GSA awards $2.2M Adobe Acrobat software suite contract to BAHFED CORP for 3 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,209,874 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Bahfed Corp

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-02-28

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/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: THIS AWARD IS FOR ADOBE ACROBAT SW SUITE.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2.2 million to BAHFED CORP for work described as: THIS AWARD IS FOR ADOBE ACROBAT SW SUITE. Key points: 1. Software licensing represents a significant portion of federal IT spending. 2. The contract utilizes a firm-fixed-price structure, providing cost certainty. 3. Competition was conducted under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' suggesting a potentially complex procurement process. 4. The contract duration is 1096 days, aligning with typical software renewal cycles. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 indicates a broad scope within 'Other Computer Related Services'. 6. The award was made via a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific Adobe Acrobat software suite contract is challenging without knowing the exact user count and specific modules licensed. However, federal agencies are significant purchasers of enterprise software, and pricing can vary widely based on volume discounts and negotiated terms. The $2.2 million over three years suggests a substantial deployment. Comparing this to other large-scale software procurements would be necessary for a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price nature provides predictability, but the ultimate value depends on utilization and whether more cost-effective alternatives were considered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This specific procurement method indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources may have been excluded for reasons not detailed in the provided data. This could imply a pre-existing relationship or specific technical requirements that limited the pool of eligible bidders. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to fully assess the level of competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'exclusion of sources' aspect warrants further investigation to ensure taxpayers received the best possible pricing. A limited competitive pool could potentially lead to higher costs compared to a truly open bid process.

Public Impact

Federal employees across various agencies will benefit from access to Adobe Acrobat software for document creation, editing, and management. The services delivered are the provision of software licenses and potentially associated support for the Adobe Acrobat suite. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal operations across different locations. The contract supports the federal workforce by providing essential digital tools for administrative and operational tasks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type raises questions about the breadth of competition and potential cost implications for taxpayers.
Lack of specific details on user count and software modules makes it difficult to ascertain true value for money.
The reliance on a single vendor for a critical software suite could pose long-term dependency risks.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
The award is for a widely used and essential software tool, supporting federal productivity.
The contract duration aligns with typical software lifecycle management.

Sector Analysis

The federal government is a massive consumer of software, with IT spending representing a significant portion of the overall budget. This contract falls within the broader 'Other Computer Related Services' category, which encompasses a wide range of IT support and software provision. The market for enterprise software, particularly document management solutions like Adobe Acrobat, is dominated by a few major players. Federal agencies often leverage large-scale enterprise agreements to achieve economies of scale, but the specific procurement method here suggests a more tailored approach.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, BAHFED CORP, is not identified as a small business in this context. The impact on the small business ecosystem is indirect, as this award does not prioritize small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Office of Administrative Services. As a delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ contract, oversight mechanisms would be tied to the terms of that master contract. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, but detailed performance metrics and utilization data are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule Contracts
Software Licensing Agreements
Enterprise Software Procurement
Digital Document Management Solutions

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion
Lack of detailed software module and user count information
Potential for higher costs compared to fully open competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2.2 million to BAHFED CORP. THIS AWARD IS FOR ADOBE ACROBAT SW SUITE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAHFED CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Office of Administrative Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-28. End: 2027-02-28.

What specific Adobe Acrobat modules and user licenses are included in this $2.2 million award?

The provided data does not specify the exact Adobe Acrobat modules (e.g., Standard, Pro, Reader) or the number of user licenses covered by this $2.2 million contract. This information is crucial for a precise value-for-money assessment. Federal agencies typically procure software based on user counts and feature requirements. Without this detail, it's impossible to benchmark the per-user cost against market rates or similar government contracts. The General Services Administration (GSA) likely has this information within the contract's statement of work, but it is not publicly disclosed in the award abstract. Understanding the specific offering is key to evaluating if the price reflects the actual software and services provided.

How does the pricing of this Adobe Acrobat suite compare to other federal or commercial procurements for similar software?

Direct price comparison is difficult without knowing the specific Adobe Acrobat version, number of licenses, and contract type (e.g., perpetual vs. subscription, support levels). However, federal agencies often negotiate volume discounts through GSA Schedules or other enterprise agreements. The $2.2 million over three years suggests a significant deployment. If this were a standard enterprise license agreement for a large number of users, the cost per user might be competitive. However, if it covers a smaller user base or includes premium features, the cost could be higher. Benchmarking against publicly available GSA Schedule pricing for Adobe products or analyzing historical GSA awards for similar software would provide a more concrete comparison point to assess value for money.

What are the specific risks associated with this contract, given the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' designation?

The designation 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' introduces a layer of complexity and potential risk. It implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain potential bidders were deliberately excluded. The reasons for exclusion are not provided but could range from specific technical requirements that only a few vendors could meet, to proprietary technology, or even pre-existing relationships. This exclusion inherently limits the competitive landscape, potentially leading to higher prices than if all qualified sources were allowed to bid. It also raises questions about the thoroughness of market research and whether the government truly secured the best possible value. Further investigation into the justification for excluding sources would be necessary to fully assess the associated risks.

What is the track record of BAHFED CORP in delivering similar IT software contracts to the federal government?

Information regarding BAHFED CORP's specific track record with federal IT software contracts is not detailed in the provided award abstract. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG to review past awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any reported issues. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability, experience with similar software suites, and overall past performance. A positive track record would increase confidence in the successful execution of this Adobe Acrobat contract, while a history of issues might signal potential risks.

How does this contract align with the General Services Administration's (GSA) broader IT procurement strategies and spending patterns?

This contract aligns with the GSA's role as a primary procurement vehicle for federal agencies acquiring IT products and services. GSA actively manages schedules and contracts for software licensing to achieve economies of scale and streamline purchasing. The award of an Adobe Acrobat suite contract reflects the ongoing federal need for essential productivity software. GSA's strategy often emphasizes leveraging competition, promoting cloud solutions, and ensuring fair pricing. While the specific 'exclusion of sources' aspect might warrant scrutiny, the overall act of procuring widely used software through GSA is consistent with their mission to provide efficient and cost-effective solutions to the government.

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: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 SW BROADWAY STE 1110, PORTLAND, OR, 97205

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,272,109

Exercised Options: $2,209,874

Current Obligation: $2,209,874

Actual Outlays: $1,338,584

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD09B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline