Commerce awards $103.6K for Fortinet maintenance, extending NOAA's cybersecurity support through March 2027

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $103,582 ($103.6K)

Contractor: Metgreen Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-03-12

End Date: 2027-03-12

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $284/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ACIO-26-033_FORTINET MAINTENANCE RENEWAL

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $103,582.2 to METGREEN SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: ACIO-26-033_FORTINET MAINTENANCE RENEWAL Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding, aiming for cost-effectiveness. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust bidding process with multiple offers. 3. Risk indicators are low due to established vendor and clear service scope. 4. Performance context relies on successful past maintenance and support. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically cybersecurity maintenance. 6. The contract type is firm fixed price, providing cost certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $103,582.20 for a one-year maintenance renewal appears reasonable given the specialized nature of cybersecurity support for network infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar IT maintenance contracts for enterprise-level security solutions suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure further enhances value by preventing cost overruns for the government.

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 solicited and allowed to bid. With 8 offers received, the competition level was high, suggesting a healthy market for these services. This broad participation generally leads to better price discovery and more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently, as multiple vendors vied to offer the best price and terms for this essential cybersecurity maintenance.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) benefits from uninterrupted cybersecurity support. Essential network security and maintenance services are delivered to protect critical data. The geographic impact is national, supporting NOAA's nationwide operations. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a maintenance renewal rather than new system deployment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if renewal terms are not carefully managed in the future.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical cybersecurity maintenance could pose a risk if the vendor's service quality degrades.

Positive Signals

Competitive bidding process mitigates risk and ensures fair pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Renewal of maintenance for existing infrastructure is a standard and necessary practice.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity maintenance for network hardware and software. The market for cybersecurity solutions and maintenance is substantial and growing, driven by increasing cyber threats. This contract represents a small but vital component of the government's overall IT spending, ensuring the operational integrity of NOAA's systems.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. While the primary awardee is not identified as a small business, the competitive nature of the bidding process could still allow for subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the IT services ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The firm fixed-price nature simplifies financial oversight. Accountability is maintained through the contract's performance requirements and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract award data.

Related Government Programs

NOAA IT Infrastructure Support
Federal Cybersecurity Maintenance Contracts
Network Security Services
IT Services for Scientific Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on single vendor for critical security maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $103,582.2 to METGREEN SOLUTIONS INC. ACIO-26-033_FORTINET MAINTENANCE RENEWAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METGREEN SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $103,582.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-12. End: 2027-03-12.

What is the track record of METGREEN SOLUTIONS INC in providing similar cybersecurity maintenance services to federal agencies?

Information regarding METGREEN SOLUTIONS INC's specific track record for federal cybersecurity maintenance is not detailed in the provided data. However, their selection in a competitive bidding process with 8 offers suggests they met the technical and financial qualifications required by the Department of Commerce for this renewal. Further investigation into past performance evaluations and contract history with other federal agencies would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and service quality in this domain. Assessing their experience with Fortinet products specifically would also be beneficial.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for Fortinet maintenance renewals of similar scope and duration?

The awarded price of $103,582.20 for a 365-day maintenance renewal for Fortinet products is considered reasonable within the context of enterprise-level cybersecurity support. While a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult without knowing the specific Fortinet products and services covered, industry benchmarks for similar maintenance contracts typically range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and scale of the network infrastructure. The competitive bidding process, yielding 8 offers, strongly suggests that this price reflects a competitive market rate, preventing significant overpayment by the government.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential degradation of service quality from the vendor over time, or the possibility of vendor lock-in if future renewals are not managed competitively. Mitigation strategies are in place through the contract's firm fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the vendor to maintain service levels to ensure payment. Furthermore, the requirement for full and open competition in future solicitations, as demonstrated in this award, provides a mechanism to re-evaluate vendors and pricing, thereby mitigating long-term vendor lock-in and ensuring continued value for the government.

How effective is the competitive bidding process in ensuring value for taxpayer money in this specific contract?

The competitive bidding process was highly effective in ensuring value for taxpayer money in this contract. The solicitation resulted in 8 distinct offers, indicating a robust market response and significant vendor interest. This level of competition typically drives down prices as vendors strive to be the most attractive option. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract further solidifies value by providing cost certainty. The agency's decision to conduct full and open competition after exclusion of sources demonstrates a commitment to leveraging market forces to achieve the best possible outcome for the government.

What is the historical spending pattern for Fortinet maintenance at NOAA or the Department of Commerce?

Historical spending data for Fortinet maintenance at NOAA or the Department of Commerce is not provided in the current data extract. To assess historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze previous contract awards for similar maintenance services over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying prior contracts with METGREEN SOLUTIONS INC or other vendors for Fortinet maintenance, noting their values, durations, and any trends in pricing or contract volume. Such an analysis would help determine if the current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in this area.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - DATA CENTER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3203 KOENIGSTEIN AVE, NORFOLK, NE, 68701

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $103,582

Exercised Options: $103,582

Current Obligation: $103,582

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD37B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline