Agriculture's $2.29M NetApp Software Maintenance Contract Awarded to FCN, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,289,138 ($2.3M)

Contractor: FCN, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-04-16

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,475 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NETAPP ONCOMMAND/CLOUD INSIGHTS SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE FOR OCIO DISC

Place of Performance

Location: KANSAS CITY, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64114

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.3 million to FCN, INC. for work described as: NETAPP ONCOMMAND/CLOUD INSIGHTS SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE FOR OCIO DISC Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.29 million for NetApp software maintenance. 2. FCN, Inc. secured the award under full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is over 4 years, ending April 2026. 4. This spending falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.29 million for software maintenance appears reasonable given the multi-year duration. Benchmarking against similar NetApp maintenance contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.

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, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential software maintenance, ensuring operational continuity for the OCIO DISC.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical IT infrastructure for the Department of Agriculture. Supports the Office of the Chief Financial Officer's digital services. Provides access to software updates and technical support for NetApp solutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with specialized software maintenance.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical software support.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically software maintenance and support. Spending benchmarks for similar government IT maintenance contracts vary widely based on software complexity and vendor.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting or prime award. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Agriculture's OCIO DISC. Standard government oversight processes for contract performance and financial management would apply.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Office of the Chief Financial Officer Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may limit flexibility.
Potential for price increases in future renewals.
Dependence on vendor for critical software updates and security patches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.3 million to FCN, INC.. NETAPP ONCOMMAND/CLOUD INSIGHTS SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE FOR OCIO DISC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FCN, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-16. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific NetApp software being maintained and its criticality to OCIO DISC operations?

The specific NetApp software is identified as OnCommand/Cloud Insights. This software is crucial for managing and optimizing storage infrastructure and cloud environments, directly supporting the operational continuity and efficiency of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer's Digital Services (OCIO DISC).

Are there any identified risks associated with the long-term maintenance agreement for this software?

Potential risks include vendor lock-in, where switching to alternative solutions becomes costly and complex. Additionally, reliance on a single vendor for critical software support can create vulnerabilities if the vendor experiences financial instability or discontinues support for specific versions.

How does the pricing of this maintenance contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar NetApp solutions?

Without specific details on the software version, support level, and number of licenses, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the $2.29 million over approximately 4 years suggests a significant investment. A detailed cost-benefit analysis against market rates for comparable NetApp maintenance agreements is recommended.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2600 TOWER OAKS BLVD STE 575, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,866,344

Exercised Options: $2,289,138

Current Obligation: $2,289,138

Actual Outlays: $2,289,138

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC71B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline