Veteran’s Day
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Federal agencies spend billions each year on IT services. A growing share of that money moves through Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), which are pre-competed vehicles that let any agency place task orders quickly with a vetted pool of contractors. For small IT firms, getting onto a GWAC, or partnering with a company that has, can be the difference between chasing one-off opportunities and having a steady pipeline.
This course looks at Polaris, GSA’s small business GWAC for customized IT services and IT services-based solutions. Polaris is GSA’s successor to the cancelled Alliant 2 Small Business contract. It is built around four socioeconomic pools: Small Business (SB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), HUBZone, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Each pool lets agencies set aside task orders for that category of firm.
The course gives particular attention to the WOSB pool, which received its first awards in 2026 and is one of the newest set-aside vehicles in federal IT. Participants will learn how Polaris works and who holds positions in each pool. They will also learn where the vehicle stands legally after a September 2026 court ruling, and how WOSBs and other small IT firms can benefit, whether or not they hold a Polaris contract.
Who Should Attend
Women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, and other small businesses that provide IT services
Firms considering a future GWAC on-ramp or a teaming or subcontracting role with current awardees
WOSB and EDWOSB-certified firms that want to put their certification to work in the federal IT market
Business development staff, capture managers, and owners new to GWACs
No prior GWAC experience is needed.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Explain what a GWAC is and how it differs from a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract and from agency-specific IDIQs
Describe the structure of Polaris, including its four pools, its 10-year term (five-year base plus five one-year options), and its IT services-only scope
Identify the current status of each pool: who has been awarded, how many firms, and what remains pending
Understand how the September 2026 Court of Federal Claims ruling affects new Polaris awards
Recognize the main NAICS code (541512, Computer Systems Design Services) and the size standard that applies
Find Polaris awardees and use that list for teaming, subcontracting, and market research
Judge whether pursuing a future Polaris on-ramp makes sense for their firm.
Date & Time
Web Conference Meeting: Wednesday, November 11, 2026; 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Registration
Click here to register now.
Fees
Registration fees are based on membership level. Members and non-members are welcome.
Fees for this meeting are as follows:
Complimentary: Supplier Members
$15: Business Members
$35:Advocate Members, Individual, and Non-Members
Complimentary: Government Agency and Large Prime Contractor Representatives (as approved by USWCC)
If you are not currently a Supplier or Business Member, consider joining here and then returning to this page to purchase your discounted registration.
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Join us at the Don Harrington Discovery Center every Wednesday at 10:30 am for a special storytime ~ featuring a very special trunk of wonders! Our weekly storytime will be located in a new and exciting spot in the Discovery Center for your littles to discover during your visit. Start your morning with a story and spend the rest of the day exploring our amazing exhibits! This program is included with admission or a Discovery Center Collective membership.
November 11, 2026
Veterans Day first began as Armistice Day to celebrate the ending of World War I. World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 (November 11, 1918, at 11:11 a.m.). Armistices Day first became a legal holiday in 1938; it was celebrated on November 11 each year. In 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all who serve and served in the military. In 1968 the holiday was moved to the fourth Monday of October for federal employees to have a three-day weekend celebrating four national holidays that fell on Mondays, including Veterans Day. The first observance of the new date was in 1971; many states objected to the change and did not recognize the new date. In 1975 the observance date was changed back to November 11 with the first holiday on the new (November 11) date observed in 1978. If November 11 falls on a weekend, the holiday is observed the following Monday. While Veterans Day honors all service members, Memorial Day honors service members who lost their life in service to their country. On Veterans Day, the US flag remains at full staff.
The Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center will host our 27th annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11 beginning at 11 a.m. at the War Memorial, 4111 S. Georgia. Our program will include an invocation, presentation of colors, pledge of allegiance, national anthem, a flyover by the Panhandle Warbird Flight, salute to the services, and more. Our guest speaker is Mendell Sshelin, United States Army Vietnam Veteran and TPWM board treasurer.
The Veterans Day Ceremony is open to the public and all are encouraged to come by The Texas Panhandle War Memorial.
The Veterans Day Ceremon
3:30 p.m.
7426 Pennsylvania Drive, Suite 100
New Member / Grand Opening
More Information: Rachel, (806) 318-7115
Chamber Event: Business After Hours at Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center with co-host Project Control
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
720 S Tyler
Free Networking Event
More Information: Mary, (806) 342-2009
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Every Thursday evening from 6pm until 9pm, the “Food Truck Rally” assembles at the TPWM parking lot for an evening of great food, music, and fun. It is a good time to come out and get some of your favorite foods and enjoy the evening in the park. The end of the season is approaching fast so come out and support those who support the Texas Panhandle War Memorial.
