Interior's $476K Software Contract Awarded to VETS, LLC Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $475,938 ($475.9K)

Contractor: Vets, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-11-27

End Date: 2026-11-25

Contract Duration: 728 days

Daily Burn Rate: $654/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: IHS ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE MODELING SOFTWARE (EAMS)

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35805

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $475,938.3 to VETS, LLC for work described as: IHS ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE MODELING SOFTWARE (EAMS) Key points: 1. The Department of the Interior awarded a $475,938 contract for IHS Engineering and Architecture Modeling Software (EAMS). 2. The contract was awarded to VETS, LLC, with a completion date of November 25, 2026. 3. This procurement utilized full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The software falls under the Software Publishers industry (NAICS 513210).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $475,938 for specialized engineering and architecture modeling software appears reasonable given the duration and nature of the product. Benchmarking against similar software licenses and support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting that while sources may have been initially excluded, the final award was made through a competitive process. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through market forces.

Public Impact

Government agencies rely on specialized software for complex engineering and architectural projects. The procurement ensures access to tools necessary for infrastructure design and management. VETS, LLC will provide essential software, potentially impacting project timelines and efficiency. The contract's duration of 728 days suggests ongoing support and potential updates for the software.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 65 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if alternative software solutions are not considered in the future.
Reliance on a single software product could pose risks if the vendor discontinues support or significantly raises prices.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Contract duration provides a stable period for software utilization.
Clear identification of the software product and its purpose.

Sector Analysis

The software falls under the IT sector, specifically software publishing. Spending in this area is critical for government modernization and operational efficiency. Benchmarks for similar software procurements vary widely based on complexity and user base.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific contract award or if VETS, LLC is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract specifies a firm fixed price, which provides cost certainty. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method implies a structured procurement process designed to ensure fairness and value, subject to agency oversight.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Dependence on a single software provider.
Need for clear documentation on source exclusion rationale.
Limited insight into specific software functionalities and their impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $475,938.3 to VETS, LLC. IHS ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE MODELING SOFTWARE (EAMS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $475,938.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-27. End: 2026-11-25.

What specific engineering and architecture modeling capabilities does IHS EAMS provide, and how critical are these to the Department of the Interior's mission?

IHS EAMS likely provides advanced tools for designing, simulating, and analyzing complex engineering and architectural projects, potentially including infrastructure, facilities, or resource management systems. Its criticality depends on the specific departmental offices utilizing it; for example, if involved in major construction, environmental planning, or asset management, its role would be significant in ensuring project feasibility, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.

What was the rationale for excluding certain sources initially, and how did this exclusion impact the final competitive landscape and pricing?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs due to specific technical requirements, existing infrastructure compatibility, or unique capabilities not met by all potential vendors. The rationale needs to be clearly documented to ensure fairness. While exclusion can limit initial competition, the subsequent 'full and open' phase aims to maximize competition among the remaining qualified sources, theoretically driving competitive pricing.

Are there plans for future procurements of similar software, and will the agency consider alternative solutions to ensure ongoing cost-effectiveness and avoid vendor lock-in?

Future procurement plans are not detailed in this data. However, agencies should regularly assess the market for alternative software solutions to ensure they are leveraging the most cost-effective and technologically advanced tools. Conducting market research and considering open-source or competing proprietary software can mitigate vendor lock-in and encourage competitive pricing in subsequent contract actions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3001 9TH AVE SW STE 106, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35805

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,278,854

Exercised Options: $608,673

Current Obligation: $475,938

Actual Outlays: $362,184

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline