Multiple Award Contract(MAC)
A contract awarded to multiple vendors for similar supplies or services, allowing the government to compete individual orders among the holders.
Overview
A Multiple Award Contract (MAC) is a contract vehicle under which the government awards contracts to two or more vendors for the same or similar scope. When the government has a need, it competes a task order or delivery order among the MAC holders rather than conducting a new full and open competition. MACs are a subset of IDIQ contracts.
Why It Matters in GovCon
MACs dominate federal procurement for services and IT. Winning a MAC position gives you the right to compete for orders; the real revenue comes from winning those orders. Understanding the MAC structure — fair opportunity, scope, and ordering procedures — is essential for capture and proposal strategy.
Key Details
- Fair Opportunity: With limited exceptions, all MAC holders must receive a fair opportunity to compete for each order.
- Scope: Orders must fall within the scope of the underlying contract.
- Examples: GSA OASIS, NIH CIO-SP3, NASA SEWP, and many agency-specific IDIQs.
- Protest: Task order protests to GAO are limited by dollar thresholds.
How GovCon Data Can Help
GovCon Data tracks MAC task order solicitations and helps you identify opportunities under your contract vehicles. Filter by contract name, NAICS, or agency to build a pipeline of order-level competitions.
Related Terms
- Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
- Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC)
- Fair Opportunity
- Task Order
More Contracts Terms
A simplified method of filling anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services by establishing charge accounts with qualified vendors.
A numbered item in a contract that identifies a specific deliverable, service, or unit of work along with its quantity and price.
A contract type where the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit.
An order placed against an existing contract for the delivery of supplies or materials.
A contract type where the price is set at award and does not change regardless of the contractor's actual costs, placing maximum risk on the contractor.
Long-term government-wide contracts with commercial firms that provide federal agencies access to products and services at pre-negotiated prices.
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