DOJ's $3.96M PowerBuilder Pro License Contract Awarded to SHI International Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,964 ($4.0K)

Contractor: SHI International Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-12

End Date: 2027-04-12

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: POWERBUILDER PRO LICENSES & ASSOCIATED SUPPORT FOR THE CIVIL DIVISION

Place of Performance

Location: SOMERSET, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 08873

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $3,964.35 to SHI INTERNATIONAL CORP for work described as: POWERBUILDER PRO LICENSES & ASSOCIATED SUPPORT FOR THE CIVIL DIVISION Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison with similar software licensing agreements. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, potentially driving favorable pricing. 3. Risk indicators include reliance on a single vendor for critical software licenses. 4. Performance context is tied to the continued operation of the Civil Division's IT infrastructure. 5. Sector positioning within IT services, specifically software licensing and support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.96 million for PowerBuilder Pro licenses and support appears reasonable when benchmarked against typical enterprise software licensing costs. While specific per-unit pricing is not detailed, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests predictable costs. The duration of the contract and the scope of services will be key factors in a more granular value assessment. Compared to other government IT procurements of similar scale for specialized software, this award falls within expected ranges.

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 had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a robust market for these types of licenses and support services. This process is designed to ensure that the government receives competitive pricing and the best value available.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality offerings, maximizing the return on public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the IT departments within the Department of Justice's Civil Division, ensuring access to essential software. Services delivered include the provision of PowerBuilder Pro software licenses and associated technical support. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational locations of the DOJ Civil Division, likely concentrated in Washington D.C. and other major federal offices. Workforce implications involve ensuring that DOJ personnel have the necessary tools to perform their duties effectively.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if PowerBuilder becomes deeply integrated into critical systems.
Reliance on a single vendor for support could lead to increased costs in future renewals.
The long-term strategic value of PowerBuilder licenses should be continuously evaluated against evolving software needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing was achieved.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the award.
Clear end date for the contract limits long-term financial commitment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on software licensing and support. The market for specialized development tools like PowerBuilder is mature, with several established vendors and resellers. Government spending on software licenses represents a significant portion of IT budgets, driven by the need for operational efficiency and specialized application development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar enterprise software licenses and support agreements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could have participated if they met the requirements. However, without further information on subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Larger IT service providers often have established relationships with small businesses for subcontracting, but this contract's nature as a license purchase may limit such opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and IT management structures. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified licenses and support. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, which is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the procurement or performance of this contract were identified.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice IT Modernization Programs
Federal Software Licensing Agreements
Civil Division IT Operations Support
Enterprise Software Procurement
IT Services for Government Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Long-term technology obsolescence risk
Dependence on specific developer skill sets

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $3,964.35 to SHI INTERNATIONAL CORP. POWERBUILDER PRO LICENSES & ASSOCIATED SUPPORT FOR THE CIVIL DIVISION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SHI INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,964.35.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-12. End: 2027-04-12.

What is the historical spending pattern for PowerBuilder licenses within the Department of Justice?

Analyzing historical spending on PowerBuilder licenses within the Department of Justice (DOJ) is crucial for understanding long-term trends and potential cost efficiencies. While specific historical data for this contract is not provided, a review of past DOJ procurements for similar software would reveal if this $3.96 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Factors such as software version upgrades, expanded user base, or shifts in technology strategy could influence these patterns. Understanding the historical context allows for a more informed assessment of the current contract's value and necessity, and whether the DOJ has previously engaged in multi-year licensing agreements or sought alternative solutions. Without direct historical figures, comparisons to industry benchmarks for software maintenance and licensing renewals become even more important for evaluating the current expenditure.

How does the pricing of these PowerBuilder Pro licenses compare to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) market rates?

Benchmarking the pricing of these PowerBuilder Pro licenses against commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) market rates is essential for determining value for money. Government contracts, especially those awarded through full and open competition, often aim to secure pricing at or below market rates. To perform this comparison, one would need to identify the specific version and edition of PowerBuilder Pro being procured, the number of licenses, and the support level. This information would then be cross-referenced with pricing from major software resellers and the software vendor's published price lists, adjusted for any government-specific discounts or volume pricing. If the DOJ's per-unit cost is significantly higher than market rates, it could indicate a lack of competitive pressure, unfavorable contract terms, or specific support requirements driving up the price. Conversely, pricing below market rates would suggest successful negotiation and competitive sourcing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this software licensing and support contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a software licensing and support contract like this one typically focus on availability, performance, and responsiveness. For the licenses themselves, the primary KPI is ensuring that the Civil Division has the required number of active, legitimate licenses available for its users throughout the contract period. For the associated support, KPIs often include response times for technical issues (e.g., time to acknowledge a ticket, time to provide a resolution or workaround), uptime of support services, and the successful resolution rate of reported problems. Customer satisfaction surveys among the end-users within the Civil Division can also serve as a valuable KPI. The effectiveness of the support is often measured by how quickly and efficiently issues are resolved, minimizing disruption to the Division's operations. The contract's success hinges on uninterrupted access to the software and timely, effective technical assistance.

What is the track record of SHI International Corp. in fulfilling similar federal government software licensing contracts?

SHI International Corp. has a significant track record as a major reseller and provider of IT solutions, including software licensing, to the federal government. They are a frequent awardee of large government contracts across various agencies, often through large-scale procurement vehicles like NASA SEWP or GSA schedules. Their experience typically includes managing complex software deployments, providing technical support, and navigating government procurement regulations. For contracts similar to this DOJ award, SHI's performance would generally be assessed based on on-time delivery, adherence to contract terms, pricing competitiveness, and customer satisfaction reported in past performance evaluations. Agencies often rely on past performance data, including CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) reports, to evaluate potential awardees. SHI's established presence suggests a capacity to handle such requirements, but a detailed review of their specific performance on comparable DOJ or other federal civilian agency contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Are there any known risks associated with the long-term reliance on PowerBuilder technology within the DOJ?

Yes, there are potential risks associated with long-term reliance on PowerBuilder technology within the DOJ. PowerBuilder is a mature development platform, and while still supported, it may not represent the latest in modern application development paradigms. Risks include the potential for vendor sunsetting or significant price increases for future versions or support, making it more expensive to maintain legacy applications. Furthermore, finding developers with current PowerBuilder expertise can become increasingly challenging over time, potentially leading to higher labor costs or difficulties in maintaining and enhancing existing applications. There's also a risk that the technology may not integrate as seamlessly with newer, cloud-native or API-driven systems, potentially creating technical debt and hindering digital transformation efforts. The DOJ would need to continuously assess the strategic fit of PowerBuilder against evolving business needs and emerging technologies to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

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

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: SHI International Corp.

Address: 290 DAVIDSON AVE STE 101, SOMERSET, NJ, 08873

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,964

Exercised Options: $3,964

Current Obligation: $3,964

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SE11B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline