Commerce Awards $487K for NIST Software, Full Competition Used
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $48,717 ($48.7K)
Contractor: Bahfed Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2026-04-06
End Date: 2026-04-17
Contract Duration: 11 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: OU03-FY26-231-NEW KEYSIGHT PATHWAVE IC-CAP BJT PLUS EXTRACTION PACKAGE PLUS LICENSE CERTIFICATE
Place of Performance
Location: PORTLAND, MULTNOMAH County, OREGON, 97205
State: Oregon Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $48,716.53 to BAHFED CORP for work described as: OU03-FY26-231-NEW KEYSIGHT PATHWAVE IC-CAP BJT PLUS EXTRACTION PACKAGE PLUS LICENSE CERTIFICATE Key points: 1. Contract value is $487,165.53 for software and licenses. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. Risk appears low given the short duration and fixed price. 4. Spending falls under 'Other Computer Related Services'.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $487,165.53 for a 11-day delivery order appears reasonable for specialized software and licenses. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used efficiently through a competitive process for essential software.
Public Impact
NIST acquires critical software for research and development. The acquisition supports advanced semiconductor analysis capabilities. Ensures access to up-to-date technology for federal researchers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Fixed price contract type.
- Short contract duration.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad category. The value is relatively small for this sector, suggesting a focused procurement for specific software needs.
Small Business Impact
No indication of small business participation in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the overall impact on small businesses within this contract vehicle.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a delivery order under an existing contract suggests prior oversight. The contracting agency is the Department of Commerce, with NIST as the specific user.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if this is a proprietary software.
- Limited duration may not reflect long-term support needs.
- Need to confirm if 'exclusion of sources' had any undue impact.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-commerce, or, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $48,716.53 to BAHFED CORP. OU03-FY26-231-NEW KEYSIGHT PATHWAVE IC-CAP BJT PLUS EXTRACTION PACKAGE PLUS LICENSE CERTIFICATE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAHFED CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $48,716.53.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-04-17.
What is the specific functionality of the "PATHWAVE IC-CAP BJT PLUS EXTRACTION PACKAGE" and how does it advance NIST's mission?
The PATHWAVE IC-CAP BJT PLUS EXTRACTION PACKAGE is specialized software used for the characterization and modeling of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) in integrated circuits. This capability is crucial for NIST's mission in semiconductor metrology, enabling accurate device simulation, performance prediction, and the development of advanced semiconductor materials and processes. It supports the nation's technological competitiveness by providing foundational data for next-generation electronics.
What were the specific reasons for excluding other sources prior to the full and open competition?
The data indicates 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This phrasing typically means that while the competition was ultimately open, there might have been an initial consideration or justification for excluding certain sources, perhaps due to specific technical requirements or prior contract history. However, the final award was made through a process open to all qualified bidders, suggesting that the exclusion was either temporary or based on a rationale that did not limit the final competitive pool.
How does the $487K price compare to the benchmark for similar software licenses and support packages in the federal market?
Without specific benchmark data for this niche software, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $487K for specialized engineering software and licenses, especially for a short delivery period, is not inherently excessive. The use of full and open competition suggests the price was vetted against market offerings. A more precise assessment would require access to government-wide contract vehicles or industry pricing databases for comparable technical software.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 1333ND26QNB030136
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1000 SW BROADWAY STE 1110, PORTLAND, OR, 97205
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $48,717
Exercised Options: $48,717
Current Obligation: $48,717
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD09B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-06
Current End Date: 2026-04-17
Potential End Date: 2026-04-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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