Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
Smithsonian Accepts First Lady Melania Trump's Inaugural Gown
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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Smithsonian Accepts First Lady Melania Trump's Inaugural Gown
Gift to First Ladies Collection Continues a Century-Old Tradition
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First Lady of the United States Melania Trump formally presented the gown she wore to the 2025 inaugural balls to the Smithsonian's First Ladies Collection, Friday, Feb. 20, during a ceremony at the National Museum of American History. The strapless off-white silk crepe gown trimmed with two bands of black silk gazar will be displayed at the center of the museum's popular
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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Smithsonian Accepts First Lady Melania Trump's Inaugural Gown
Gift to First Ladies Collection Continues a Century-Old Tradition
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First Lady of the United States Melania Trump formally presented the gown she wore to the 2025 inaugural balls to the Smithsonian's First Ladies Collection, Friday, Feb. 20, during a ceremony at the National Museum of American History. The strapless off-white silk crepe gown trimmed with two bands of black silk gazar will be displayed at the center of the museum's popular"The First Ladies," exhibition beginning today.
The gown was designed by Herve Pierre, a French American fashion and costume designer, who also designed Mrs. Trump's 2017 inaugural ball gown. Accenting the dress is a reproduction of a 1955 Harry Winston original creation, a curving, floral diamond brooch. Mrs. Trump borrowed the original, an archival piece from the House of Harry Winston, and pinned it to a black ribbon that she wore as a choker.
For more than 100 years, the First Ladies Collection has been one of the most popular attractions at the Smithsonian. It originated in 1912, and the inaugural "First Ladies" exhibition mounted in 1914 was the first display at the Smithsonian to prominently feature women. The exhibition itself has changed in size, location, style and narrative several times over many decades.
"Today Melania Trump continues a beloved century-long tradition and also paves a new path as the only modern First Lady to serve two non-consecutive terms," said Anthea M. Hartig, the museum's Elizabeth MacMillan Director. "Herve Pierre's stunning 2025 creation joins the gown he designed for the First Lady's first ball, carrying on the tradition started by Helen Taft when she donated her gown from the 1909 inaugural."
President Grover Cleveland's non-consecutive administrations were represented by two dresses in the earlier iteration of "The First Ladies" exhibition that displayed every administration in chronological order. Since Cleveland was a bachelor when he took office at his March 1885 inauguration, the first Cleveland administration was represented by a dress worn by his sister, Rose Cleveland, who served as his hostess until he married Frances Folsom in June 1886. The second Cleveland administration was represented by a dress worn by Frances Cleveland during that time. By collecting and exhibiting Melania Trump's 2017 inaugural ball gown and 2025 inaugural ball gown, the Smithsonian is merging two traditions from the collection--the representation of non-consecutive administrations and the tradition of the First Lady donating her inaugural ball gown.
The ceremony included remarks from Lonnie Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; Anthea M. Hartig, the museum's Elizabeth MacMillan Director; and Mrs. Trump.
The First Lady's gown donation ceremony is made possible by a gift from the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation.
"The First Ladies" exhibition features 26 dresses and more than 130 other objects, ranging from those belonging to Martha Washington to Melania Trump, and it includes White House state china place settings, personal possessions and artifacts from the Smithsonian's unique collection. Among the dresses on view are Grace Coolidge's flapper-style evening gown, Jacqueline Kennedy's yellow-silk gown worn to the 1961 Kennedy administration's first state dinner and Eleanor Roosevelt's slate blue crepe gown, which she wore to the 1933 inaugural ball. For more than 200 years, the public has admired their individual approach to shaping their role in the White House.
The exhibition examines this in four main sections: "The Fashionable First Lady" explores the public's interest in the first ladies' fashions. Only a few first ladies have become fashion icons, inspiring trends and promoting American designers, but all have had their wardrobes scrutinized by the American public, continuing the debate over what is "appropriate" for presidential style.
"The Nation's Hostess" looks at the role the First Lady has played for the nation and the presidential administrations. Each reception or dinner is an opportunity for the First Lady to help build America's international relationships, win political friends and public support for the President or further his administration's agenda. Each First Lady puts her own stamp on presidential hospitality.
"Inauguration and Opportunities" looks at the inauguration of a President as a time of optimism and new beginnings. In addition to attending ceremonies and balls, incoming first ladies often announce the agendas and special projects they intend to pursue.
"Changing Times, Changing First Ladies" highlights Dolley Madison, Mary Lincoln, Edith Roosevelt and Lady Bird Johnson, who fashioned their own ways of handling the White House, families, parties, and their political influence and activities. Through different times and circumstances, they crafted significant roles for themselves that they believed would allow them to best serve the country.
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History seeks to empower people to create a more just and compassionate future by examining, preserving and sharing the complexity of our past. The museum, located on Constitution Avenue N.W. between 12th and 14th streets, is open daily except Dec. 25, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. The doors of the museum are always open online, and the virtual museum offers ever-expanding access to online exhibitions, PK-12 educational materials and programs. The public can follow the museum on social media on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-accepts-first-lady-melania-trumps-inaugural-gown
National Museum of Asian Art Announces Its 2026 Nowruz Family Festival
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Asian Art issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2026:
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National Museum of Asian Art Announces Its 2026 Nowruz Family Festival
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art will celebrate its 2026 Nowruz Family Festival Saturday, March 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Named for the Persian word for "new day," Nowruz marks the vernal equinox and the first day of spring.
This year's Nowruz Family Festival will include attractions for all ages, including storytelling, hands-on activities,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Asian Art issued the following news release on Feb. 19, 2026:
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National Museum of Asian Art Announces Its 2026 Nowruz Family Festival
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art will celebrate its 2026 Nowruz Family Festival Saturday, March 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Named for the Persian word for "new day," Nowruz marks the vernal equinox and the first day of spring.
This year's Nowruz Family Festival will include attractions for all ages, including storytelling, hands-on activities,food for purchase and more. A traditional haftseen table displaying at least seven (haft) items that refer to new life and renewal, each beginning with the letter "s" (pronounced seen in Persian), will be in the north lobby of the museum's West Building (Freer Gallery of Art). A full schedule of activities is available online. The museum also offers many digital resources on Nowruz, including arts and crafts activities, podcasts and webinars.
Nowruz is rooted in Zoroastrianism and was celebrated in Iran as early as 3,000 years ago. Today, people in many regions--from West Asia and the Caucasus to Central and South Asia--participate in the 13 days of Nowruz festivities with their own local variations.
More than 6,000 people attended the National Museum of Asian Art's Nowruz celebration in March 2025.
The museum's annual Nowruz festival is made possible by the Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Persian Culture Celebrations Fund.
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About the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art opened in 1923 as America's first national art museum and the first Asian art museum in the United States. It now stewards one of the world's most important collections of Asian art, with works dating from antiquity to the present. The museum also hosts an important collection of 19th- and early 20th-century American art.
Through an ambitious program of collection, conservation, exhibitions, programming and research, the museum serves as a global and national resource for understanding the arts and cultures of Asia and their interaction with America, past and present. By presenting the arts and cultures of Asia in their extraordinary diversity, the museum aims to exemplify foundational ideals of curiosity, creativity and respect. In a world growing ever more interdependent, the museum values cross-cultural understanding as a crucial element of personal and collective well-being.
Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the museum is free and open 364 days a year (closed Dec. 25). The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education and research complex and welcomes millions of visitors yearly. For more information about the National Museum of Asian Art, visit asia.si.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-museum-asian-art-announces-its-2026-nowruz-family-festival
ICYMI: New York Post: EPA to Reform Biden's $5B Electric School Bus Program by Providing More Fuel Alternatives
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: New York Post: EPA to Reform Biden's $5B Electric School Bus Program by Providing More Fuel Alternatives
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WASHINGTON - Yesterday, The New York Post highlighted recent action the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking to revamp the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program. Updates to the disastrous Biden-Harris Administration program will provide school districts with increased choice and affordable options for school buses. EPA's plans to set the program straight will strengthen oversight
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: New York Post: EPA to Reform Biden's $5B Electric School Bus Program by Providing More Fuel Alternatives
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WASHINGTON - Yesterday, The New York Post highlighted recent action the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking to revamp the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program. Updates to the disastrous Biden-Harris Administration program will provide school districts with increased choice and affordable options for school buses. EPA's plans to set the program straight will strengthen oversightand compliance actions in a way that aligns with President Trump's Day One executive orders and ensure hard-earned American tax dollars are being put to the best use possible.
Read the full story (https://nypost.com/2026/02/19/us-news/epa-to-reform-bidens-5b-electric-school-bus-program-by-providing-more-fuel-alternatives/):
"The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking to reform an electric school bus program that had $2.3 billion in remaining taxpayer funding by providing an array of fuel alternatives through new grants with leftover cash.
"EPA officials will announce Thursday that they're expecting feedback from school officials, fleet operators, manufacturers and producers on the range of 'biofuels, compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas, and hydrogen' that could power buses nationwide with a 'more reliable' energy source.
'"Today, EPA takes the next step to set the program straight,' EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement to The Post. 'Americans can rest assured that moving forward, the program will be safe, effective, and use reliable forms of American energy.'
"The regulatory process, which will begin with what's known as a Request for Information (RFI) from all those parties, aims to dole out the billions of dollars in grants for school bus fleets starting in 2026 -while complying with the 2021 authorizing law, passed under President Joe Biden.
"The Clean School Bus Program set aside $5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace thousands of gas-guzzling vehicles with zero-emission ones taking American kids to schools.
"The Biden-era legislation had permitted rebates for the fuel alternatives in addition to all-electric vehicles, EPA officials noted, and will be able to provide the grants without running afoul of clean-air regulations or laws.
"But around 90% of the funding went toward funding all-electric buses, officials said.
"The EPA's watchdog determined in a 2023 audit that the program was rife with 'potential fraud, waste, and abuse' -and rescinded $38 million in ineligible rebates requested.
"At least one manufacturer, Lion Electric, went bankrupt in 2024 after taking $160 million in taxpayer dollars.
"At least $2.7 billion in funding was awarded to 1,152 school districts to make the change to 8,236 electric buses -but dozens were stalled by manufacturing issues, the Washington Free Beacon first reported.
"More than $61 million went toward just two entities in New York City making 180 all-electric buses for five school districts, coming out to roughly between $295,000 and $395,000 for each one. It's unclear how many were produced.
"Statewide in New York, school districts got $210 million from the program and manufactured just 150 buses, a spokesperson from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority previously told The Post.
"That puts a price tag on the electric bus swap at approximately $318,452.45 per vehicle to produce.
'"As was the case with so many of the Biden-era programs, the Clean School Bus program has been a disaster of poor management and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars,' Zeldin added. 'At the Trump EPA, we have zero tolerance for reckless spending.'
"Officials and parents of schoolchildren also carped that electric buses failed to sufficiently provide heat for students during the colder winter months, were prone to breaking down on their routes and too costly for many districts millions to switch to.
"The RFI public comment period will run for 45 days before the process of rolling out new rebates begins."
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/icymi-new-york-post-epa-reform-bidens-5b-electric-school-bus-program-providing-more
How New Amtrak Maintenance Facilities Improve Reliability and Reduce Delays
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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How New Amtrak Maintenance Facilities Improve Reliability and Reduce Delays
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Reliable service starts behind the scenes.
Amtrak is building a network of new and upgraded maintenance facilities across the country to support today's fleet and the next generation of trainsets. These modern facilities allow full trainsets to be inspected and serviced together, reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
Major facilities are being developed in key hub locations including Seattle, Boston, New York,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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How New Amtrak Maintenance Facilities Improve Reliability and Reduce Delays
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Reliable service starts behind the scenes.
Amtrak is building a network of new and upgraded maintenance facilities across the country to support today's fleet and the next generation of trainsets. These modern facilities allow full trainsets to be inspected and serviced together, reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
Major facilities are being developed in key hub locations including Seattle, Boston, New York,Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and upstate New York, supported by additional satellite locations across the network.
These investments help keep equipment in better condition, improve operational performance, and ensure trains are ready for customers every day.
Working in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration, this program is helping us deliver more reliable service and build a new era of rail that will serve customers for decades to come.
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/02/how-new-amtrak-maintenance-facilities-improve-reliability-and-reduce-delays/
EPA Continues to Reverse Democrats' War on Beautiful Clean Coal, Finalizes Repeal of Costly Restrictions on Baseload Power Generation
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Continues to Reverse Democrats' War on Beautiful Clean Coal, Finalizes Repeal of Costly Restrictions on Baseload Power Generation
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While at Mills Creek Power Plant in Kentucky, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the finalization of a deregulatory action to ensure affordable, dependable energy for American families and restore American energy dominance. In today's final action, EPA repealed the Biden Administration's 2024 amendments to the National Emission Standards for
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Continues to Reverse Democrats' War on Beautiful Clean Coal, Finalizes Repeal of Costly Restrictions on Baseload Power Generation
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While at Mills Creek Power Plant in Kentucky, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the finalization of a deregulatory action to ensure affordable, dependable energy for American families and restore American energy dominance. In today's final action, EPA repealed the Biden Administration's 2024 amendments to the National Emission Standards forHazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (EGUs) - a rule commonly known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for power plants, or simply MATS. By doing so, EPA will enforce existing, highly effective and robust MATS requirements, which will ensure public health and the environment are protected without compromising America's energy or economic prosperity. The final rule is expected to save an estimated $670 million, savings American families will see in the form of lower everyday living costs.
"The Biden-Harris Administration's anti-coal regulations sought to regulate out of existence this vital sector of our energy economy. If implemented, these actions would have destroyed reliable American energy," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "The Trump EPA knows that we can grow the economy, enhance baseload power, and protect human health and the environment all at the same time. It is not a binary choice and never should have been."
"The 2012 MATS Rule-reaffirmed by the Trump EPA in 2020-is fully protective of human health risks. Although the Biden-Harris EPA agreed with this conclusion, they charged ahead with a slew of unnecessary, costly, and burdensome new requirements based in part on incomplete information," said EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi. "That mistake ends today. The Trump EPA's action follows the rule of law and will reduce of cost of generating baseload power, lowering costs and improving reliability for consumers."
"I applaud the Trump EPA's continued efforts to overturn burdensome Democrat regulations that have placed lasting hardship on American families and workers. The Obama Administration's 2012 MATS rule was one of the biggest blows against West Virginia in the war on coal, putting an indescribable strain on our dedicated coal miners, their families and communities and our entire state. The Biden Administration only made matters worse when it included an even more stringent MATS rule in its package of regulations aimed at eliminating coal from our nation's energy mix. Building on last week's announcements, this latest action from the Trump EPA further demonstrates President Trump's and EPA Administrator Zeldin's support of the affordable and reliable electricity that coal provides," said Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).
"The EPA's decision to repeal the 2024 MATS revisions is a victory for American energy dominance. The Biden-Harris Administration's liberal regulatory agenda would have raised costs, created standards that were impossible to meet, and hurt energy reliability. To strengthen and secure our grid America must depend on reliable and affordable energy, so we cannot afford regulations that drive power plants offline. Thank you to Administrator Zeldin for addressing this burdensome overreach and restoring standards that protect both public health and the affordable and reliable energy American families and businesses depend on," House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02).
"Reliable baseload power is essential to keeping energy affordable for families and businesses across Southern Indiana and the country. The Biden Administration's war on coal drove up costs and threatened grid reliability. Today's action will reduce costs, strengthen American energy dominance, and protect the workforce, all while maintaining strong environmental standards," said Representative Erin Houchin (R-IN-09).
"It is so refreshing to have a President in office who understands how to make America an energy dominant country again," said Representative Mark Messmer (R-IN-08). "We should never ignore readily available sources of energy, which if left untapped, force us to become dependent upon our enemies to fill in the gaps. The repeal of the 2024 MATS amendments revives an industry crucial to making energy affordable again and allows Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money."
"I commend President Trump, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Deputy EPA Administrator Fotouhi for taking decisive action to restore common-sense energy policy. This long-overdue repeal strengthens grid reliability, protects Kentucky coal jobs, and ensures America remains energy dominant instead of energy desperate," said Representative Andy Barr (R-KY-06).
"America's energy dominance is powered by Kentucky coal. I'm grateful to partner with President Trump and his Administration to protect affordability and preserve Kentucky's low-cost energy," said Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman. "As Attorney General, I'm proud to stand strong for Kentucky coal and the men and women who keep the lights on."
The 2024 MATS regulation was another notch in the Biden-Harris Administration's war on coal. The rule imposed massive costs and red tape on coal-and oil-fired power plants, driving up the cost of living for American families, jeopardizing our grid reliability and national security, and limiting American energy and manufacturing dominance. The move was made despite the increased demand for baseload power across the nation; a demand which continues today.
The repeal of the 2024 MATS amendments will relieve all facilities of the unnecessary revised filterable particulate matter (fPM) emission standard for coal-fired power plants, the updated mercury standard for lignite-fired power plants, and the requirement for all power plants to use PM Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS)-which was shown to result in net costs, not benefits to the American people. This final rule reverts required compliance back to the existing 2012 standards that have driven sharp reductions in harmful air toxic pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants. In fact, in 2021, under the original standards, mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants were already 90 percent lower than pre-MATS levels. And since the 2012 MATS rule was put into place, acid gas hazardous air pollutant emissions have been reduced by over 96 percent, and emissions of the non-mercury metals - including nickel, arsenic, and lead - have been reduced by more than 81 percent. The Biden-Harris Administration reaffirmed the success of these changes when finding the existing 2012 standards provided an ample margin of safety to protect public health.
Coal is an essential source of baseload power needed to power both the American economy and American homes. Ensuring affordable and reliable energy supplies drives down the cost of living across the board. Americans will see the expected $670 million in savings in the form of lower costs of transportation, heating, utilities, farming, and manufacturing, and more reliable energy. As part of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin ' s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, Administrator Zeldin pledged to restore American Energy Dominance. Today's action will further this goal without compromising EPA's core mission of protecting human health and the environment.
To read the final rule, please visit EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards website.
Background
EPA first established the MATS rule in 2012 to limit emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) including mercury; acid gases such as hydrogen chloride (HCl) and hydrogen fluoride (HF); non-mercury metals such as nickel, lead, and chromium; and organic pollutants such as formaldehyde and dioxins/furans from coal- and oil-fired power plants.
In 2020, EPA completed the required eight-year review of the 2012 standards to identify and address any residual risk to human health and the environment and, separately, to revise the standards "as necessary" in light of developments in practices, processes, and control technologies. After completing the review, EPA determined the 2012 standards protected public health with an ample margin of safety and that changes were not "necessary" because there were no cost-effective developments in control technology. The Biden-Harris Administration reaffirmed the 2020 Residual Risk Review and did not reopen it. Nevertheless, the Biden EPA established new standards and continuous emissions monitoring systems that resulted in net costs as opposed to net benefits for the American people, thereby removing existing compliance flexibilities in favor of an infeasible one-size-fits-all approach.
On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Zeldin announced a number of historic actions to advance President Trump's Day One executive orders and Power the Great American Comeback. He announced the agency would be reconsidering the Biden-Harris Administration's MATS rule. The Biden rule caused significant regulatory uncertainty, especially for coal plants in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming. In June 2025, the Trump EPA released its proposal and held a 45-day public comment period, which included a public hearing.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-continues-reverse-democrats-war-beautiful-clean-coal-finalizes-repeal-costly
Connect with GSA at the CT Business Matchmaker in Hartford on March 5
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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Connect with GSA at the CT Business Matchmaker in Hartford on March 5
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HARTFORD, Conn. - Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that GSA's Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization will participate in the Connecticut (CT) Business Matchmaker event on March 5, 2026. This is a high-impact networking event designed to connect businesses with government buyers and prime contractors to strengthen our national/local supply chains and open opportunities of procurement
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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Connect with GSA at the CT Business Matchmaker in Hartford on March 5
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HARTFORD, Conn. - Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that GSA's Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization will participate in the Connecticut (CT) Business Matchmaker event on March 5, 2026. This is a high-impact networking event designed to connect businesses with government buyers and prime contractors to strengthen our national/local supply chains and open opportunities of procurementfor CT businesses.
"GSA is dedicated to supporting small businesses and ensuring they have access to the federal procurement process," said Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization Associate Administrator Greg Justice. "The Connecticut Business Matchmaker is an excellent forum for us to connect with Connecticut's entrepreneurs, understand their capabilities, and guide them toward successful partnerships with the government."
One-on-one prescheduled matchmaking meetings are at the heart of the CT Business Matchmaker. Businesses will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with buyers from federal, state and local agencies as well as prime contractors.
The event will also include a dynamic networking Business Expo featuring key resource providers, lenders, prime contractors and government agencies. In addition to a full day of training sessions facilitated by Small Business Administration (SBA) employees, resource partners and contracting experts.
The upcoming construction of a new Federal Courthouse in Hartford, which is slated to begin in the summer of 2027, presents a particularly exciting prospect for local businesses.
Representatives will be on hand to discuss potential contracting opportunities related to this major project, and other ways to work with GSA.
Who Should Attend:
* Small business owners
* Entrepreneurs interested in government contracting
* Local businesses seeking federal, state, and municipal procurement opportunities
Event Details:
* Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
* Time: Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. (registration required)
* Location: Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103
* Register at: CT Business Matchmaker
Don't miss this chance to connect with key decision-makers and explore new avenues for growth. Register today to secure your spot at the CT Business Matchmaker.
The GSA Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization serves as a critical liaison for small businesses, promoting increased access to nationwide procurement opportunities and championing made-in-America policies.
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government. GSA manages a nationwide real estate portfolio of approximately 360 million rentable square feet, oversees more than $116 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivers technology services to millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver exceptional customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
Contact
press@gsa.gov
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Original text here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/connect-with-gsa-at-the-ct-business-matchmaker-in-hartford-on-march-5-02202026
Alliant 3: GSA's New Governmentwide Acquisition Contract Supports Procurement Consolidation and Federal IT Modernization
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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Alliant 3: GSA's New Governmentwide Acquisition Contract Supports Procurement Consolidation and Federal IT Modernization
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The GWAC consolidates agency IT contracts to reduce administrative burden, duplication, and accelerate cost savings
Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the phase 1 awards of the Alliant 3 Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) enterprise-level information technology services contract designed to help federal agencies acquire complex IT solutions
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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Alliant 3: GSA's New Governmentwide Acquisition Contract Supports Procurement Consolidation and Federal IT Modernization
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The GWAC consolidates agency IT contracts to reduce administrative burden, duplication, and accelerate cost savings
Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the phase 1 awards of the Alliant 3 Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) enterprise-level information technology services contract designed to help federal agencies acquire complex IT solutionswith speed, consistency, and value for taxpayers. The Alliant 3 GWAC supports federal IT modernization and expands access to emerging technology services across agencies.
Alliant 3 is structured as a pre-competed, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, enabling agencies to issue task orders for comprehensive services such as systems engineering, cloud services, cybersecurity, data solutions, software development, and other emerging technology-related support.
"This is a critical step in modernizing government IT infrastructure and directly supports President Trump's initiative to consolidate federal procurement," said Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum. "By offering a streamlined approach to IT procurement, this contract offering not only reduces duplication and lowers administrative costs, but also significantly strengthens the federal government's overall purchasing power."
"Alliant 3 embodies GSA's commitment to delivering smarter buying for the federal enterprise by simplifying how agencies access critical IT services through a single, governmentwide contract," said Assistant Commissioner for the GSA Office of Information Technology Category (ITC), Lawrence Hale. "It enables agencies to adopt modern technologies more quickly, strengthen performance and security, and deliver measurable results for the American taxpayer."
The Alliant 3 contract expands on the legacy of previous Alliant vehicles by providing a broad, unrestricted pool of industry partners evaluated for technical capability and past performance. With Alliant 3, agencies can drive competition at the task-order level and achieve best-value outcomes while ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations and procurement reform directives.
Alliant 3 also supports the implementation of Executive Order 14240 which directs federal agencies to consolidate domestic procurement of common goods and services within GSA to reduce duplication, increase efficiency, and enable agencies to focus on mission delivery.
General questions related to the Alliant 3 GWAC may be directed to alliant3@gsa.gov.
About GSA : GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government. GSA manages a nationwide real estate portfolio of approximately 360 million rentable square feet, oversees more than $116 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivers technology services to millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver exceptional customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
Contact
press@gsa.gov
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Original text here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/gsas-new-alliant-3-gwac-awards-02202026
