By Shelia Watson

The U.S. General Services Administration has awarded a contract to the South Carolina Research Authority for information technology services.

The General Services Administration provides a centralized source for federal governmental agencies to obtain a variety of information technology services from vendors across the country at most-favored customer prices.

The system allows access to a broad range of services under a pre-competed award method. Typical services include program management, operations and maintenance, and engineering.

With offices in Charleston, Columbia and Anderson, SCRA collaborates with other organizations throughout the state and in other parts of the country to advance technology through applied research and commercialization of research projects. SCRA works in partnership with the state’s three research universities – Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina – to provide technology-based solutions for industry and government.

“This is a real accomplishment,” said Bill Mahoney, president and CEO of SCRA. “What is means is that our IT services are qualified on the GSA schedule, which gives a certain ‘stamp of approval’ for government agencies. When you’re on this schedule, it makes you a preferred vendor. Your pricing is pre-approved and you’re listed as an organization that can provide quality work.

“It’s another validation that we’re a world class provider of IT services.”

The contract has a base period of five years beginning Sept. 15, 2007, with three additional five-year option periods.