Agriculture Department awards $1.16M contract for JAWS software to enhance digital accessibility for visually impaired users

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,642 ($11.6K)

Contractor: Software Information Resource Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2027-04-07

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: JAWS SPECIFICALLY ENABLES BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS TO EFFECTIVELY INTERACT WITH USDA INTERNAL AND PUBLIC FACING DIGITAL SYSTEMS, WEB CONTENT, INTERNAL APPLICATIONS, DATABASES, AND EMAIL

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20037

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $11,642 to SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP. for work described as: JAWS SPECIFICALLY ENABLES BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS TO EFFECTIVELY INTERACT WITH USDA INTERNAL AND PUBLIC FACING DIGITAL SYSTEMS, WEB CONTENT, INTERNAL APPLICATIONS, DATABASES, AND EMAIL Key points: 1. The contract focuses on providing essential accessibility software, JAWS, to ensure USDA digital systems are usable by blind or visually impaired individuals. 2. The chosen vendor, SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP., has secured this contract, indicating a specific market position for providing such specialized software. 3. The contract duration of one year with a potential for extension suggests a need for ongoing support and updates for the accessibility software. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a competitive process that should theoretically lead to fair pricing. 5. The fixed-price contract type helps to define the financial scope and mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 6. The contract's primary purpose is to improve inclusivity and compliance with accessibility standards within USDA's digital infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.16 million for a one-year period for JAWS software appears reasonable given the specialized nature of assistive technology. JAWS is a leading screen reader, and its licensing and support costs can be significant. Benchmarking against similar government or enterprise-level procurements for JAWS licenses and support would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the absence of extensive customization or integration services suggests the cost is primarily for the software itself and associated maintenance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it was competed suggests that the agency sought the best value and pricing available in the market for this specific software. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature implies that price discovery was facilitated.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for providing essential accessibility tools to USDA employees and the public.

Public Impact

Blind and visually impaired users of USDA digital systems, including employees and the public, will benefit from enhanced accessibility. The contract ensures that USDA's internal applications, databases, web content, and email systems are effectively usable by individuals with visual impairments. This initiative supports USDA's commitment to digital inclusion and compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The contract has a national geographic impact, as it applies to USDA's digital presence across all its operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if alternative accessibility solutions are not considered in future procurements.
Reliance on a single software product may not fully address the diverse needs of all visually impaired users.
The effectiveness of the software is dependent on proper implementation and user training, which are not detailed in the award notice.

Positive Signals

Directly addresses a critical need for digital accessibility, promoting inclusivity.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair market approach.
The fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the award.
The contract duration allows for stable provision of essential services.

Sector Analysis

The market for assistive technology, particularly screen reader software like JAWS, is a specialized segment within the broader IT services sector. This contract falls under computer-related services, focusing on software licensing and support. The government procures such software to meet accessibility mandates, such as Section 508. While specific market size data for JAWS within the federal government is not readily available, it is a widely recognized solution in this niche. Comparable spending would involve other agencies procuring similar assistive technologies or enterprise-wide software licenses.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). The primary contractor, SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP., is likely a small business based on its name and the contract value, but this is not explicitly confirmed. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Future procurements in this area could explore opportunities for small business participation, particularly those specializing in assistive technology solutions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) at the Department of Agriculture, as indicated by the 'sa' field. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, which helps in managing costs. Accountability measures would involve performance monitoring against the contract's objectives, ensuring the software is delivered and functions as intended to meet accessibility requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract award data, though detailed performance metrics are usually internal.

Related Government Programs

Section 508 Compliance Software
Assistive Technology Procurement
IT Accessibility Solutions
Federal Software Licensing
Digital Inclusion Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for inadequate user adoption or training.
Risk of vendor lock-in with specialized software.
Dependence on vendor for ongoing support and updates.
Ensuring compliance with evolving accessibility standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $11,642 to SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP.. JAWS SPECIFICALLY ENABLES BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS TO EFFECTIVELY INTERACT WITH USDA INTERNAL AND PUBLIC FACING DIGITAL SYSTEMS, WEB CONTENT, INTERNAL APPLICATIONS, DATABASES, AND EMAIL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11,642.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2027-04-07.

What is the track record of SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP. in providing JAWS software or similar assistive technologies to the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP. in providing JAWS software or similar assistive technologies to the federal government is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their track record, one would need to review past contract awards to this vendor, their performance evaluations (if publicly available), and their history with accessibility solutions. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would be necessary to ascertain their experience, past performance ratings, and any potential issues encountered on previous contracts. Without this external data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise in this specialized area.

How does the $1.16 million contract value compare to typical federal spending on JAWS software or comparable screen readers?

The $1.16 million contract value for a one-year period for JAWS software appears to be within a reasonable range for enterprise-level government procurements of specialized assistive technology. JAWS is a premium screen reader, and its licensing, maintenance, and support can represent a significant cost, especially for a large organization like the Department of Agriculture with numerous potential users across various digital platforms. Benchmarking against other federal contracts for JAWS or similar high-end screen readers (e.g., NVDA, ZoomText) would provide a more precise comparison. Factors influencing cost include the number of licenses, support levels, and any included training or professional services. Given the contract is for 'Other Computer Related Services' and specifies JAWS, it likely covers licenses and potentially maintenance/support, making the figure plausible for a year's provision.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes overly reliant on SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP. and JAWS, potentially limiting future flexibility or cost-saving opportunities with alternative solutions. Another risk is the effectiveness and adoption of the software; if users are not adequately trained or if the software doesn't fully meet diverse needs, the intended accessibility benefits may not be realized. Performance issues or inadequate support from the vendor could also pose a risk. Mitigation strategies implied by the contract structure include the firm-fixed-price nature, which caps financial exposure, and the full and open competition, which aims to ensure a competitive market. The one-year duration with renewal options allows for periodic reassessment of needs and vendor performance. Clear performance standards and service level agreements within the contract would further mitigate performance risks.

How effective is JAWS software in meeting the digital accessibility needs of the USDA, and what metrics are used to measure this effectiveness?

The effectiveness of JAWS software in meeting the USDA's digital accessibility needs is primarily measured by its ability to enable blind or visually impaired users to interact with USDA's digital systems, web content, internal applications, databases, and email. The contract's success hinges on whether these systems become more usable and accessible post-implementation. Metrics for effectiveness would likely include user feedback, reduction in reported accessibility barriers, successful completion of accessibility audits (e.g., against Section 508 standards), and potentially increased productivity or task completion rates for users relying on JAWS. While specific metrics are not detailed in the award notice, the USDA's Office of the Chief Financial Officer would be responsible for monitoring performance against contract requirements, ensuring the software delivers the intended accessibility improvements.

What has been the historical spending pattern for JAWS software or similar accessibility solutions at the Department of Agriculture?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for JAWS software or similar accessibility solutions at the Department of Agriculture. To determine this, one would need to analyze past contract awards related to accessibility software and services issued by the USDA over several fiscal years. This analysis would involve searching federal procurement databases for relevant contract actions, identifying the vendors, contract types, values, and durations. Understanding historical spending can reveal trends, identify potential increases or decreases in investment in accessibility, and provide context for the current $1.16 million award. It could also highlight whether this is a new initiative or a continuation/expansion of previous efforts.

What is the role of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) in managing this accessibility software contract?

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) is listed as the 'Servicing Agency' (sa) for this contract, indicating its administrative and potentially financial oversight role. For an IT-related contract focused on software provision and accessibility, the OCFO's involvement likely includes ensuring the procurement process aligns with financial regulations, managing the budget allocated for the contract, processing payments to the vendor, and potentially overseeing the contract's financial performance. They would work in conjunction with the technical or program offices responsible for defining the accessibility requirements and ensuring the software meets those needs. The OCFO's role ensures fiscal responsibility and compliance throughout the contract lifecycle.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 730 24TH ST NW STE 3, WASHINGTON, DC, 20037

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,642

Exercised Options: $11,642

Current Obligation: $11,642

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD74B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline