses multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract structures

For example, if a federal agency needs cybersecurity services or cloud infrastructure support, it can issue a task order under one of NITAAC's GWACs rather than conducting a full open market competition — improving speed, compliance, and administrative efficiency.

Regulatory Framework

NITAAC operates within the framework of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Its authority as an executive agent is granted by the Office of Management and Budget under policies governing Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts. NITAAC GWACs follow:

FAR Subpart 16.5, which governs indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts

OMB policies governing GWAC executive agent authority

FAR task order competition requirements for multiple award contracts

Why NITAAC Matters for Contractors

Being awarded a spot on a NITAAC GWAC provides access to governmentwide task order opportunities, significantly expanding a contractor's federal market reach. NITAAC contracts are often used for high-value IT procurements, positioning contractors as trusted providers of enterprise-level technology solutions. Key considerations include:

Contractors must comply with all FAR requirements, task order competition rules, and reporting obligations associated with GWAC participation

Competition occurs at the task order level — simply holding a GWAC award does not guarantee revenue

Contractors must actively pursue and win individual task orders to generate business

Common Misconceptions About NITAAC

NITAAC only supports the National Institutes of Health.

Its GWACs are available to all federal agencies across the government.

NITAAC contracts are only for large businesses.

Small business set-aside GWACs are also available under NITAAC.

A GWAC award guarantees work.

Contractors must still compete for individual task orders issued under the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of contracts does NITAAC administer?

NITAAC administers three Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts that cover IT services, solutions, and commodity products.

Who can use NITAAC contracts?

Any federal agency may use NITAAC GWACs for IT acquisitions.

How does a contractor get on a NITAAC contract?

Contractors must compete during an open solicitation period and meet the technical, past performance, and compliance requirements outlined in the solicitation.

Are NITAAC contracts limited to certain IT categories?

They primarily cover enterprise IT services, software, hardware, cybersecurity, cloud, and related technology solutions.