Best-in-Class Solution (BIC) is a government-wide designation used to identify acquisition solutions that offer optimal performance, pricing, and compliance across federal agencies. Managed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), BIC solutions represent vetted, preferred government-wide vehicles that meet rigorous standards in terms of category management, spend under management (SUM), and strategic sourcing.
In the GSA ecosystem, BIC solutions are crucial tools for advancing procurement efficiency, reducing redundancy, and aligning agency spending with federal-wide acquisition goals. These contracts are not only trusted and cost-effective, but also designed to simplify acquisition and maximize the return on taxpayer dollars.
Purpose and Strategic Role of BIC Solutions
The BIC designation was introduced as part of the federal government’s broader effort to implement Category Management, an approach that enables smarter, more centralized purchasing by grouping similar products and services into categories.
The primary goals of BIC solutions include:
- Consolidating duplicative contracts across agencies
- Driving government-wide adoption of high-performing acquisition vehicles
- Reducing administrative burden through streamlined procurement processes
- Improving mission delivery through rapid, compliant access to vetted suppliers
- Supporting socio-economic policy goals, including small business participation
Agencies are encouraged—and in many cases required—to prioritize BIC solutions when planning their procurements in high-spend categories such as IT, professional services, facilities, security, and office management.
Characteristics of a BIC Solution
To qualify as Best-in-Class, an acquisition vehicle must meet stringent criteria set forth by OMB. These criteria include:
- Government-Wide Use: The contract must be accessible to all federal agencies.
- Strong Performance Metrics: Demonstrated value in terms of cost savings, customer satisfaction, and supplier performance.
- Contract Management Maturity: The managing agency must exhibit high standards of data reporting, oversight, and continuous improvement.
- Spend Under Management (SUM): BIC contracts must fall under Tier 3—the highest SUM tier—representing fully mature category management practices.
- Data Transparency: Regular, accurate reporting of pricing, usage, and performance metrics.
These standards ensure that BIC solutions are not just convenient, but also strategic, measurable, and results-driven.
GSA’s Portfolio of BIC Solutions
As a leader in federal acquisition, GSA manages a number of contract vehicles that have received the BIC designation. Some of the most prominent include:
- GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) – The consolidated Schedule that provides access to over 11 million commercial products and services.
- Alliant 2 and Alliant 2 Small Business – Government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) for complex IT services and solutions.
- 8(a) STARS III – A GWAC designed to support small, disadvantaged businesses in the IT sector.
- OASIS and OASIS Small Business – Contracts for complex professional services such as program management, engineering, and scientific research.
- VETS 2 – A GWAC supporting veteran-owned small businesses in the IT services space.
These vehicles have been designated BIC not only for their efficiency and reach, but also for their strategic alignment with federal procurement objectives.
Benefits of Using BIC Solutions
For acquisition professionals, using a BIC solution provides multiple advantages:
- Time and Cost Savings: Pre-vetted vendors, negotiated pricing, and streamlined procurement processes reduce acquisition lead time and administrative overhead.
- Reduced Risk: BIC contracts comply with all federal acquisition regulations and policy requirements, minimizing compliance issues.
- Market Visibility: Agencies gain access to rich supplier data, past performance information, and contract usage analytics.
- Support for Small Business Goals: Many BIC solutions integrate socio-economic set-asides and goals, supporting diversity in government contracting.
- Scalability and Flexibility: These contracts often support a wide range of procurement sizes, from small task orders to enterprise-wide solutions.
Compliance and Reporting
Federal agencies are increasingly evaluated based on how much of their procurement activity falls under Spend Under Management (SUM). Using BIC solutions helps agencies reach Tier 3 SUM, which is the highest level and indicates mature category management practices.
OMB tracks agency performance and publishes reports on BIC utilization, incentivizing procurement offices to align with strategic sourcing practices.
Conclusion
Best-in-Class Solutions (BIC) are at the core of a modern, strategic federal procurement landscape. They enable agencies to acquire mission-critical goods and services with confidence, efficiency, and accountability. For contractors, being part of a BIC-designated vehicle opens access to high-demand opportunities across government. For agencies, choosing a BIC solution is not only smart procurement—it’s a step toward building a leaner, more effective government.
