DOI Spends $3.1M on PRISM Licenses and Support from Unison Software Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,090,422 ($3.1M)

Contractor: Unison Software Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, BUSINESS INTEGRATION OFFICE, PRISM LICENSES, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20192

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.1 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC for work described as: DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, BUSINESS INTEGRATION OFFICE, PRISM LICENSES, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT Key points: 1. Spending on PRISM licenses and support totals $3.1M. 2. Unison Software Inc. is the sole provider for this contract. 3. The contract duration is 729 days. 4. The NAICS code indicates this falls under Software Publishers. 5. The contract is awarded under Full and Open Competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.1M for 729 days of maintenance and support for PRISM licenses appears reasonable given the specialized nature of software. However, without specific feature usage or user counts, 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 a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value is obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for this software acquisition, with the expectation of efficient use through competitive procurement.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of the PRISM system for the Department of the Interior. Supports critical business integration functions within the Department. Maintains access to necessary software licenses and updates.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if PRISM is a proprietary system.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical software support.

Positive Signals

Awarded under Full and Open Competition.
Clear contract duration and delivery order.

Sector Analysis

This spending falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically software publishers. Benchmarks for software maintenance and support contracts vary widely based on software complexity and criticality.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses could have competed for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger agreement, implying some level of pre-qualification. Oversight would focus on performance and adherence to the firm fixed price.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Vendor Lock-in
Sole Source Provider for Support
Potential for Price Increases in Future Renewals
Dependence on Proprietary Software

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.1 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, BUSINESS INTEGRATION OFFICE, PRISM LICENSES, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

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 $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the criticality of the PRISM system to the Department of the Interior's operations?

The criticality of the PRISM system is paramount for the Department of the Interior's business integration functions. It likely supports core processes related to resource management, financial operations, or data analysis, making its continuous availability and support essential for the agency's mission accomplishment.

What are the risks associated with relying on Unison Software Inc. for PRISM support?

The primary risk is vendor lock-in, where the Department becomes dependent on Unison Software Inc. for updates, maintenance, and potential future enhancements. This could lead to increased costs over time or difficulties in migrating to alternative solutions if Unison's pricing or service quality deteriorates.

How effectively does this contract ensure value for taxpayer money?

The contract's value is assessed through its award under Full and Open Competition, which theoretically ensures competitive pricing. However, long-term value depends on the ongoing necessity of PRISM, the quality of support provided by Unison, and whether alternative, potentially more cost-effective solutions exist or emerge.

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

Solicitation ID: 140D0425Q0267

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: $12,203,598

Exercised Options: $3,090,422

Current Obligation: $3,090,422

Actual Outlays: $1,518,628

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00EP

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline