Editor's Note: The Alliant Small Business procurement questions and answers were published this week at FedBizOpps and the due date for proposals remains November 17, 2006. If anything, the answers to the questions made it absolutely clear that GSA is not relaxing any of its original requirements.

Somewhat like CNN, we are providing a list of the most frequent questions we are asked concerning the Alliant Small Business procurement. Our responses are provided in reverse order in terms of the frequency in which the questions arise.

(10) How did GSA arrive at the estimated contract amount of $15 billion over 10 years?

Answer: We presume GSA made an educated guess based on current and projected GSA Schedule expenditures, Government-wide Acquisition Contract expenditures and information technology budget amounts.

(9) Assuming that GSA eventually awards approximately forty (40) Alliant contracts, a company which receives an award would average $38 million per year (using straight-line averaging) in contract revenue. If the foregoing were true, wouldn't the average Alliant contract holder become a large business within a year or two of winning the award?

Answer: Yes, but isn't this the type of problem most businesses would welcome with open arms? But straight-line averaging can be deceiving because annual contract amounts are likely to be the largest in later years as the contract gains momentum.

(8) Why did GSA specify such stringent accounting system and secure facility requirements?

Answer: GSA is clearly catering to the Department of Defense (DOD) as DOD is GSA's largest customer. GSA's source of funding is decreasing due to a downturn in DOD business.

(7) Will GSA remove the accounting system and secure facility requirements when it addresses the questions that arose as a result of the web cast?

Answer: No (See answer to Question 8).

(6) Why are my e-mail messages to prospective joint venture partners being ignored?

Answer: Everyone wants to join but few want to lead. Existing DOD contractors that are able to meet GSA's stringent accounting system and secure facility requirements most likely don't need to bid as a joint venture and those large, small businesses that are leading a joint venture found partners months ago.

(5) How do I find a joint venture to join?

Answer: Use the telephone, not e-mail. Go to the interested vendor list at the GSA Alliant Small Business web site and just keep dialing.

(4) Can we still get a proposal done by the November 17 due date if we are just getting started?

Answer: Yes, if you are bidding alone or have already selected your joint venture partners. Doing so will require intense focus and the tough part will be the Basic Contract Plan. Of course, we have a solution if your Basic Contract Plan is not written.

(3) Will GSA modify the Request for Proposal based on the questions raised during the web cast?

Answer: GSA modified the Request for Proposal slightly but just to clarify issues. No substantive changes were made to the RFP.

(2) Isn't GSA making it clear that they want companies or joint ventures with a wide range of information technology experience?

Answer: Yes.

(1) Why so much interest in Alliant Small Business?

Answer: $15 billion