CIO-SP3 Small Business
CIO-SP3 Small Business is the predecessor small-business GWAC to CIO-SP4, still actively used for task orders as agencies transition their requirements to the newer vehicle on their own schedules.
- Managed by
- NITAAC (National Institutes of Health)
- Ceiling
- Multi-billion government-wide IT
- Scope
- IT services and solutions for small businesses, including health IT, cybersecurity, and imaging
- Period of performance
- 10-year ordering period, legacy vehicle winding toward CIO-SP4 transition
Key takeaways
- Vehicle access is a market position, not a contract — task orders are where revenue happens.
- Read the ordering guide before bidding a task order; format and evaluation rules differ from open-market RFPs.
- Fair-opportunity task orders move fast, often with 10 to 15 day response windows.
- Track on-ramp windows well in advance; they open rarely and close quickly.
How work is ordered
Task orders are issued through NITAAC's ordering system to the closed pool of small business holders, competed within relevant task areas under fair opportunity.
Getting on the vehicle
The holder pool is closed with no further on-ramps; the practical route in for small businesses now is CIO-SP4's small business track rather than CIO-SP3 itself.
Winning task orders
If you already hold CIO-SP3 SB, keep bidding it actively while it remains funded — many agencies will run task orders on legacy vehicles for years after a successor GWAC is available, and abandoning the older vehicle early leaves revenue on the table.
FAQ
Is CIO-SP3 SB still active?
Yes, existing task orders and new orders continue until the vehicle's ordering period closes.
Can I still get on CIO-SP3 SB?
No, the pool is closed; new small business entrants should pursue CIO-SP4.
Does CIO-SP4 replace it entirely?
Over time, yes, as agencies migrate recurring requirements to the newer contract.
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