Army awards $20.9M for Cisco software and hardware to World Wide Technology LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,903,136 ($20.9M)

Contractor: World Wide Technology LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-05-27

End Date: 2026-05-27

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PROCUREMENT OF COMMERCIAL OFF THE SHELF CISCO FIREPOWER SOFTWARE LICENSES AND 5 YEAR SUPPORT SUBSCRIPTION AND CISCO SOLID-STATE HARD DRIVES (SSD) IN SUPPORT OF THE ARMY PROGRAM MANAGER (PM) WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORKS-TACTICAL (WIN-T).

Place of Performance

Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.9 million to WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY LLC for work described as: PROCUREMENT OF COMMERCIAL OFF THE SHELF CISCO FIREPOWER SOFTWARE LICENSES AND 5 YEAR SUPPORT SUBSCRIPTION AND CISCO SOLID-STATE HARD DRIVES (SSD) IN SUPPORT OF THE ARMY PROGRAM MANAGER (PM) WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORKS-TACTICAL (WIN-T). Key points: 1. The Army procured Cisco software licenses, support, and SSDs for WIN-T. 2. World Wide Technology LLC was the sole awardee. 3. The contract is for five years, ending in May 2026. 4. The total value is $20,903,135.87. 5. This procurement falls under the Software Publishers NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $20.9M for software licenses and hardware over five years appears to be within a reasonable range for enterprise-level IT solutions. However, without specific details on the quantity and type of licenses and hardware, a precise benchmark is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

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 method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to secure favorable terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from competitive bidding, which aims to ensure fair market prices for necessary software and hardware.

Public Impact

Enhances tactical communication capabilities for Army personnel. Supports critical network infrastructure for warfighter information systems. Ensures continued access to essential software and hardware maintenance. Procurement of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items streamlines acquisition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with Cisco products.
Long-term support costs could escalate.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Procurement of COTS items can be efficient.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the IT sector, specifically software publishers. Spending on enterprise software licenses and support is common across government agencies, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific software and scale of deployment.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a component of the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program managers ensuring delivery and adherence to contract terms, with potential for audits by DoD Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Long-term support cost escalation
Reliance on a single vendor for critical components
Lack of specific quantity/configuration details for value assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.9 million to WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY LLC. PROCUREMENT OF COMMERCIAL OFF THE SHELF CISCO FIREPOWER SOFTWARE LICENSES AND 5 YEAR SUPPORT SUBSCRIPTION AND CISCO SOLID-STATE HARD DRIVES (SSD) IN SUPPORT OF THE ARMY PROGRAM MANAGER (PM) WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORKS-TACTICAL (WIN-T).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-27. End: 2026-05-27.

What is the specific quantity and type of Cisco Firepower software licenses and SSDs procured, and how does this compare to market rates for similar quantities?

The provided data lacks specifics on the exact quantities and configurations of Cisco Firepower software licenses and SSDs. To assess value, a detailed breakdown is needed to compare against industry pricing for comparable enterprise-grade hardware and software suites. Without this, it's challenging to definitively state if the $20.9M represents optimal value.

What were the key factors driving the selection of World Wide Technology LLC, and were there any identified risks associated with this sole awardee?

As the contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' the selection of World Wide Technology LLC implies they offered the best value proposition among all bidders. Risks might include potential vendor lock-in with Cisco products, reliance on a single supplier for critical components, and the long-term cost implications of the five-year support subscription.

How does the five-year support subscription for Cisco software and hardware contribute to the overall effectiveness and long-term operational readiness of the Army's WIN-T program?

The five-year support subscription is crucial for ensuring the ongoing effectiveness and operational readiness of the Army's WIN-T program by guaranteeing access to software updates, security patches, and technical assistance. This proactive maintenance minimizes downtime, enhances system performance, and mitigates security vulnerabilities, thereby supporting the warfighter's mission.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 WORLD WIDE WAY, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63146

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,869,617

Exercised Options: $20,903,136

Current Obligation: $20,903,136

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W52P1J20D0069

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline