Multiple award vehicles are big contracts that give a chance to get shortlisted (put on a short list of qualified people to contact) for specific projects, or a moment when quality contractors offering a needed specific service/product compete for the chance. Many winners are possible. Award winners still have to apply to work on the small contracts under
These umbrella contracts, also called Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, give access to far less competitive contracts (task orders) than usual in the competitive markets. Only a few winners may apply and usually get plenty of orders even if they only apply to a few.
An IDIQ contract has a predetermined cap for maximum dollars or time allotted. The contract will be considered completed once the maximum budget (of often 8+ figures) has been reached or the contract duration has elapsed, whichever comes first.