DOT awards $33.7K for QT License Subscription, highlighting enterprise application development needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,680 ($33.7K)

Contractor: Microtechnologies LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-29

Contract Duration: 385 days

Daily Burn Rate: $87/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: QT LICENSE SUBSCRIPTION FOR APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE (QTY.7)

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTIC CITY, ATLANTIC County, NEW JERSEY, 08405

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $33,680.15 to MICROTECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: QT LICENSE SUBSCRIPTION FOR APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE (QTY.7) Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope for application development tools. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating a healthy market for these services. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance is expected over approximately 1.3 years, aligning with typical software subscription cycles. 5. The award to Microtechnologies LLC contributes to the IT services sector's activity. 6. This purchase supports the Federal Aviation Administration's operational capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $33,680.15 for seven licenses appears reasonable for enterprise application development software. Benchmarking against similar enterprise license subscriptions is difficult without specific product details, but the price per license is approximately $4,811. Given the fixed-price nature, the government has a clear understanding of the cost. The duration of the contract, extending into late 2027, provides a stable period for utilizing these development tools.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $4,811 per license (7 licenses total).

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition indicates a robust market for this type of software license.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from access to essential application development tools. This contract supports the development and maintenance of critical software applications used by the FAA. The geographic impact is primarily within the FAA's operational areas, likely supporting IT staff in New Jersey. Workforce implications include enabling IT professionals to utilize advanced development platforms.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the subscription is not managed effectively.
Risk of underutilization of licenses if development needs change.
Dependency on vendor for updates and support, which could impact development timelines.

Positive Signals

Access to up-to-date development tools can enhance productivity and software quality.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market, potentially leading to better value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on software licensing for application development. The market for enterprise development tools is substantial, with numerous vendors offering platforms, IDEs, and related subscriptions. This particular award represents a small fraction of overall federal IT spending but is crucial for enabling specific development projects within the FAA. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific software product and its features.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Microtechnologies LLC's size status is not provided. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this award notice. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific contract, given its focused nature and lack of set-aside provisions.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, implying that oversight mechanisms are in place at the prime contract level. The fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract award data. Specific details on ongoing performance monitoring or Inspector General jurisdiction for this particular delivery order would typically be managed through the FAA's contracting officer and program managers.

Related Government Programs

Software Licensing
Application Development Tools
IT Services
Enterprise Software

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Risk of underutilization of licenses
Dependency on vendor support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $33,680.15 to MICROTECHNOLOGIES LLC. QT LICENSE SUBSCRIPTION FOR APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE (QTY.7)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MICROTECHNOLOGIES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33,680.15.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-29.

What specific application development platform or tools does this 'QT LICENSE SUBSCRIPTION' refer to, and what is the track record of Microtechnologies LLC in providing such solutions?

The provided data does not specify the exact 'QT' application development platform or tools. 'QT' could refer to the Qt framework, a popular cross-platform application development framework, or another proprietary system. Microtechnologies LLC is a government contractor, but their specific track record with this particular type of license or development tool is not detailed in this award notice. Further investigation into Microtechnologies' past performance and the specific software product would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and the value proposition. The contract's duration and fixed price suggest a standard subscription model, but the criticality of the software to FAA operations warrants a deeper understanding of the vendor's capabilities and the product's features.

How does the per-unit cost of approximately $4,811 per license compare to market rates for similar enterprise application development software subscriptions?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost of approximately $4,811 requires knowing the specific software product. If 'QT' refers to the Qt framework's commercial licenses, this price could be within the expected range for enterprise-level subscriptions that include support and advanced features, especially when purchased in bulk. However, prices for development tools vary significantly based on features, user type (developer vs. designer), included modules, and support levels. Without knowing the exact product and its feature set, a definitive comparison to market rates is challenging. A full and open competition award suggests the government likely received competitive bids, implying the price is reasonable within the context of the bidding process.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering it's a software subscription for application development?

Key risks include potential vendor lock-in, where the FAA becomes heavily reliant on a specific platform or vendor, making future transitions costly. There's also a risk of underutilization if the development needs change or if the software proves less effective than anticipated, leading to wasted expenditure. Dependency on the vendor for timely updates, bug fixes, and technical support poses another risk, potentially impacting development timelines and project success. Furthermore, if the software is critical for ongoing operations, any disruption in service or support from Microtechnologies LLC could have significant operational consequences for the FAA.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the Federal Aviation Administration's ability to develop and maintain its applications?

This contract is expected to positively impact the FAA's application development capabilities by providing access to necessary tools and licenses. The subscription ensures that FAA developers have the resources required to build, test, and deploy software applications, potentially improving efficiency and the quality of software products. The fixed-price nature and the duration of the contract offer cost predictability for the FAA's IT budget related to these development tools. Ultimately, this supports the FAA's mission by enabling the modernization and maintenance of its critical IT systems.

How does this contract fit into the broader context of federal IT spending on software and application development services?

This contract, valued at $33,680.15, represents a very small portion of overall federal IT spending, which runs into billions of dollars annually. Federal agencies procure a vast array of software licenses and development services to support their diverse missions. This specific award highlights the ongoing need for specialized tools to facilitate application development within agencies like the FAA. While modest in value, it is indicative of the continuous investment required in IT infrastructure and development capabilities to maintain and modernize government systems.

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: 8330 BOONE BLVD STE 600, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,680

Exercised Options: $33,680

Current Obligation: $33,680

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 697DCK22D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline