SEC awards $11.1M Appian ELA for enterprise software, with Premier Support through 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,149,410 ($11.1M)

Contractor: DLT Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission

Start Date: 2022-09-16

End Date: 2026-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: APPIAN ENTERPRISE LICENSE AGREEMENT (ELA) WITH PREMIER SUPPORT IN SUPPORT OF OIT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20549

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Securities and Exchange Commission obligated $11.1 million to DLT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: APPIAN ENTERPRISE LICENSE AGREEMENT (ELA) WITH PREMIER SUPPORT IN SUPPORT OF OIT Key points: 1. The contract provides enterprise software licenses and support, crucial for modernizing government IT infrastructure. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust market for this type of enterprise software. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overruns, providing budget certainty. 4. The duration of the contract (nearly 4 years) indicates a long-term need for the software. 5. The award to DLT Solutions, LLC, a known government IT reseller, suggests established channels for software procurement. 6. The specific NAICS code (541519) points to a broad category of computer-related services, not highly specialized.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $11.1 million over approximately four years for an enterprise license agreement (ELA) with premier support appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar ELAs for enterprise software platforms is challenging without specific feature comparisons, but the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost control. The inclusion of premier support suggests a higher level of service, which is often priced at a premium but can be justified by the criticality of the software.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids (as indicated by 'no': 2) suggests a competitive process, though the exact number of interested parties is not detailed. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) benefits from access to enterprise software for its operations. The software likely supports various internal processes, data management, and workflow automation within the SEC. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the SEC is headquartered. The contract supports the IT workforce within the SEC by providing necessary tools for their functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with enterprise license agreements if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical enterprise software can pose continuity risks.
Premier support costs can escalate over time, requiring careful budget forecasting.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the duration of the award.
The award to a known reseller like DLT Solutions indicates established procurement pathways.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on enterprise software licensing and support. The market for enterprise software, particularly platforms like Appian used for workflow automation and business process management, is substantial and competitive. Government agencies increasingly rely on such platforms to modernize operations and improve efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other ELAs for similar software suites across federal agencies, considering factors like user count and feature sets.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. While DLT Solutions, LLC is a large business, the contract does not preclude subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. However, without specific subcontracting plans or set-aside provisions, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not explicitly defined by this award alone.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified software and support. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Appian Software Licenses
Enterprise Software Agreements
IT Modernization Contracts
Government Software Procurement
Workflow Automation Software

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on single vendor for critical software
Escalating support costs over contract duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Securities and Exchange Commission awarded $11.1 million to DLT SOLUTIONS, LLC. APPIAN ENTERPRISE LICENSE AGREEMENT (ELA) WITH PREMIER SUPPORT IN SUPPORT OF OIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DLT SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Securities and Exchange Commission (Securities and Exchange Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-16. End: 2026-09-15.

What is the historical spending pattern for Appian software or similar enterprise platforms at the SEC?

Analyzing historical spending at the SEC for Appian or comparable enterprise software platforms is crucial for understanding value and potential trends. Without specific historical data for this contract, we can infer general patterns. Federal agencies often consolidate software licenses into Enterprise License Agreements (ELAs) to achieve economies of scale and simplify procurement. Prior to this ELA, the SEC may have had multiple smaller contracts for Appian or competing software, or perhaps relied on different solutions. The shift to an ELA suggests a strategic decision to centralize procurement and potentially achieve better pricing through volume commitments. Examining prior fiscal years' spending on similar IT solutions would reveal if this $11.1 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable investment in enterprise software capabilities. It's also important to consider if this ELA replaced existing contracts or funded new capabilities.

How does the per-unit cost of this Appian ELA compare to other federal agencies or commercial entities?

Determining the precise per-unit cost for this Appian ELA is challenging without knowing the exact number of licenses, user types, and specific modules included. However, the total award of $11.1 million over approximately four years for enterprise licenses and premier support suggests a significant investment. Generally, ELAs aim to reduce per-unit costs compared to individual license purchases due to volume discounts. Benchmarking against other federal agencies requires access to similar ELA data, which is often not publicly detailed. Commercially, Appian's pricing varies widely based on deployment model (cloud vs. on-premise), edition, number of users, and required support levels. Given the 'Premier Support' component, the cost is likely higher than standard support. The full and open competition suggests the SEC sought competitive pricing, but a direct per-unit comparison would necessitate detailed knowledge of the specific Appian product suite and user metrics.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with the 'Premier Support' component?

The 'Premier Support' component of this Appian ELA likely entails enhanced service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) beyond standard support offerings. While specific details are not provided in the award data, premier support typically includes faster response times for critical issues, dedicated technical account management, proactive system monitoring, and potentially direct access to senior support engineers. SLAs might define maximum allowable downtime for critical incidents, guaranteed resolution times for different severity levels, and availability targets for support services. KPIs could track metrics such as first-call resolution rates, customer satisfaction scores related to support interactions, and the effectiveness of proactive maintenance. The SEC would have negotiated these terms to ensure minimal disruption to its operations and timely resolution of any technical challenges with the Appian platform.

What is the track record of DLT Solutions, LLC in delivering similar enterprise software solutions to federal agencies?

DLT Solutions, LLC is a well-established government IT reseller and solutions provider with a significant track record of delivering software and hardware to federal agencies. They often act as a prime contractor or reseller for major software vendors, including those offering enterprise platforms. Their business model focuses on navigating federal procurement processes and providing access to a wide range of technology solutions. DLT has historically held numerous contract vehicles and awards with various agencies, facilitating the acquisition of software like Appian. Their experience suggests they are capable of managing the logistical and contractual aspects of such awards. However, the actual implementation and success of the Appian software itself would depend on the SEC's internal IT team and potentially other integrators, with DLT primarily facilitating the licensing and support procurement.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for enterprise software like Appian, even with premier support?

Relying on a single vendor for critical enterprise software, such as Appian, presents several potential risks, even with premier support. Vendor lock-in is a primary concern; switching to a different platform in the future can be costly and complex due to data migration, retraining, and integration challenges. The vendor's financial stability or strategic direction could also pose a risk; if Appian were to face financial difficulties, be acquired by a competitor, or discontinue certain product lines, it could impact the SEC's operations. Furthermore, while premier support aims to mitigate technical issues, it doesn't eliminate the possibility of software bugs, security vulnerabilities, or performance limitations inherent in any complex system. Over-reliance can also stifle internal innovation if agency staff become too dependent on the vendor's ecosystem and capabilities.

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

Solicitation ID: 50310222Q0120

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2411 DULLES CORNER PARK STE 800, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,300,656

Exercised Options: $11,149,410

Current Obligation: $11,149,410

Actual Outlays: $11,117,657

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC98B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline