Commerce Department renews MySQL software contract with Blue Tech Inc. for $23.5M, extending service through March 2027

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,487 ($23.5K)

Contractor: Blue Tech Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-20

Contract Duration: 353 days

Daily Burn Rate: $67/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MYSQL SOFTWARE 12 MONTH RENEWAL

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $23,487.3 to BLUE TECH INC. for work described as: MYSQL SOFTWARE 12 MONTH RENEWAL Key points: 1. The contract represents a significant investment in essential database software for the U.S. Census Bureau. 2. Renewal suggests satisfaction with current vendor performance and service continuity. 3. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the duration of the contract. 4. The contract's duration of over a year indicates a stable operational requirement. 5. The specific NAICS code (541519) points to a broad category of computer-related services, requiring further detail on the exact nature of the support. 6. The renewal follows a period where other sources were excluded, warranting scrutiny of the procurement process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific MySQL software renewal is challenging without detailed service level agreements and comparable market data for enterprise-level support. The $23.5 million over approximately 353 days translates to roughly $66,500 per day. This figure needs to be compared against similar government or private sector contracts for comprehensive database management and support, considering factors like the number of users, database size, and required uptime guarantees. The exclusion of other sources in the prior phase also raises questions about whether the government secured the most competitive pricing possible.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while there was an initial period of open competition, subsequent phases or modifications involved excluding certain potential bidders. The specific reasons for this exclusion are critical to understanding the competitive landscape. A limited competition, especially after an initial exclusion, may result in less aggressive pricing and potentially fewer innovative solutions compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources limits the potential for competitive pressure to drive down costs for taxpayers. It suggests that the government may have had specific reasons to limit the pool of bidders, which could impact the overall value obtained.

Public Impact

The U.S. Census Bureau benefits from continued access to critical MySQL database software and support. This ensures the uninterrupted operation of data collection, processing, and dissemination activities vital for national statistics. The contract supports the Bureau's mission to provide data for policy-making, research, and public information across the United States. The workforce at the Census Bureau relies on this stable software infrastructure for their daily operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the procurement history warrants further investigation to ensure fair competition and optimal pricing.
Lack of detailed service scope in the provided data makes it difficult to assess if the renewal represents true value for money.
The specific nature of the 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) needs clarification to understand the full scope of work.

Positive Signals

The renewal ensures continuity of essential IT services for a critical government agency.
The firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
The contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these services.

Sector Analysis

The market for database software and related IT services is highly competitive, with numerous vendors offering solutions ranging from open-source to proprietary systems. This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on database management and support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT service contracts for large-scale data management solutions across federal agencies, considering factors like software licensing, maintenance, and professional support. The annual value of this contract, approximately $23.5 million, places it as a significant, though not exceptionally large, IT expenditure within the federal government.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb: false) and set-asides (ss: false) were not factors in this specific contract award. This suggests that the competition, even if limited, was not structured to prioritize small businesses. Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this particular award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral, as this contract did not leverage small business capabilities or set-aside provisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Census Bureau's contracting and program management offices. Transparency is partially addressed through contract databases like FPDS, but detailed performance metrics and spending justifications are often internal. The Inspector General for the Department of Commerce would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract, particularly if concerns arise regarding the procurement process or service delivery.

Related Government Programs

Census Bureau IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Database Management Contracts
Commercial Software Renewals
IT Services for Statistical Agencies

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
Lack of transparency regarding the exclusion of sources.
Need for detailed performance metrics to assess value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $23,487.3 to BLUE TECH INC.. MYSQL SOFTWARE 12 MONTH RENEWAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLUE TECH INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23,487.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-20.

What specific MySQL database versions and features are covered under this renewal, and what is the scope of technical support provided by Blue Tech Inc.?

The provided data does not specify the exact MySQL versions or features included in the renewal, nor does it detail the scope of technical support. This information is crucial for assessing the value proposition. Typically, such renewals cover licensing, maintenance, patches, and potentially tiered technical support (e.g., 24/7 critical issue response, standard support). Without these details, it's difficult to benchmark the $23.5 million cost against industry standards for enterprise-grade database support, which can vary significantly based on the level of service, number of instances managed, and complexity of the environment. Further inquiry with the U.S. Census Bureau would be necessary to obtain the Statement of Work (SOW) or contract line item details.

What were the specific reasons for excluding other sources in the prior procurement phase leading to this renewal?

The contract type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' implies that while the initial award may have been competed broadly, subsequent actions or modifications involved limiting the pool of eligible bidders. The specific justification for excluding other sources is not provided in the summary data. Common reasons for such exclusions include proprietary technology, unique capabilities required, urgent and compelling needs where only one source can reasonably fulfill the requirement, or specific follow-on work that can only be performed by the original awardee. Understanding this rationale is key to assessing whether the exclusion was justified and if it potentially limited competition and impacted pricing for taxpayers.

How does the $23.5 million renewal cost compare to historical spending on MySQL software and support by the U.S. Census Bureau?

The provided data only includes the current renewal amount ($23.5 million) and its duration (approx. 353 days). To compare historical spending, one would need access to previous contract awards for MySQL software and support to the U.S. Census Bureau. Analyzing year-over-year spending trends, including any fluctuations in cost or contract scope, would reveal whether this renewal represents an increase, decrease, or stable expenditure. Without historical data, it's impossible to determine if the current cost is in line with past investments or if there have been significant changes in pricing or service levels.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Blue Tech Inc.'s performance under this contract, and have they met expectations?

The summary data does not include information on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for this contract or Blue Tech Inc.'s performance against them. Government IT contracts typically include performance standards related to uptime, response times for support requests, resolution times for issues, and adherence to security protocols. Evaluating performance requires access to contractually defined metrics and the agency's performance reports. Without this information, it is not possible to assess whether the renewal reflects satisfactory performance or if there have been any issues that might impact the value received by the Census Bureau.

What is the estimated total market size for enterprise MySQL support services within the federal government, and how does this contract fit within that market?

Estimating the total federal market size for enterprise MySQL support is complex, as it's often bundled within larger IT services contracts or specific agency procurements. However, given the widespread use of MySQL across various federal agencies for data management, the market is likely substantial, potentially in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually when considering all related services. This $23.5 million contract represents a significant, but not dominant, portion of that market for a single agency. It highlights the continued reliance on established database solutions and the ongoing need for vendor support, even with the prevalence of open-source options.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › 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: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4025 HANCOCK ST. STE. 100, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92110

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,487

Exercised Options: $23,487

Current Obligation: $23,487

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD00B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline