DOT awards $6,089.55 for UnitySync software to support FAA, OIG, and USMMA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,090 ($6.1K)

Contractor: Software Information Resource Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-06-12

End Date: 2026-06-11

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: OCIO IS PURCHASING UNITYSYNC SOFTWARE TO SERVE THE FAA, OIG, AND USMMA. THIS CONTRACT RESULTS OF SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP. (SIRC)'S QUOTE NO. D24-D1896 AND AWARDS $2,832.28 FOR A PERFORMANCE PERIOD OF 6/12/2024 - 6/11/2025.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20037

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $6,089.55 to SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP. for work described as: OCIO IS PURCHASING UNITYSYNC SOFTWARE TO SERVE THE FAA, OIG, AND USMMA. THIS CONTRACT RESULTS OF SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP. (SIRC)'S QUOTE NO. D24-D1896 AND AWARDS $2,832.28 FOR A PERFORMANCE PERIOD OF 6/12/2024 - 6/11/2025. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on acquiring UnitySync software, a specialized tool for information management. 2. The award was made following a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. The total value of the contract is relatively small, suggesting a targeted procurement for specific software needs. 4. The performance period spans one year, from June 2024 to June 2025. 5. The software will be utilized by multiple agencies within the Department of Transportation, including the FAA, OIG, and USMMA. 6. The procurement falls under the 'Other Computer Related Services' category, highlighting its IT focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6,089.55 is very low, making direct comparison to larger software contracts difficult. However, for a single-year software license and support, this amount appears reasonable, especially considering it was awarded after a competitive process. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for the government.

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.' This implies that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria, possibly related to the specialized nature of the software. The presence of 4 bids suggests a degree of competition, which is generally favorable for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards. The multiple bids indicate that the government likely received competitive offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), who will gain access to UnitySync software. The software is intended to support information management and operational needs within these agencies. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contract is registered. There are no immediate workforce implications mentioned, as this is a software procurement rather than a service contract involving significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if UnitySync becomes deeply integrated without viable alternatives.
Reliance on a single software solution could pose risks if the vendor experiences financial instability or discontinues the product.

Positive Signals

The use of a competitive bidding process helps ensure a fair market price.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for re-evaluation of needs and solutions in the future.
The software supports critical agencies within the DOT, indicating its importance for government operations.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of UnitySync software falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically under 'Other Computer Related Services.' This market is characterized by a wide range of software solutions for data management, collaboration, and operational efficiency. The contract value is minimal in the context of the overall IT spending by the federal government, which runs into billions annually for software and related services.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). The prime contractor, Software Information Resource Corp. (SIRC), is likely a small business given the contract value, but the award itself was not specifically targeted to small businesses. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the contracting agency's internal procurement and financial management systems. Given that the FAA and OIG are involved, the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (OIG) may have oversight responsibilities related to the proper use and effectiveness of the software. Transparency is limited due to the small contract value and specialized nature, but the award details are publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Software Procurement
Information Management Systems
DOT Agency Support Contracts
UnitySync Software Licenses

Risk Flags

Low Contract Value
Specialized Software Procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $6,089.55 to SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP.. OCIO IS PURCHASING UNITYSYNC SOFTWARE TO SERVE THE FAA, OIG, AND USMMA. THIS CONTRACT RESULTS OF SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP. (SIRC)'S QUOTE NO. D24-D1896 AND AWARDS $2,832.28 FOR A PERFORMANCE PERIOD OF 6/12/2024 - 6/11/2025.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOFTWARE INFORMATION RESOURCE CORP..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,089.55.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-12. End: 2026-06-11.

What is the track record of Software Information Resource Corp. (SIRC) with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Software Information Resource Corp. (SIRC) with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. The data only indicates that SIRC provided the quote leading to this specific award. A comprehensive analysis would require searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for SIRC's past performance, including the number and value of previous awards, agencies served, and types of goods or services provided. This would help assess their experience and reliability as a federal contractor.

How does the cost of UnitySync software compare to similar information management solutions?

Direct comparison of the cost of UnitySync software to similar solutions is challenging without knowing the specific features and capabilities of UnitySync and the market rates for comparable software. The contract value of $6,089.55 is very low, suggesting it might be for a limited number of licenses or a specific module. Benchmarking would require identifying competing software products that offer similar functionalities for information management, collaboration, or workflow automation within government agencies. Factors like user count, feature sets, integration capabilities, and support levels would need to be considered for a meaningful cost-benefit analysis.

What are the primary risks associated with this software procurement?

The primary risks associated with this software procurement are relatively low due to the small contract value and short performance period. However, potential risks include vendor viability (i.e., the financial stability and continued support of Software Information Resource Corp.), potential integration challenges with existing agency IT infrastructure, and the risk of the software not meeting the specific operational needs of the FAA, OIG, and USMMA despite the competitive process. Ensuring adequate technical support and user training will be crucial to mitigate adoption risks.

How effective is UnitySync software expected to be for the FAA, OIG, and USMMA?

The expected effectiveness of UnitySync software for the FAA, OIG, and USMMA cannot be determined solely from the contract award data. Effectiveness is contingent on the software's ability to meet the specific requirements outlined in the procurement and the agencies' internal processes for adoption and utilization. Since the contract resulted from a competitive bid, it suggests that SIRC's offering was deemed suitable and cost-effective among the bidders. Post-award monitoring and user feedback would be necessary to assess its actual effectiveness in improving information management or operational efficiency.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar software within the Department of Transportation?

Historical spending patterns for similar software within the Department of Transportation (DOT) are not detailed in the provided data. This award of $6,089.55 is a very small amount in the context of overall federal IT spending. To understand historical patterns, one would need to analyze past DOT procurements for information management software, collaboration tools, or other IT services categorized under NAICS code 541519 ('Other Computer Related Services'). This analysis would involve looking at contract values, contract types, vendors, and the specific agencies within DOT that made such purchases over several fiscal years.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: 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: 730 24TH ST NW STE 3, WASHINGTON, DC, 20037

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,836

Exercised Options: $6,090

Current Obligation: $6,090

Actual Outlays: $6,090

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD74B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline