National Gallery of Art Awards $7.1M for SAN Drive Carriers, Sole Source Purchase Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,104 ($7.1K)

Contractor: Dell Federal Systems L.P

Awarding Agency: National Gallery of Art

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-05-22

Contract Duration: 44 days

Daily Burn Rate: $161/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SAN DRIVE CARRIERS AND DEPLOYMENT

Place of Performance

Location: CHEVERLY, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20785

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Gallery of Art obligated $7,104.25 to DELL FEDERAL SYSTEMS L.P for work described as: SAN DRIVE CARRIERS AND DEPLOYMENT Key points: 1. Significant investment in data storage infrastructure. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award. 4. IT hardware procurement within the cultural sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $7.1M for SAN drive carriers and deployment is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar IT hardware procurements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for this essential IT hardware.

Public Impact

Ensures critical data storage for the National Gallery of Art's digital assets. Supports the operational continuity of the institution's IT systems. Potential for future upgrades or expansions of storage capacity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of price competition
Limited transparency

Positive Signals

Essential IT infrastructure
Clear delivery timeline

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the IT hardware sector, specifically computer storage devices. Spending benchmarks for similar cultural institutions are difficult to ascertain without competitive data, but $7.1M is a considerable sum for this type of equipment.

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 were considered or had the opportunity to bid.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a purchase order, which typically involves less stringent oversight than a full-fledged contract. The lack of competition warrants closer examination by oversight bodies.

Related Government Programs

Computer Storage Device Manufacturing
National Gallery of Art Contracting
National Gallery of Art Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for inflated pricing.
Lack of transparency in procurement process.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Gallery of Art awarded $7,104.25 to DELL FEDERAL SYSTEMS L.P. SAN DRIVE CARRIERS AND DEPLOYMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DELL FEDERAL SYSTEMS L.P.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Gallery of Art (National Gallery of Art).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7,104.25.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-22.

What is the justification for the sole-source award of this significant IT hardware contract?

The justification for a sole-source award is crucial for understanding why competitive bidding was bypassed. Agencies typically cite reasons such as unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available alternatives. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if the decision was prudent or if it represents a missed opportunity for cost savings.

How does the $7.1M price compare to industry benchmarks for similar SAN drive carrier systems?

Comparing the $7.1M price to industry benchmarks is challenging without knowing the specific technical requirements and configurations. However, given the sole-source nature, it's prudent to assume the price might be higher than if it had undergone a competitive bidding process. Further research into comparable government or commercial contracts would be necessary for a more precise assessment.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and longevity of the deployed SAN drive carriers?

Effectiveness and longevity are typically ensured through warranty provisions, service level agreements (SLAs), and the vendor's reputation. The contract details, such as the warranty period and any included support services, would provide insight into these measures. The National Gallery of Art should have internal IT asset management processes to monitor performance and plan for future needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Computer Storage Device Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Francisco Partners Management, L.P.

Address: 1 DELL WAY, ROUND ROCK, TX, 78682

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,104

Exercised Options: $7,104

Current Obligation: $7,104

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline