AcquisitionAI Support
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here, you'll find answers to the most commonly asked questions about our products, services, and policies. Whether you're a new customer seeking information or a returning visitor looking for clarification, we're here to provide you with clear and comprehensive responses to ensure a smooth experience.
Contract Vehicles
How can I buy using Alliant 2?
GWACs are for information technology (IT) services and IT
services-based solutions. Ordering contracting officers may include
ancillary services and equipment on orders as long as the ancillary
support is integral and necessary for the IT services-based
solution. If you want to buy IT products or services only, MAS
Information Technology is the best contract vehicle.
How do I access the Alliant 2 contract?
Read the Alliant 2 Ordering Guide for helpful instructions on
how to use Alliant.
See Alliant
2 Ordering Guide.
Why should I use the VETS GWAC?
VETS 2 offers the unique opportunity to contract with highly
qualified service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses.
Using GWACs is a faster alternative to time-consuming and
costly full and open competitions. We also offer training
and customer service to help you with contracting rules and
regulations.
Where do I find guidance on using the VETS 2 contract?
Read the VETS 2 Ordering Guide for helpful instructions on how to
use VETS 2.
See VETS 2 Ordering Guide.
Where do I find guidance on using the 8(a) STARS III contract?
Read the 8(a) STARS III Ordering
Guide for helpful instructions on how to use 8(a) STARS III.
How do I order from the SEWP Contract?
When utilizing NASA SEWP contracts, there are two types of orders:
- Credit Card Orders (see NASA SEWP Micro-purchase/ Credit Card Orders)
- Delivery/Task Orders.
- For an end-user to determine a requirement, then Generate a PR through their Agency purchasing system.
- The PR, along with any necessary funding information, is sent to that Agency’s procurement office (or an assisted acquisition service such as the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)).
- Depending on the Agency’s processes, use either a Market Research Request (MRR) and/or an RFQ to obtain quotes and make a best-value selection.
Where do I find guidance on using the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract?
Read the GSA MAS Ordering
Guide for helpful instructions on how to use GSA MAS.
Using AcquisitionAI
What is Market Research?
According to FAR Part 10, acquisitions
begin with a description of the Government’s needs stated in terms
sufficient to allow conduct of market research. Market research is then
conducted to determine if commercial products, commercial services, or
nondevelopmental items are available to meet the Government’s needs or
could be modified to meet the Government’s needs.
In Step 1 - Prospective Requirement, is there guidance for drafting the Product/Service Description
Briefly describe what is being acquired. Include a description of
services or a general description of products being acquired.
In Step 4 -Market Analysis Report, is there guidance for drafting the Market Research Conducted section?
"List any market research conducted to include: Requests for Information
(RFIs) / Sources Sought notices; Individual correspondence with
potential sources; Industry days; Discussions with other buyers for
similar services.
Provide dates, responses, and summary/outcome of correspondence. If a
company expressed interest that was determined not to be capable of
fulfilling the requirements, be sure to clearly detail why the source
was not determined to be capable of meeting the requirements. "
In Step 4 -Market Analysis Report, is there guidance for drafting the Industry Capabilities section?
List of potential vendors and known sources of supply that could be
solicited to provide the service required. Include location, point of
contact information and an assessment of their potential capabilities to
meet our requirements. Conduct an assessment of each potential
supplier’s capacity to meet our requirements in terms of known schedule
needs. Identify as appropriate any past experience or related
experience relative to the service which may be used to identify
potential acquisition risks. Identify the number of sources contacted;
identify whether they were large business, small business,
small/disadvantaged business, Section 8A business, woman-owned business,
government/non-government. Summarize the information obtained from each
source contacted.
In Step 4 -Market Analysis Report, is there guidance for drafting the Commercial Opportunities section?
Guidance: Provide pertinent information that a contracting officer can
use to conduct an assessment as to whether the service meets the
definitions of FAR Part 2 in terms of commercial items or
non-developmental items which can be acquired using the streamlined
acquisition procedures under FAR Part 12.
In Step 4 -Market Analysis Report, is there guidance for drafting the Conclusions and Recommendations section?
Summarize your data analysis with recommendations for:
- Acquisition strategies to pursue (i.e. Small business set aside,
full & open, socioeconomic set aside)
- List of potential contract vehicles that already exist which may
be employed to satisfy your requirement
- Relevant risks to be considered as part of any source selection
activities for specific contract terms and conditions
What is AcquisitionAI?
"Acquisition officials within federal government agencies frequently
employ incomplete and unsystematic methods when seeking qualified
contractors. This includes identifying vendors at the forefront of
innovation and those owned by socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals for government solicitations. Despite the
availability of information about these vendors, it is often
dispersed across disparate systems that lack integration.
To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the identification
process for capable and innovative vendors, acquisition officials
need a systematic mechanism that has linked data from multiple
federal acquisition systems and uses traditional artificial
intelligence (AI). AcquisitionAI enables the seamless utilization of
multiple federal acquisition data sources to facilitate timely
decision-making. AcquisitionAI utilizes multiple traditional AI
methods, including robotic process automation (RPA), machine
learning (ML), and national language processing (NLP), which is
trained using historical data and agency-specific information on
government procurement.
The primary objective of this innovative tool is to assist
government agencies in identifying whether prospective vendors offer
needed products and/or services and have the capabilities to meet
specific, often intricate and technically challenging, procurement
requirements. By leveraging these sophisticated processes
acquisition officials can streamline their decision-making processes
and shorten the Procurement Administrative Lead Time (PALT). "
What is AcquisitionAI's AI disclaimer statement?
The information presented in these market analysis reports have been
generated using artificial intelligence algorithms and publicly
available information. AcquisitionAI strives to provide accurate and
reliable insights, it cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy or
completeness of the data. Users are advised to independently verify
the information and exercise their own judgment when making
decisions based on the reports generated by AcquisitionAI. The
platform should be used as a tool to aid decision-making, and any
actions taken based on the information provided are the sole
responsibility of the user. AcquisitionAI and its developers shall
not be held liable for any consequences arising from the use of this
platform or reliance on the generated reports. The information found
in the market analysis reports may be used to support acquisition
decisions. Further market research and vendor engagement may be
necessary. GenerativeAI was not used to create the information found
in these reports
What is the purpose of the sandbox application?
A sandbox environment utilized by government customers serves as a
controlled testing space for evaluating the integrity and
reliability of AcquisitionAI, a novel AI application designed to
streamline market research for federal government agencies. This
environment allows users to simulate real-world scenarios without
impacting live systems, ensuring that the AI application performs as
intended and meets specified requirements before deployment in
actual operational settings. The Executive Order on the Safe,
Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial
Intelligence emphasizes the importance of testing and validating AI
systems to ensure their reliability, safety, and effectiveness. By
using a sandbox environment, government customers can comply with
this order by conducting thorough assessments of AcquisitionAI to
verify its performance, security, and ethical considerations before
widespread implementation.
What are the data sources used?
AcquisitionAI uses data from multiple Federal acquisition data
systems and vendors' capability statements, including Federal
Procurement Data System, System for Awards Management, Dynamic Small
Business Search, GSA Supplier Base Database, General Services
Administration Multiple Award Schedules and GWACs, NASA SEWP, and
NIH NITAAC.
Who Created AcquisitionAI
What does Optimal Solutions Group do?
Optimal Solutions Group is a small firm based at the University of Maryland's Discovery District that focuses on conducting in-depth policy analysis of business performance, particularly in government contracting. Optimal leverages expertise in data science and AI applications to provide real-time decision-making tools for policymakers. Optimal's core strengths lie in interpreting complex data, identifying trends in government contracting, and developing innovative AI solutions that enable policymakers to make evidence-based decisions.
What does Revelo Software do?
Revelo Software is a cutting-edge technology company specializing in developing software applications tailored to tackle intricate data challenges commonly found in government programs and operations. Their product suite includes the Revelo platform, AcquisitionAI, CommentsAI, and iAccessible. These solutions are crafted to streamline data management, enhance operational efficiency, and offer advanced analytics capabilities to optimize decision-making processes within government entities.
How was the development of AcquisitionAI funded?
The Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) grant awarded to Optimal Solutions Group facilitated the development of AcquisitionAI, an AI application aimed at streamlining market research for federal government agencies. Optimal Solutions Group supplemented the grant with additional resources to fund the design work conducted by Professor Tim Oates, a computer science professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. This collaboration leveraged the MIPS grant and external expertise to drive the advancement of AcquisitionAI, enhancing its capabilities and readiness for deployment in government procurement processes.
