Peace Corps
Abbreviation: PC
Director (as of 2026): Carol Spahn
2026 Budget: $430M
CGAC Code: 1100
Website: peacecorps.gov
The Peace Corps is an independent agency that sends American volunteers to serve abroad for 27 months in communities around the world. Volunteers work on projects in education, health, agriculture, environment, youth development, and community economic development.
Since its establishment in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans have served in over 140 countries.
How to Win PC Contracts
Winning work at the Peace Corpsmeans understanding a procurement culture that blends rigorous compliance, deep mission focus, and a preference for vendors who can speak the agency's language from day one. This guide walks through how PC buys, the vehicles it uses, and the steps your company should take to go from registered vendor to awarded contractor.
Understanding PC Procurement
The Peace Corps obligates roughly $40-60M annually in contracts supporting volunteer recruitment, medical services, training, and IT modernization for operations in ~60 host countries.
Contracts cluster around medical clearance and pre-service training, host-country logistics, volunteer support IT, and specialty consulting. Much of the service work is delivered by U.S. primes with local-national subs.
How PC Buys
Peace Corps uses GSA MAS, OASIS+, and agency-specific BPAs. Overseas posts use local procurement authorities for smaller buys.
The Office of Acquisitions and Contract Management runs HQ procurement.
Major Contract Vehicles
- Volunteer Medical Services Contracts— Medical clearance, mental health, and emergency medical support.
- Training Support IDIQs— Pre-service training curriculum and delivery at post-level.
- OASIS+— Professional services task orders.
- GSA MAS— Default for IT and administrative support.
Step 1: Get Registered and Compliant
Required Registrations
PC-Specific Requirements
Certification Programs
Step 2: Identify Opportunities
Primary Sources
Key Offices
Top Contract Types
Step 3: Position Your Company
Build Relationships
Relevant NAICS Codes
- 621111–Offices of Physicians
- 541611–Management Consulting
- 611710–Educational Support Services
- 541512–Computer Systems Design
- 621330–Offices of Mental Health Practitioners
Step 4: Develop Winning Proposals
Technical Approach
Past Performance
Pricing Strategy
Winning Strategies
- Specialize in medical services or training for volunteer populations.
- Team with returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) networks for local expertise.
- Use OASIS+ as primary services vehicle.
- Track post-level procurement for smaller, more accessible opportunities.
- Pursue small IT modernization directly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Pricing without accounting for overseas post logistics.
- Under-staffing mental health support; Peace Corps is very sensitive to volunteer wellbeing.
- Treating Peace Corps like domestic services work.
Small Business Programs
Peace Corps consistently meets small-business goals with strong 8(a) and WOSB utilization.
Key Contracting Offices
- Peace Corps Office of Acquisitions and Contract Management — Washington, DC
PC by the Numbers
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