Interior Department awards $11.5M for PRISM software to Unison Software Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,507,818 ($11.5M)

Contractor: Unison Software Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-07-29

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 2,109 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PROVIDING PRISM FOR FRTIB CUSTOMER

Place of Performance

Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $11.5 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC for work described as: PROVIDING PRISM FOR FRTIB CUSTOMER Key points: 1. The contract is for PRISM software, likely a critical system for FRTIB. 2. Unison Software Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract spans over 5 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The sector is Software Publishers, a key area for government IT.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $11.5M over 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking is difficult without specific software features and usage metrics, but the price appears reasonable for enterprise software.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the award is a delivery order, implying a potential existing contract vehicle was utilized.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award aims to secure fair pricing for taxpayers, though the specific savings are not detailed.

Public Impact

Ensures continued access to essential PRISM software for FRTIB operations. Supports government's reliance on specialized software for financial and administrative functions. Potential for future enhancements or related services under this contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on software functionality and user base.
Delivery order award may limit direct comparison to other similar procurements.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Long-term contract provides stability for software provision.

Sector Analysis

The Software Publishers sector is vital for government operations, providing tools for data management, analysis, and administrative tasks. Benchmarks vary widely based on software type and scale.

Small Business Impact

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

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, suggesting oversight may be managed at a higher contract level. Transparency on performance metrics and vendor compliance is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if PRISM is highly specialized.
Long contract duration may not adapt to rapidly changing technology.
Limited visibility into specific software performance metrics.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $11.5 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC. PROVIDING PRISM FOR FRTIB CUSTOMER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNISON SOFTWARE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-29. End: 2026-05-08.

What specific functionalities does PRISM software provide to FRTIB, and how critical are these to their mission?

PRISM software likely provides critical functions for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB), potentially related to managing retirement assets, participant data, or investment operations. Understanding these specific capabilities is key to assessing the value and necessity of this $11.5M award over its 5-year duration.

What was the competitive landscape during the bidding process for this delivery order, and were there any challenges to full and open competition?

While listed as 'full and open competition,' the fact that this is a delivery order suggests it might be against an existing contract vehicle. Investigating the original solicitation and the number of bids received for that vehicle would clarify the true competitive intensity and whether alternative solutions were adequately considered.

How does the per-unit cost or overall value of this contract compare to similar software procurements within the federal government?

Benchmarking this $11.5M contract is challenging without detailed specifications of the PRISM software's features, user licenses, and support levels. A comprehensive comparison would require analyzing contracts for comparable enterprise resource planning (ERP) or specialized financial management software procured by agencies of similar size and mission.

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

Solicitation ID: 140D0420Q0228

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation

Address: 8444 WESTPARK DR STE 920, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,552,443

Exercised Options: $11,552,443

Current Obligation: $11,507,818

Actual Outlays: $11,381,748

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00EP

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline