DOT's FAA awards $87.8K for SolarWinds maintenance, highlighting IT infrastructure support needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $87,808 ($87.8K)

Contractor: CDW Government LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 173 days

Daily Burn Rate: $508/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PURCHASE SOLARWINDS WEB SERVER ANNUAL MAINTENANCE RENEWAL

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20591

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $87,807.87 to CDW GOVERNMENT LLC for work described as: PURCHASE SOLARWINDS WEB SERVER ANNUAL MAINTENANCE RENEWAL Key points: 1. Contract supports critical IT infrastructure, ensuring operational continuity. 2. Annual maintenance renewal indicates ongoing reliance on SolarWinds software. 3. Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this IT service. 4. Competition level suggests a potentially competitive market for such services. 5. Short performance period may indicate a need for immediate support or a phased approach. 6. Geographic location in DC points to federal agency operational presence.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $87.8K for annual maintenance of SolarWinds Web Server is within a reasonable range for enterprise software support. Benchmarking against similar annual maintenance contracts for IT infrastructure software reveals that this price appears competitive, especially considering the fixed-price nature which caps costs. The duration of the contract (approximately 5 months) suggests it might be a partial year renewal or a specific support period, which needs to be considered when comparing to full-year contracts. Without more granular data on the specific modules and support levels included, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the initial indication is positive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competition type suggests that multiple vendors likely participated. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government. The agency's choice of full and open competition implies confidence in the market's ability to provide suitable solutions and pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the potential for the government to secure the best possible pricing and service, ultimately benefiting taxpayers by ensuring funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from uninterrupted IT services. Ensures the continued operation of critical web server functionalities supporting agency operations. Services are delivered within the District of Columbia, supporting federal agency infrastructure. IT support staff and potentially software vendors are impacted by this contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits full assessment of competitive intensity.
The short contract duration (approx. 5 months) warrants understanding the reason for this specific period.
No information on specific support levels or included software modules makes detailed value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Supports essential IT infrastructure for a key federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on software maintenance and support services. The market for IT infrastructure management tools like SolarWinds is substantial, with numerous vendors offering competing solutions and support. Federal agencies frequently procure such services to maintain the operational integrity of their complex IT systems. Comparable spending benchmarks for enterprise software maintenance renewals vary widely based on the software's criticality, user base, and vendor pricing models, but this contract appears to be a modest investment for essential IT support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large businesses were eligible to bid and likely won the contract. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral to potentially negative if larger contracts that could be broken down for small businesses are instead awarded as a whole to large prime contractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle, implying that the underlying contract vehicle likely has established oversight mechanisms. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by capping costs. Transparency is generally good as contract awards are publicly reported. Specific oversight for this particular renewal would depend on the FAA's internal procurement and IT asset management policies. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Software Maintenance
Enterprise IT Management
Network Monitoring Software
Cloud Infrastructure Services
Cybersecurity Software Support

Risk Flags

Potential vendor lock-in with SolarWinds software.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT monitoring functions.
Short contract duration may indicate a need for further clarification on long-term strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $87,807.87 to CDW GOVERNMENT LLC. PURCHASE SOLARWINDS WEB SERVER ANNUAL MAINTENANCE RENEWAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CDW GOVERNMENT LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $87,807.87.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of CDW GOVERNMENT LLC in providing IT maintenance services to federal agencies?

CDW GOVERNMENT LLC is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of providing IT products and services to various federal agencies. They are known for their broad catalog of IT solutions, including software, hardware, and related support services. Their track record typically involves fulfilling numerous contracts, often through large contract vehicles like GSA schedules. While specific performance metrics for individual contracts are not always publicly detailed, their consistent presence and awards suggest a generally reliable performance history. However, as with any large contractor, specific contract performance can vary, and a deeper dive into past performance reviews or past performance information retrieval system (PPIRS) data would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their performance on similar IT maintenance contracts.

How does the annual cost of this SolarWinds maintenance compare to similar contracts for other federal agencies?

Comparing the $87.8K annual cost for SolarWinds Web Server maintenance requires context regarding the specific modules, user count, and support level. However, general benchmarks for enterprise IT management software maintenance renewals indicate that this figure is within a reasonable range for a single server or a limited deployment. Larger agencies with extensive SolarWinds deployments often spend significantly more, sometimes in the millions annually. For instance, a contract covering multiple modules (e.g., Network Performance Monitor, Server & Application Monitor, Log Analyzer) for thousands of nodes could easily exceed several hundred thousand dollars. This specific award's value suggests it might be for a smaller instance, a specific component, or a partial year's renewal, making it appear cost-effective in isolation but requiring comparison with contracts of similar scope and duration for a precise value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor like SolarWinds for critical IT infrastructure monitoring?

Relying on a single vendor like SolarWinds for critical IT infrastructure monitoring presents several risks. Vendor lock-in is a primary concern, making it difficult and costly to switch to alternative solutions if pricing increases significantly or if the vendor's product roadmap no longer aligns with the agency's needs. Dependence on a single vendor also concentrates risk; if SolarWinds experiences a major outage, security breach, or discontinues a key product, the FAA's monitoring capabilities could be severely impacted. Furthermore, the maintenance renewal itself represents a recurring cost that, while necessary for support and updates, diverts funds that could potentially be used for innovation or diversification of IT tools. Ensuring robust service level agreements (SLAs) and maintaining strong vendor relationships are crucial mitigation strategies.

What is the historical spending pattern for SolarWinds maintenance by the Federal Aviation Administration?

Analyzing the historical spending pattern for SolarWinds maintenance by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires access to historical contract data. Without direct access to a comprehensive database of past FAA procurements for SolarWinds, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, it is common for federal agencies to maintain multi-year contracts for essential IT software like SolarWinds, given its role in network and system monitoring. Spending typically occurs annually or through multi-year agreements with annual payment schedules. Fluctuations in spending could be attributed to changes in software licensing (e.g., adding or removing modules, increasing user/node counts), shifts in IT infrastructure, or changes in contract vehicles used for procurement. This $87.8K award for a renewal suggests a continuation of existing support, implying prior spending on this or similar SolarWinds services.

How does the fixed-price contract type influence the government's risk and potential cost savings for this IT maintenance?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as indicated for this SolarWinds maintenance renewal, offers significant advantages for the government in terms of cost control and risk management. The primary benefit is cost certainty; the price is set and will not increase, regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred during performance. This eliminates the risk of cost overruns for the government related to labor rates, material costs, or unforeseen inefficiencies on the contractor's part. For routine services like software maintenance renewals, where the scope of work is well-defined and predictable, FFP is generally the preferred contract type. It incentivizes the contractor to manage its own costs efficiently to maximize profit. The government's main risk shifts from cost overrun to ensuring the contractor meets the defined service levels and quality standards.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 230 N MILWAUKEE AVE, VERNON HILLS, IL, 60061

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $87,808

Exercised Options: $87,808

Current Obligation: $87,808

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 697DCK22D00001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline