How to Master MAPS and Secure This $50B Bid

The U.S. federal procurement landscape is about to see significant growth with the upcoming Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS), estimated at an impressive $50B. With the Army Materiel Command’s (AMC) Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) leading this initiative, this opportunity focuses on a broad range of professional services that are central to Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) missions.

MAPS Background

The MAPS request for proposal (RFP) combines two mega contracts:

• Information Technology Enterprise Solutions 3—Services (ITES-3S): a $12.1B contract with full, open, and small business set-asides. ITES-3S provides a wide range of IT support services for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Information Management (C4IM). The top five contractors out of a field of 135 contracts on ITES-3S are SAIC, IBM, Agile Defense, Peraton, and Business Mission Edge, LLC.
• Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (RS3) The $37.4B contract focused on providing support in acquisition and strategic planning; education and training; logistics; engineering; and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E). The top five contractors out of a field of 261 on RS3 are MAG Defense Services, CACI, Leidos, General Dynamics, and BAH.

Key Details of the MAPS Procurement

Currently in the pre-RFP stage, MAPS is estimated to be released in February 2025, with an anticipated award date in May 2027, as the ITES-3S and RS3 end. The work will be performed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, in addition to other CONUS and OCONUS sites. The primary NAICS code is 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.

Scope of Work

The scope encompasses comprehensive knowledge-based professional services, including:

• Technical services to bolster mission-critical systems
• Research and development aimed at pioneering advancements
• Management and advisory services for strategic oversight
• High- and low-level IT services essential for system operations

Industry Engagement and Analyst Updates

On October 28, 2024, the contracting office released an update to notify vendors that the November 8, 2024, Industry Day time and venue will be changed due to the overwhelming response from interested parties, and in-person and virtual registration options will be provided. So, stay tuned for updates.

Competitive Landscape

While the exact number of awards remains undetermined, the competitive field is robust, with 57 contractors achieving Deltek GovWin’s Smart Fit Score above 70, indicating high relevance. Companies eyeing this opportunity should anticipate fierce competition and the need to distinguish themselves through comprehensive and compliant proposals demonstrating superior technical capabilities and past performance at a competitive price.

To position themselves effectively, bidders should:

• Develop a strong network of partners to harness specialized expertise
• Showcase proven past performance on similar large-scale IDIQs to strengthen credibility
• Remain actively informed through contracting updates and events to stay aligned with procurement timelines and evolving requirements

Conclusion

With its estimated $50B value and wide-reaching scope, the MAPS procurement presents a transformative opportunity for industry leaders to secure a pivotal role in advancing the Army’s technological and operational capabilities. Staying informed and preparing proactive, compliant proposals will be essential to succeed in this competitive landscape.

For bidders seeking to navigate the intricacies of this substantial opportunity, Lohfeld Consulting provides strategic positioning, capture, proposal management, proposal writing, and graphics support.

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By Brenda Crist, Vice President at Lohfeld Consulting Group, MPA, CPP APMP Fellow

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals. As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $170B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at www.lohfeldconsulting.com and join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube^(TM).