NIH awards $361K BPA Call to Dell Federal Systems for software, exceeding initial estimates
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $361,707 ($361.7K)
Contractor: Dell Marketing L.P.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2020-06-26
End Date: 2021-09-30
Contract Duration: 461 days
Daily Burn Rate: $785/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: DELL FEDERAL SYSTEMS L.P.:1150417 [19-000468]
Place of Performance
Location: DERWOOD, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20855
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $361,706.58 to DELL MARKETING L.P. for work described as: DELL FEDERAL SYSTEMS L.P.:1150417 [19-000468] Key points: 1. Value appears reasonable given the software licensing and support scope. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration and firm fixed price mitigate cost overrun risks. 4. Performance period aligns with typical software refresh cycles. 5. This contract falls within the broader IT software and licensing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $361,706.58 for software licensing and support appears to be within a reasonable range for a federal contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar software procurements by agencies like NIH or other health-focused organizations would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, which is a positive indicator for value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which should lead to more favorable pricing for the government. The use of a BPA Call suggests it was a competitive call against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down prices through market forces, ensuring federal dollars are used efficiently.
Public Impact
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from access to necessary software. Users within NIH will receive software licenses and potentially support services. The primary geographic impact is within Maryland, where NIH facilities are located. No direct workforce implications are immediately apparent from this software purchase.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost uncertainty.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive market.
- BPA Call mechanism can streamline procurement for recurring needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically software publishers and licensing. The federal government is a significant purchaser of software, with spending often concentrated on enterprise-wide licenses, operating systems, and specialized scientific or administrative applications. Benchmarks for similar software procurements can vary widely based on the type of software and the volume purchased.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have a small business subcontracting plan explicitly mentioned. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor has a history of engaging small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a BPA Call against an existing BPA, implying that the initial BPA likely underwent a thorough review and oversight process. The firm fixed-price nature simplifies oversight by focusing on delivery rather than cost justification. Transparency is generally good for federal contracts, with data available through public databases.
Related Government Programs
- Software and Licensing
- IT Services
- Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Tags
it, software, dell-federal-systems-l.p., department-of-health-and-human-services, national-institutes-of-health, maryland, bpa-call, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, naics-511210, software-publishers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $361,706.58 to DELL MARKETING L.P.. DELL FEDERAL SYSTEMS L.P.:1150417 [19-000468]
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DELL MARKETING L.P..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $361,706.58.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-06-26. End: 2021-09-30.
What specific software products or suites were procured under this BPA Call?
The provided data does not specify the exact software products or suites procured under this BPA Call. It only indicates the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 511210 for 'Software Publishers,' suggesting the contract was for software licenses, subscriptions, or related services. To determine the specific software, one would need to consult the detailed contract award documents or the underlying BPA, which are not included in the provided snippet.
How does the award amount compare to the total value of the parent BPA?
The provided data snippet focuses on a single BPA Call award of $361,706.58. It does not contain information about the total value or scope of the parent Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) under which this call was made. BPAs can have significant ceiling values, and individual calls represent specific orders placed against that agreement. Without details on the parent BPA's total authorized amount, a direct comparison of this award's value to the overall BPA value is not possible.
What is the track record of Dell Federal Systems L.P. with NIH and similar agencies?
Dell Federal Systems L.P. has a significant track record of contracting with U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), of which NIH is a part. Analyzing their past performance with NIH would involve reviewing contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues. Generally, large IT vendors like Dell have numerous contracts across various agencies, covering hardware, software, and services. Their overall performance history with NIH would indicate reliability and adherence to contract terms.
Were there any performance issues or contract modifications during the period of performance?
The provided data snippet does not include details on contract modifications or performance issues. The contract was active from June 26, 2020, to September 30, 2021, a period of approximately 15 months. To assess performance and identify any modifications, one would need to access the full contract file or award modification records. Such information is typically available through federal procurement data systems and would detail any changes to scope, price, or schedule, as well as any documented performance concerns.
What is the typical spending pattern for software publishers (NAICS 511210) at NIH?
NIH, as a major research and health agency, consistently spends significant amounts on software licenses and subscriptions to support its vast research, data analysis, and administrative functions. Spending patterns for software publishers (NAICS 511210) at NIH typically involve enterprise agreements for operating systems, productivity suites, specialized scientific software (e.g., statistical analysis, bioinformatics), and database management tools. Historical data would show fluctuations based on technology refreshes, new research initiatives, and agency-wide software consolidation efforts. This $361K award represents a relatively small portion of NIH's overall IT software budget.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Francisco Partners Management, L.P.
Address: ONE DELL WAY, ROUND ROCK, TX, 78682
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $361,707
Exercised Options: $361,707
Current Obligation: $361,707
Actual Outlays: $260,427
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N98019A00012
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-06-26
Current End Date: 2021-09-30
Potential End Date: 2021-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-12
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