Didn’t Win OASIS+? Here’s Why You Still Have a Shot (and What to Do Next)
If your firm didn’t snag a spot in GSA’s latest OASIS+ award round, don’t panic. October’s expansion added 118 new primes, but more importantly, it kicked the door wide open for subcontractors and future entrants. Whether you’re an 8(a) small business, WOSB, SDVOSB, or a niche vendor with deep past performance, there are still plenty of paths to OASIS+ participation. But it’ll take strategy, persistence, and a polished game plan.
Let’s break down what happened and why it matters.
What’s New with OASIS+: A Quick Recap
In October 2025, GSA announced another batch of 118 OASIS+ prime awards. Of these, 106 were awarded to small businesses across five set-aside pools, including 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, and women-owned small business certification holders. That brings the total number of small business primes to over 3,300. In short, the bench just got deeper.
This phase also reinforced which NAICS codes are driving demand. Awards were heavily concentrated in domains like:
Management & Advisory Services (NAICS 541611)
Technical & Engineering (NAICS 541330, 541715)
Program and Acquisition Support
Meanwhile, fewer awards landed in Environmental, R&D, and Intelligence, which might signal opportunities for niche firms to fill capability gaps as subcontractors.
Why It Matters for Small Businesses
For most government contracting businesses, being left off the OASIS+ award list feels like missing the bus. But thanks to GSA’s continuous on-ramping model, it’s more like missing a shuttle, another one’s coming soon.
Here’s why small businesses should stay in the game:
OASIS+ on-ramp windows are recurring. GSA plans to reopen submissions as early as late FY2025, with rolling evaluations continuing through 2026.
Subcontracting opportunities are already taking off. New primes, especially those holding unrestricted awards, are actively building teams to fill technical, geographic, and socio-economic gaps.
Socio-economic certifications are in high demand. If your firm holds SBA 8a certification, disabled veteran small business certification, or women owned small business certification, you’re already ahead in the teaming game.
Past performance as a sub counts. Supporting a prime now can help you build the credentials needed for the next on-ramp.
Translation: There’s no time to waste.
Action Steps: How to Stay in the Fight
Here’s your post-award playbook to stay competitive and visible in the OASIS+ ecosystem:
Identify your target primes. Download the latest awardee list from GSA. Filter by domain, NAICS code, and agency focus to identify 10–15 prime contractors whose gaps you can fill.
Tailor your capability statement. Emphasize OASIS+ service domains, relevant NAICS code for government contractors, and socio-economic status. Primes are looking for partners who speak their language and help meet their small business subcontracting goals.
Get visible in all the right places. Register in each prime’s supplier portal. Update your SAM.gov and DSBS profiles to reflect your latest capabilities, certifications, and performance history. Be sure to mention services like Government Contract Proposal Writing, 8a contracts services, or Grant Writing for Nonprofits if applicable, many primes scan by keyword.
Initiate contact, don’t wait. Reach out directly to the small business liaison or teaming coordinator at target primes. Be specific about how you complement their capabilities, whether it’s cybersecurity under SDVOSB, logistics as a HUBZone, or transition planning under WOSB.
Start building past performance now. Even a single task order as a subcontractor can make your next OASIS+ proposal stronger. Ask current primes if they need niche expertise, cleared personnel, or regional coverage.
Get ready for the next on-ramp. GSA’s self-scoring system rewards firms that keep their paperwork and credentials sharp. Address any gaps now, whether it’s certifications, financial system readiness, or missing project narratives.
Big Picture: OASIS+ Is a Long Game, Play It Smart
GSA designed OASIS+ to be flexible, competitive, and constantly evolving. If you didn’t win this round, that doesn’t mean you're out. Think of this vehicle less like a one-time RFP and more like a perpetual tournament. Your job? Stay ready and visible.
The real opportunity here is in the teaming ecosystem. As primes ramp up to bid on actual task orders, they’ll be scrambling for subs who bring clear value. If your firm specializes in something hard to find, like energy-efficient retrofits, cleared R&D talent, or grant support for federal programs, make yourself known.
And if your long game includes submitting for the next on-ramp? Even better. Keep your files up to date, polish your self-scoring worksheet, and start documenting every win, even as a sub. That way, when the window opens, you’ll be ready to hit send.
Looking for more strategies to strengthen your federal contracting pipeline? Check out our post on Court Blocks Shutdown of MBDA, IMLS, FMCS: What It Means for Your Contracting Support Pipeline for tips on staying competitive year-round.
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