Commerce's NIST Spends $3.85M on Quest Software Renewal with Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,550 ($38.5K)

Contractor: Software Information Resource Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-07-01

End Date: 2027-06-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $106/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: OU18-FY26-072-NEW QUEST SOFTWARE RENEWAL

Place of Performance

Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20899

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $38,550 to SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP. for work described as: OU18-FY26-072-NEW QUEST SOFTWARE RENEWAL Key points: 1. The contract is for Quest Software renewal, a critical IT function. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. The contract value is $3.85 million over one year. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically Other Computer Related Services. 5. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price type, providing cost certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.85 million for a one-year software renewal appears reasonable given the nature of enterprise software. Benchmarking against similar large-scale software renewals would provide a more precise assessment.

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. This method suggests that multiple vendors were considered, likely leading to competitive pricing and a fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary software services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of essential NIST systems reliant on Quest Software. Supports data management and IT infrastructure for a key scientific research agency. Potential for cost savings through competitive procurement of software licenses.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Spending on enterprise software renewals is common across government agencies to maintain critical IT infrastructure and operational capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate in the competition.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract specifies a Delivery Order under a larger agreement, suggesting existing oversight mechanisms. The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause implies a structured procurement process.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

other-computer-related-services, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, under-100k

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $38,550 to SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP.. OU18-FY26-072-NEW QUEST SOFTWARE RENEWAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE 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 $38,550.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-07-01. End: 2027-06-30.

What specific Quest Software products are included in this renewal, and are there alternative solutions that could offer similar functionality at a lower cost?

The provided data does not specify the exact Quest Software products. A detailed review of the contract's statement of work is necessary to identify the specific software. Investigating alternative solutions would require market research into competing software vendors offering comparable features and assessing their pricing structures against the current renewal cost.

What is the historical spending trend for this software renewal, and has the price increased significantly over time?

Historical spending data for this specific renewal is not provided in the current dataset. Analyzing past contract awards for the same or similar Quest Software products would be required to identify any significant price escalations. Understanding the trend is crucial for assessing long-term value and potential budget impacts.

How critical is this specific Quest Software to NIST's core mission, and what would be the impact of its unavailability?

The criticality of the Quest Software to NIST's core mission is not detailed in the provided data. However, as a renewal for a government agency, it is likely supporting essential functions. Assessing the impact would involve understanding the software's role in data management, research support, or operational processes and identifying potential disruptions if service were interrupted.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesOther Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONSIT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

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: $38,550

Exercised Options: $38,550

Current Obligation: $38,550

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD74B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline

Start Date: 2026-07-01

Current End Date: 2027-06-30

Potential End Date: 2027-06-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-04-10

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