Consulting and Technical Services (CATS)

Consulting and Technical Services (CATS) is a Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) contract vehicle that provides state agencies, local governments, and educational institutions with access to pre-qualified IT consulting and technical services firms through a streamlined task order process.

What is CATS?

CATS is one of Maryland's primary mechanisms for procuring information technology professional services, covering areas such as application development, project management, cybersecurity, IT strategy, business analysis, and related technical consulting. The most recent iteration, CATS+, expanded coverage and modernized the vehicle structure. Vendors who win CATS master contracts are listed on the DoIT website and are eligible to receive task order requests from any participating Maryland state entity. Task orders are competed among CATS holders within the relevant functional category, meaning winning a master contract is necessary but not sufficient, firms must also compete effectively at the task order level. CATS is widely used because it eliminates the need for each state agency to run its own full competitive procurement for IT services. For technology consulting firms targeting Maryland state government work, which includes a significant number of state agencies, the University System of Maryland, and county governments, holding a CATS contract is essential infrastructure. The vehicle spans multiple labor categories with pre-approved bill rate ceilings, and contractors must price their services competitively within those ceiling constraints.

Why CATS matters for government contractors

For IT services firms targeting mid-Atlantic state and local government, CATS is one of the most important contract vehicles in the region. Maryland's state IT budget is substantial, and CATS is the primary pathway through which agencies access consulting and development talent. Without a CATS contract, firms are effectively locked out of this market segment regardless of their technical qualifications.

Example

A cybersecurity consulting firm wins a CATS+ master contract in the IT security functional area. When the Maryland Department of Health issues a task order request for security assessment services, the firm submits a competitive task order proposal and wins a six-month engagement that leads to a longer-term managed security services relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can order under CATS?

Maryland state agencies, independent agencies, local governments, and many educational institutions in Maryland are authorized to order under CATS. The DoIT website lists eligible ordering entities and the task order process.

How does CATS+ differ from the original CATS?

CATS+ (Consulting and Technical Services Plus) is the modernized version of the original CATS contract, with updated functional categories, expanded scope, and improved ordering procedures. Most active Maryland IT services work flows through CATS+ rather than the legacy CATS vehicle.

Can out-of-state firms hold a CATS contract?

Yes. CATS is open to firms of all sizes and locations as long as they meet the qualification requirements. Maryland does not impose a geographic preference for CATS awards, though local presence and relationships with Maryland agencies are practical advantages in task order competitions.

How are CATS labor rates structured?

CATS specifies ceiling rates for defined labor categories. Contractors propose rates at or below the ceiling rates during the master contract award process. At the task order level, firms can discount further from their approved rates to be more competitive. Rates are escalated periodically per contract terms.