Smithsonian Institution awards $129M for software support to Carahsoft Technology Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $129,319 ($129.3K)
Contractor: Carahsoft Technology Corp
Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution
Start Date: 2025-05-22
End Date: 2027-05-11
Contract Duration: 719 days
Daily Burn Rate: $180/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: SOFTWARE SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Smithsonian Institution obligated $129,318.86 to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP for work described as: SOFTWARE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Carahsoft Technology Corp. for software support. 2. The contract has a duration of 719 days. 3. The agency is the Smithsonian Institution. 4. The Product Service Code is 511210 (Software Publishers).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $129.3M for software support over approximately two years appears high. Benchmarking against similar software support contracts is difficult without specific service details, but the per-unit cost is not readily available.
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 specific awardee, Carahsoft Technology Corp., is a reseller, which can sometimes impact price discovery and lead to higher costs compared to direct vendor agreements.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this software support. The impact depends on whether the competitive process yielded a fair market price for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Government agencies rely on software support to maintain critical IT infrastructure. This spending ensures continued operation of essential software for the Smithsonian Institution. The use of a reseller like Carahsoft may influence the final cost to taxpayers. Long-term software support contracts can be a significant portion of agency IT budgets.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for inflated costs due to reseller.
- Lack of specific service details for cost comparison.
- Long contract duration may not reflect evolving software needs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical Smithsonian Institution operations.
Sector Analysis
Software support is a crucial component of IT spending across all government sectors. The benchmark for this type of contract can vary widely based on the software's complexity, vendor, and support level. This contract's value is substantial for a single award.
Small Business Impact
While Carahsoft Technology Corp. is a large business, the contract does not explicitly mention set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms should be in place to ensure performance and value for money. The contract's duration warrants regular performance reviews.
Related Government Programs
- Software Publishers
- Smithsonian Institution Contracting
- Smithsonian Institution Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to reseller.
- Lack of transparency on specific software and services.
- Limited insight into competitive pricing benchmarks.
- Long-term commitment without clear performance metrics.
Tags
software-publishers, smithsonian-institution, va, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Smithsonian Institution awarded $129,318.86 to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP. SOFTWARE SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $129,318.86.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-22. End: 2027-05-11.
What specific software is covered by this support contract, and what is the criticality of this software to the Smithsonian's mission?
The provided data does not specify the exact software covered. Understanding the criticality is essential for assessing the value of the support. If the software is mission-critical, the $129.3M expenditure might be justified to ensure uninterrupted operations and prevent significant disruptions to the Smithsonian's functions and public services.
How does the pricing structure compare to direct support agreements from software vendors, considering Carahsoft is a reseller?
As Carahsoft Technology Corp. is a reseller, direct comparison to vendor pricing is crucial. Resellers often add a margin, potentially increasing costs. A thorough review would involve comparing the negotiated rates against established government pricing agreements or direct vendor quotes for similar support levels to ensure cost-effectiveness for taxpayers.
What performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) are in place to ensure the effectiveness of the software support?
The data does not detail the performance metrics or SLAs. Effective oversight requires clearly defined metrics for response times, issue resolution, and system uptime. Without these, it's challenging to objectively measure the effectiveness of the support provided and ensure the $129.3M investment yields tangible benefits.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11493 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $129,319
Exercised Options: $129,319
Current Obligation: $129,319
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA18D008F
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-22
Current End Date: 2027-05-11
Potential End Date: 2027-05-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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