Interior renews PDF Maps software for $412K, raising questions on value and competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $412,662 ($412.7K)

Contractor: Enterprise Technology Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-05-01

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $226/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AVENZA PDF MAPS RENEWAL

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $412,662.48 to ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: AVENZA PDF MAPS RENEWAL Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable given the software's utility for mapping and data management. 2. Competition was limited, with only one bid received, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. The fixed-price contract structure mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. The renewal extends services for five years, indicating ongoing reliance on the software. 5. This contract falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code, a broad category. 6. The renewal suggests the software meets the agency's needs for digital mapping solutions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $412,662.48 over five years averages to approximately $82,532 per year. Benchmarking this against similar enterprise software licenses is challenging without specific feature comparisons. However, the renewal suggests the agency finds the cost acceptable relative to the functionality provided for digital mapping and data management. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' with only one bid received. While advertised as full and open, the exclusion of sources and subsequent single bid suggest potential limitations in market reach or contractor interest. This level of competition may not have driven the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A single bid limits the government's ability to secure the lowest possible price, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a more robustly competed contract.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of the Interior benefit from access to essential mapping software. The software supports critical functions such as map creation, data visualization, and geospatial analysis. Geographic impact is nationwide, supporting various field operations and data management across different regions. Workforce implications include enabling efficient use of digital mapping tools for analysts and field personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and lack of market pressure on pricing.
The five-year duration could lock the agency into a solution that may become outdated or less cost-effective over time.
Lack of transparency regarding the 'exclusion of sources' could hide specific reasons for limited bidding.

Positive Signals

The renewal indicates the software is meeting the agency's functional requirements.
A firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty and mitigates risk of cost overruns.
The contract supports essential agency operations related to geospatial data management.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Computer Related Services' sector encompasses a wide range of IT services. This contract for PDF Maps software renewal fits within the broader market for specialized software solutions that support data management and visualization. The federal government is a significant purchaser of such services, with spending often driven by specific agency needs for data analysis, reporting, and operational support. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult without knowing the specific features and user base, but enterprise software renewals typically represent a substantial portion of IT budgets.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false) or involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the provided data. The primary contractor, ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC., is likely a larger entity, and the nature of the software renewal suggests a direct service provision rather than a broad ecosystem engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring delivery of the specified software and services. Transparency is partially addressed through contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and justification for the limited competition are not readily available in this summary.

Related Government Programs

Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Software
Digital Mapping Services
Enterprise Software Licensing
Department of the Interior IT Services

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Technological Obsolescence Risk
Lack of Detailed Performance Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $412,662.48 to ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC.. AVENZA PDF MAPS RENEWAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $412,662.48.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the track record of ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. with the Department of the Interior and other federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. has received multiple contracts, primarily with the Department of the Interior, for various IT services and software. While specific details on performance quality for each contract are not publicly detailed in summary data, the consistent award of contracts suggests a satisfactory performance history. Further investigation into contract performance reports (CPARS) and any past performance issues would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. The company's specialization appears to be in providing IT solutions and services to government entities.

How does the annual cost of this software renewal compare to similar enterprise mapping solutions in the federal market?

Direct comparison of the annual cost of $82,532 for AVENZA PDF MAPS RENEWAL is challenging without detailed feature sets and user counts for comparable software. However, enterprise-level geospatial software licenses can range significantly, from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, depending on the vendor, capabilities (e.g., advanced analytics, collaboration features, data integration), and the number of users. Given that this is a renewal, the agency likely assessed its value against alternatives during the initial procurement or previous renewals. The limited competition in this renewal phase, however, makes it difficult to ascertain if the current pricing reflects the most competitive market rate.

What are the specific risks associated with a five-year software renewal, particularly regarding technological obsolescence?

The primary risk with a five-year software renewal is technological obsolescence. Software, especially in the IT sector, evolves rapidly. A five-year commitment could mean the agency is locked into using a platform that becomes outdated, less efficient, or incompatible with newer technologies by the end of the term. This could lead to decreased productivity or the need for costly workarounds. Additionally, vendor support or product development might shift focus away from the licensed version. Mitigating this risk often involves negotiating clauses for software updates, ensuring the vendor has a clear product roadmap, or conducting periodic reviews to assess if the software still meets evolving needs.

What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation imply for the procurement process?

This designation suggests that the initial solicitation was intended to be open to all responsible sources. However, 'after exclusion of sources' implies that certain potential offerors were either explicitly excluded from bidding or that the solicitation was structured in a way that effectively limited the pool of eligible bidders. This could be due to specific technical requirements, past performance criteria, or other justifications. While it aims to maintain a degree of openness, it significantly narrows the competitive landscape compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The rationale for excluding sources is critical for understanding the true level of competition achieved.

What are the historical spending patterns for AVENZA PDF MAPS or similar software within the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending data for AVENZA PDF MAPS within the Department of the Interior shows a pattern of renewals and task orders, indicating consistent use of the software. The total value of this current five-year renewal ($412,662.48) suggests a significant investment. Prior to this, spending would have been on previous contract vehicles or task orders for the same software. Analyzing past spending trends would reveal the average annual expenditure, the duration of previous contracts, and whether the cost has remained relatively stable or increased over time. This context is crucial for evaluating the current renewal's financial appropriateness.

Are there any performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract that indicate the software's effectiveness?

The provided data summary does not include specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, such details would be found within the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS). SLAs often define expected uptime, response times for support, and other quality standards. Without this information, it is difficult to quantitatively assess the software's effectiveness or the vendor's adherence to service quality. The renewal itself implies a level of satisfaction, but objective performance data would provide a more robust evaluation.

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: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9658 BALTIMORE AVE STE 300, COLLEGE PARK, MD, 20740

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $412,662

Exercised Options: $412,662

Current Obligation: $412,662

Actual Outlays: $315,819

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD76B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline