SEC Awards $13.2M for VMware Software and MDM, Highlighting Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,205,408 ($13.2M)

Contractor: August Schell Enterprises, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission

Start Date: 2024-07-24

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 797 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BRAND NAME - VMWARE SW - ENTERPRISE SERVER VIRTUALIZATION AND MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT (MDM)

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 $13.2 million to AUGUST SCHELL ENTERPRISES, INC. for work described as: BRAND NAME - VMWARE SW - ENTERPRISE SERVER VIRTUALIZATION AND MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT (MDM) Key points: 1. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is procuring VMware software and Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions. 2. August Schell Enterprises, Inc. secured the contract, indicating a competitive award process. 3. The contract value is $13.2 million over a period of approximately 2 years. 4. The spending falls under 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad category within IT.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.2 million for enterprise virtualization and MDM software appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar enterprise software licenses and MDM solutions would provide a more precise assessment, but the full and open competition suggests a fair price discovery process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES', indicating that while sources were initially excluded, the final award was made through a competitive process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The $13.2 million expenditure represents taxpayer funds allocated for essential IT infrastructure and security at the SEC. The competitive nature of the award aims to maximize the value for these funds.

Public Impact

Enhances SEC's IT infrastructure with advanced virtualization and mobile device management capabilities. Supports secure access and management of devices for SEC personnel. Ensures operational continuity and efficiency through robust software solutions. The competitive award process suggests a commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with specific VMware products.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical software and services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Addresses critical IT security and management needs.
Long-term contract duration provides stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on software licensing and IT services. Spending on enterprise virtualization and MDM solutions is common across government agencies to modernize infrastructure and enhance cybersecurity.

Small Business Impact

While August Schell Enterprises, Inc. is the prime contractor, the data does not specify if they are a small business or if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a federal agency with established procurement and oversight processes. The 'full and open competition' aspect suggests adherence to competitive sourcing regulations.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Securities and Exchange Commission Contracting
Securities and Exchange Commission Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with VMware.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical IT functions.
Initial exclusion of sources may warrant further scrutiny.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Securities and Exchange Commission awarded $13.2 million to AUGUST SCHELL ENTERPRISES, INC.. BRAND NAME - VMWARE SW - ENTERPRISE SERVER VIRTUALIZATION AND MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT (MDM)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AUGUST SCHELL ENTERPRISES, INC..

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 $13.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-24. End: 2026-09-29.

What specific VMware products and MDM features are included in this contract, and how do they align with the SEC's strategic IT goals?

The contract specifies VMware software for enterprise server virtualization and Mobile Device Management (MDM). While the exact product SKUs are not detailed, these typically include solutions for server consolidation, resource management, and secure mobile device deployment and policy enforcement. These align with SEC's goals of modernizing IT infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity posture, and enabling a secure mobile workforce.

What were the primary reasons for excluding certain sources initially, and how did this exclusion impact the final pricing?

The exclusion of sources likely stemmed from specific technical requirements, existing infrastructure compatibility, or unique capabilities needed for the SEC's environment. While the exact reasons are not provided, the subsequent 'full and open competition' suggests that the market was ultimately assessed broadly enough to ensure competitive pricing, mitigating potential price inflation from initial exclusions.

How will the effectiveness of the VMware and MDM solutions be measured and evaluated throughout the contract period?

Effectiveness is typically measured through performance metrics defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). For virtualization, this could include uptime, resource utilization, and performance benchmarks. For MDM, metrics might involve device compliance rates, security incident response times, and user support satisfaction. The SEC will likely conduct regular performance reviews and acceptances.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 50310224Q0052

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1700 ROCKVILLE PIKE STE 405, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,798,033

Exercised Options: $13,205,408

Current Obligation: $13,205,408

Actual Outlays: $13,205,408

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD80B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline