MAPS Contract Guide: Key Insights for IT and Professional Services Businesses

MAPS is a new Multiple Award Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract designed to provide streamlined access to professional services for Army customers, Program Executive OfficeS (PEOs), DoD agencies, and other federal agencies. This contract vehicle combines the ACC-APG’s Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (RS3) and the CHESS’ Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – 3 Services (ITES-3S) contract vehicles. The estimated value of MAPS is $50 billion, presenting a significant opportunity for businesses in these fields to benefit and deliver quality services to various agencies.

The services include a variety of information technology (IT) and engineering services ranging from technical services like engineering, manufacturing readiness, to research, development, testing, cybersecurity, cloud services, helpdesk services, and more. MAPS will be the Army’s single source for professional services, while providing multiple North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes to ensure acquisition categories best align with requirements. The new contract also aligns with the Army’s ongoing digital transformation and efforts to implement Agile throughout the acquisition process.

The second draft of the much-talked-about MAPS was released on 13th December 2024. This blog is based on the latest draft and highlights its key components, how to prepare, and what to prepare for.

Download Now: MAPS Masterclass Webinar Resources

Latest Updates:

April 22, 2026:

Proposal Due Date Extended and Amendment #3 Issued

The Contracting Office has released Amendment 0003 to the MAPS Solicitation (W15P7T26RA006), along with updated solicitation documents and attachments.

Timeline Update:

• Proposal Submission Deadline Extended: May 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
• Q&A Responses Expected: By April 24, 2026

Key Updates Included in Amendment #3:

• Release of:
  • Summary of key changes
  • Amended solicitation document
  • All updated attachments

Updated Proposal Instructions:

• Small Business, Emerging Large Business, and Large Business Offerors must use Attachment 0002 – Amendment 03
• Commercial-Sector Vendor Offerors must use Attachment 0002 – Amendment 02
• All Offerors must submit Attachment 0003 – Amendment 03, unless the Qualifying Project (QP) is LOE-based, in which case Amendment 02 may be used

This amendment introduces updated submission requirements and extends the proposal timeline, making it critical for offerors to review and align with the latest versions of all solicitation documents and attachments.

April 16, 2026:

Clarification on Qualifying Project Form (Attachment 0003 AMD 02)

The Contracting Office has issued a clarification regarding Attachment 0003 (Amendment 02) – Qualifying Project Form for the MAPS solicitation.

According to the update, some offerors have reported a functionality issue when printing the form to PDF, specifically related to checkbox fields in:

• Item 003
• Item 021

The Government has reviewed the issue and confirmed that it is not affecting all offerors.

Key Clarification:

• Offerors who have not experienced the issue, or who were able to proceed using a workaround, are not required to use a revised version of the form for submission

This update serves as a technical clarification rather than a formal solicitation change, and does not impact submission requirements or timelines.

Contractors should ensure their submitted forms are complete and accurate, regardless of the version used.

April 14, 2026:

The agency has issued an update regarding Attachment 0003 AMD 02 – Qualifying Project Form. They received questions related to the wrapped text functionality in Part 2, and the issue has now been resolved. The corrected version is available in the Attachment/Links section of the posting.

April 9, 2026:

Amendment #2 Issued with Updated Solicitation Documents and Attachments

A new modified solicitation notice has been posted on SAM.gov as a related notice for the Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS) opportunity.

The notice announces the issuance of Amendment 0002 to the MAPS Solicitation, Solicitation No. W15P7T26RA006. According to the update, the following documents have been revised and reissued for industry review:

• Summary of key changes
• Amended solicitation document
• All amended attachments

Contractors pursuing MAPS should review the amended solicitation package carefully to identify any updates to proposal instructions, evaluation criteria, or required attachments before submission.

April 7, 2026:

Amendment #1 Issued to Refine Final RFP Instructions

The Contracting Office released Amendment #1 to the final MAPS solicitation on April 7, 2026. The amendment updates Section L – Instructions to Offerors, Section M – Evaluation Factors, Attachment 0001 – Cover Letter, and Attachment 0002 – Scorecards.

According to the update, the purpose of the amendment is to revise proposal instructions and evaluation-related details, including updating information to reflect the CPARS date being three years prior to May 1, 2026, as well as CUI-related supporting documentation submission requirements.

Importantly, the amendment does not change the current solicitation timeline:

• Questions Due: April 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
• Proposal Submission Due: May 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

This update appears to be a refinement amendment rather than a major structural change, meaning offerors should carefully review the revised instructions, cover letter, and scorecards to ensure proposal compliance under the final RFP.

April 1, 2026:

Final MAPS RFP Released

On April 1, 2026, the U.S. Army released the final Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS) contract vehicle.

• Proposal Deadline: May 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
• Solicitation Status: Final RFP issued (no further draft iterations expected)
• Official Listing: Available on SAM.gov

What Changed in This Update

This update marks the official transition from draft RFP to final solicitation, confirming that:

• The Army has incorporated feedback from prior draft releases
• All sections, including evaluation criteria and submission instructions, are now finalized
• Contractors now have a fixed proposal window leading up to the May 1 deadline

Why This Matters

With the final RFP now released, MAPS has moved into the active proposal submission phase, where:

• All proposal requirements are locked in
• Contractors must align fully with finalized instructions and evaluation criteria

March 30, 2026:

MAPS Solicitation Is Now Live

The Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS) solicitation is officially live, marking the shift from draft analysis to full proposal execution.

While the final release closely mirrors Draft 6, the most significant development is the compression of the timeline.

Key Dates to Know

• Questions Due: April 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
• Proposal Submission Deadline: May 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

March 27, 2026:

Final Draft 6 Released with Clarifications

The Contracting Office has released a modification confirming the Final (6th) Draft of the MAPS RFP, providing additional clarification and expanded language ahead of the anticipated Final RFP release. This update builds on prior industry feedback and recent draft iterations, signaling continued refinement of the solicitation rather than a structural change.

Key Highlights:

• Final Draft 6 released (March 27, 2026) with updated and clarified RFP language
• Expanded guidance provided around:
  • Joint Ventures (JVs)
  • Emerging Large Businesses and their role within the acquisition
• The update reflects ongoing incorporation of industry feedback from prior drafts and engagement sessions

Timeline Status

• The schedule for the Final RFP remains on track for late March to early April 2026
• This aligns with prior Government indications of a near-term transition to the Final RFP phase

This update does not introduce major structural changes but provides important clarifications that will directly impact proposal strategy, particularly for joint ventures and companies transitioning into emerging large business categories.

Vendors should carefully review Draft 6 to ensure alignment with the latest eligibility, structuring, and positioning requirements ahead of the Final RFP release.

March 20, 2026

Acquisition Strategy Document Released

The Department of the Army has released a formal acquisition strategy and consolidation justification document for the MAPS program, providing additional clarity into how the contract vehicle will be structured and executed.

While the consolidation of RS3 and ITES-3S into MAPS was previously indicated, this update provides the official written determination and supporting rationale behind that strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• The consolidation has been formally determined to be “necessary and justified” based on completed market research
• The strategy is expected to:
  • Reduce overall procurement and administrative costs
  • Eliminate duplicative contract vehicles and management overhead
  • Improve operational efficiency and mission performance
• The document outlines both quantifiable and non-quantifiable benefits, reinforcing the long-term value of a unified contract vehicle

This update does not introduce new requirements but provides greater transparency into the Government’s acquisition approach, confirming that MAPS is being structured as a single, integrated replacement for multiple legacy vehicles.

Vendors should interpret this as a strong signal that the Government’s consolidation strategy is now fully validated and moving forward with defined intent.

March 10, 2026

MAPS RFP Draft 5, Virtual Listening Session & Survey!

The MAPS RFP Draft 5 has been released, following a thorough review of industry feedback. This updated draft reflects refined acquisition criteria designed to better align with industry needs and expectations.

To help stakeholders better understand the latest updates, a Virtual Listening Session will be held on Thursday, March 12th, at 1:00 PM EST. During this session, the contracting team will walk through the new draft, explain the changes, and clarify the reasoning behind them. You can join the session via the link provided in the SAM posting.

In addition, the Government is requesting your input through a survey that will play a key role in shaping the Final RFP. Your feedback is essential to ensure the RFP aligns with the needs of the industry, so please take the time to answer the survey questions thoroughly.

For more information and to access the survey and session link, visit: MAPS RFP Draft 5, Virtual Listening Session & Survey!

February 4, 2026

Requirements Revisions and Timeline Changes

The U.S. Army has issued another update to the Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS) solicitation, confirming additional requirement revisions and a further shift in the acquisition timeline. Officials indicated that the solicitation remains under active review as they evaluate extensive industry feedback and revise RFP language.

This marks another pause in the MAPS acquisition, which has experienced multiple start-and-stop adjustments since its initial release.

Timeline Update

During the January 28, 2026, Industry Day, the Government stated that the final solicitation would be released on February 2, 2026, with proposals due by March 4, 2026. According to a February 1 SAM.gov notice update, those dates are no longer valid.

The Government now intends to:

• Release another Draft RFP
• Follow with the Final RFP
• Provide an updated acquisition timeline

All actions are expected to occur within the current quarter.

Officials cited the volume and substance of industry engagement as a key driver for the delay, noting that they received several hundred questions during Industry Day, in addition to written responses submitted following the mid-January Draft RFP release.

Proposed Requirement Revisions Under Review

The Contracting Office confirmed that multiple revisions are forthcoming, though final language has not yet been issued. Areas identified for refinement include:

Emerging Large Businesses:

The Government plans to revise language related to the inclusion and eligibility criteria for Emerging Large Businesses. Officials indicated that revisions may account for contractor growth over the life of the 10-year, $50B contract.

Qualifying Projects (QP) and Subcontractor Experience:

The Government is reconsidering current restrictions on Qualifying Projects. Under the existing Draft RFP, offerors may not use subcontractor experience. Officials indicated this requirement is under review and may be revised.

Current Draft QP criteria include:

• Single contract or task order (prime or commercial)
• Minimum $2.5M value
• At least one year of performance
• Period of performance ending no more than four years prior to final solicitation
• NAICS alignment with the applicable MAPS Domain

Off-Ramp Criteria

Officials are refining off-ramp provisions. The current Draft RFP requires vendors to bid on at least 50% of opportunities within their awarded Domain, with additional off-ramp triggers including contractor-caused cost overruns and vacancy rates. These provisions are expected to be clarified or restructured.

Commercial-Sector Vendor Requirements

Outcome-based service requirements for Commercial-Sector Vendors are also under review. These vendors, which have not performed federal contracts or subcontracts within the last four years, will continue to compete alongside large and small businesses. The Government intends to award 10 Commercial-Sector vendors per Domain.

While these changes remain preliminary, they indicate the Government is actively adjusting the MAPS framework in response to industry feedback.

Vendors should continue monitoring upcoming Draft RFP releases and prepare for further engagement opportunities as the solicitation evolves.

February 1, 2026

Post-Industry Day Signals & Timeline Shift

Following recent MAPS Industry Day discussions, the Government has formally acknowledged industry feedback and indicated that several meaningful refinements to the MAPS solicitation are under active consideration. While these changes are still preliminary, they signal a more flexible and performance-driven acquisition approach.

Preliminary Adjustments Under Consideration

The Government outlined potential updates in the following areas:

• Emerging Large Businesses: Introduction of defined inclusion criteria
• Subcontractor Experience: Certain offerors may be permitted to leverage subcontractor past performance for qualifying projects
• Outcome-Based Requirements: Additional refinements anticipated for Commercial-Sector vendors
• Off-Ramp Terms: Clarifications and structural adjustments expected

Although no final decisions have been issued, these early indicators suggest the MAPS framework may evolve to better reflect real-world performance and delivery models.

Timeline Update

The schedule previously shared during Industry Day is no longer valid. The Government now intends to:

• Release another Draft RFP
• Follow with the Final RFP
• Publish a revised acquisition timeline

All of the above actions are expected to occur within the current quarter.

Vendors are encouraged to closely monitor upcoming releases and prepare for additional opportunities to engage as the MAPS solicitation continues to mature.

January 23, 2026

The Contracting Office has officially released the updated MAPS Draft RFP (Draft 4), along with the supporting documents and Q&A link, all of which are now available for review.

Key Highlights:

• Questions/Comments Deadline: January 27, 2026, by 2:00 PM EST. All submissions will be addressed during the upcoming Industry Day/Industry Update.
• Planned Awards: Each domain will include a minimum of 50 awards, with allocations as follows:
  • 15 Large Businesses
  • 10 Commercial Sector Vendors
  • 25 Small Business Reserves, including:
    • 5 Small Business (SB)
    • 4 Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
    • 3 Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
    • 3 HUBZone Small Business
    • 5 Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
    • 5 8(a) Small Business
• Industry Day (In-Person) Notes:
  • The event is proceeding as scheduled, but weather conditions are being monitored.
  • Carpooling is strongly encouraged, and attendees should plan to arrive early due to potential delays at the security gate.
  • Pre-registration for gate access is recommended, in accordance with visitor guidelines.

Please begin reviewing Draft 4 and the newly released documents. All questions and comments must be submitted by the January 27 deadline for consolidation. Be sure to take part in the upcoming Industry Day to stay up-to-date with the latest developments.

December 19, 2025

Acquisition Proceeding with Industry Event on January 28, 2026

The U.S. Government has confirmed that the MAPS acquisition will proceed as planned! After thorough consideration, the Government has decided to move forward with the initiative, and an upcoming industry event is scheduled for January 28, 2026. This event will be held at no cost and is open to both industry professionals and government representatives.

Event Details:

• Date: January 28, 2026
• Participation: Both in-person and virtual options are available
• Registration: All attendees must register for participation, with in-person attendance limited to two representatives per company.
• Note: This event is in line with FAR 15.201 and is informational. It does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. Attendance is voluntary and does not impact any potential future solicitations.

For more information and to submit questions, please visit the following SAM.gov link.

We encourage all interested parties to register early and stay engaged with this important opportunity.

June 12, 2025

The Contracting Office has clarified that the MAPS initiative has not been cancelled. Instead, it is currently undergoing a period of “reflective delay”—a term used by the agency to indicate a strategic pause rather than a termination. No timeline has been provided for next steps or resolution. Jeannette Brush has been named the designated point of contact (POC) for any MAPS-related inquiries.

Vendors and stakeholders are advised to remain attentive for further updates, especially as this contract vehicle holds strategic significance for the acquisition of professional services across federal agencies.

March 26, 2025

MAPS Delayed Due to Executive Order Review
The U.S. Army has issued Update 8 regarding the Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS) contract vehicle.
In response to the recent Executive Order titled “Eliminating Waste and Saving Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Procurement,” the Army is currently reviewing the potential impacts of this policy on the MAPS initiative.

• As a result of this review, there will be a delay in both the Pre-Solicitation Meeting and the release of the Final Draft RFP.

What is Included in MAPS IDIQ?

MAPS covers a wide range of knowledge-based support services that include:

1. Technical Services: Engineering, logistics, manufacturing readiness, technology insertion, integration, and interoperability.
2. Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Services: Basic research, applied research, experimental/developmental research, modeling and simulation, prototyping and fabrication support, and exploratory research.
3. Management and Advisory Services: Acquisition and strategic planning, financial services, training services, education services, program management, quality assurance, and risk management.
4. High-Level IT Services: Intelligent Automation, cloud services, component framework, big data and analytics, quantum computing, business process reengineering, network/systems operation and maintenance, integration and consolidation, cybersecurity, and telecommunications.
5. Low-Level IT Services: Help desk support, independent verification and validation, IT supply chain management, IT management services, business process reengineering, network/systems operation and maintenance, and general IT services.

What Do You Need for Your MAPS Contract Submission?

Below is a table that explains the various documents and volumes to be included in the proposal package:

Here is a detailed explanation of these sections:

1. Cover Letter

• Point of Contact for Proposal:
• Domain(s) Proposed To: Clearly state the specific MAPS Domain(s) on which the Offeror is bidding.
• Company Name: The official name of the Offeror’s company.
• Business Size: The business size classification of the Offeror.
• CAGE and Parent CAGE Code: The Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code of the Offeror and any parent companies.

2. Gate Criteria

Offerors must complete Attachment 0001, “Gate Criteria Questions,” and provide all necessary supporting documentation with their proposal. The Gate Criteria will be used by the government to determine whether the proposal will be moved into the next stage by the agency. This includes:

• Active Secret Facility Clearance
• Active ISO 9001:2015 certification.
• CMMC Level 2 or higher certification.
• Government Approved Accounting System.
• Acceptable CPARS Ratings.

For small business offerors, in addition to the above, they must also submit the following:

• Documentation of their active Small Business Certification.
• Have a higher threshold for acceptable CPARS ratings.

3. Volume I – Systems, Rates, and Certifications

All the offerors who claim points on the scorecard for the Systems, Rates, and Certifications must provide proof in this volume.

Government Approved Systems and Rates:

Offerors must provide documentation to support any claims of government-approved systems or rates, including:

• Approved Purchasing System: Verification from DCMA or a Cognizant Federal Agency (CFA).
• Approved Rates: Verification of Forward Pricing Rate Agreements (FPRA), Forward Pricing Rate Recommendations (FPRR), and/or Approved Billing Rates from DCAA, DCMA, or a CFA.
• Approved Estimating System: Verification from DCAA, DCMA, or a CFA of an audited and accepted estimating system.
• Property Management System: Verification from DCMA or a CFA of an audited and accepted property management system.
• Earned Value Management System: Verification from DCMA or a CFA of an audited and accepted earned value management system.

Certifications:

Offerors must provide documentation for any certifications claimed beyond those required in Attachment 0001, such as:

• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 or higher.
• ISO/IEC 27001:2022.

4. Volume II – Past Performance

The agency will evaluate past performance factors using Qualifying Projects (QPs). Offerors can submit up to three distinct QPs for each domain, each meeting specific criteria:

• A single contract (prime, subcontract, or commercial), a Task Order under an IDIQ, BPA, or Basic Ordering Agreement, or a Task Order under a Federal Supply Schedule contract.
• Minimum total contract value of $2 million.
• At least one year of performance, but not over four years of the final proposal submission due date identified in the RFP.
• The NAICS code must be the same as one of the five NAICS codes aligned to the MAPS domains.

For each Qualifying Project, the following information must be provided:

• Specific contract/agreement number (subcontractors must submit a copy of the agreement).
• The dollar value of the contract
• NAICS code
• A brief description of the work performed and a mapping to the PWS to demonstrate relevance to the domain.
• Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 0002) if the QP is not in CPARS or has no specific NAICS code.

5. Volume III – Technical

Recruitment: Overview of processes for recruiting and hiring staff for specialized and non-specialized labor categories, addressing:

• How qualified candidates will be recruited?
• How key positions will be recruited and staffed?
• Timeline for recruiting and staffing positions.
• The number of recruiter positions staffed.
• Presence of a Human Resources department and its organizational structure.

Retention: Overview of processes for retaining employees, including:

• Explanation of how the company supports internal and professional development.
• Mentorship programs offered to employees.
• Specific processes used to retain employees.

Risk Management: Overview of policies and procedures for identifying, mitigating, and managing risks, including:

• Proactive risk management strategies
• Current Organizational Conflict of Interest plan.

6. Small Business Subcontracting Plan

This plan will only be required for the offerors that are Large Businesses concerns for any NAICS within the proposed domains.

Key Points for the Preparation of MAPS Contract

• The agency intends to make a total of 100 awards, 20 awards per domain. Each domain will have small business reserve requirements. According to the agency, “an offeror that is determined to be a responsible source, submits a technically acceptable proposal that conforms to the requirements of the solicitation, has one of the top 20 scores in the Domain”
• Gate criteria is mandatory, and the government will first assess all the responses to decide whether a proposal will be moved to the next level.
• In addition to the clearances, certifications, and systems, special focus has been placed on the CPARS Ratings for past performances. For large businesses, the Offeror will be excluded from evaluations if 40% or more of the element ratings are MARGINAL or below. For small businesses, if 60% or more of the element ratings are MARGINAL or below, the offeror will be excluded from evaluations.
• The government has detailed how the systems, certifications, past performances, technical volumes, and other factors will be rated.
• For past performances, offerors will get points based on their relevance to the technical capabilities under the domain they are proposing. NAICS alignment, recency, and performance quality will also be points that an offeror can get.

The initial drafts on the MAPS IDIQ clearly indicate that the agency is looking to secure services from contractors who have approved systems, secure data protocols, and good past performance. Contractors looking to bid for this IDIQ must ensure they can satisfy all the criteria listed in the gate criteria questions and have valid proof. To provide proof of past performances, contractors need to get their CPARS or any other documentation that will suffice the need. The government is also looking at contractors with clear organizational structures, recruitment, and retention plans and can provide clear risk mitigation strategies.

Regarding MAPS, Danielle Moyer, executive director of ACC-APG, said, “The creation of MAPS is a great example of the government seeing the potential to bring efficiencies together and communicating its ideas to our industry partners early. Over the last four months, we sought out and read hundreds of responses from industry, which confirmed our thoughts. Reducing duplication of effort, while saving the government and industry both time and money, made this decision a no-brainer.”

Going after MAPS can be complex and time-consuming, especially for small businesses. Our team here at iQuasar simplifies the process for you. We have successfully supported small businesses bidding for complex contract vehicles such as SEWP VI, OASIS+, PACTS III, Polaris, and other IDIQs and GWACs. We are constantly tracking updates to these contract vehicles. Our team of experts will supervise the entire process by helping you evaluate your eligibility, increase your readiness levels, prepare a custom-made proposal development strategy to your firm’s unique requirements, and create a high-quality and compliant response to help you win. Please feel free to contact us to find out more.