EPA's $3.3M Unison Software Contract for Acquisition System Hosting Faces Scrutiny Over Competition and Value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,308,302 ($3.3M)

Contractor: Unison Software Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-05-07

End Date: 2026-05-06

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONTRACT TITLE: HOSTING AND RELATED SUPPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) ACQUISITION SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $3.3 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC for work described as: CONTRACT TITLE: HOSTING AND RELATED SUPPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) ACQUISITION SYSTEM Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Unison Software Inc. for EPA's acquisition system hosting is valued at $3.3 million over five years. 2. Competition was full and open, but the specific pricing and value proposition require deeper analysis. 3. Potential risks include vendor lock-in and the long-term cost-effectiveness of the chosen solution. 4. The IT sector, particularly software publishers, often sees significant spending, making benchmarks crucial.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value is $3.3 million over five years. Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed service level agreements, it's difficult to benchmark against similar hosting and support contracts for government acquisition systems. The firm fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive sign for price discovery. However, the specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria used to select Unison Software Inc. are not provided, leaving questions about whether the most cost-effective solution was truly secured.

Taxpayer Impact: While competition was utilized, the long-term value and potential for cost savings beyond the initial bid need to be monitored to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of the EPA's critical acquisition system. Supports agency procurement processes, impacting how the EPA buys goods and services. Potential for improved efficiency in government contracting through specialized software.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics for value assessment.
Long contract duration (5 years) may limit flexibility.
No explicit mention of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Supports a critical agency function.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically software publishing and hosting services. Spending in this area is substantial across government, with benchmarks often focusing on cloud hosting costs, software licensing, and managed IT services. The EPA's need for a dedicated acquisition system suggests a specialized requirement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the requirement precluded small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger agreement (VA). Oversight would typically involve monitoring performance against the contract's terms, ensuring deliverables are met, and managing the vendor relationship. The agency's internal procurement oversight processes are key.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed service level agreements (SLAs) for performance.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized hosting.
Absence of small business subcontracting goals.
Long contract duration may not align with rapid technological change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.3 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC. CONTRACT TITLE: HOSTING AND RELATED SUPPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) ACQUISITION SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNISON SOFTWARE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-07. End: 2026-05-06.

What specific features and support levels are included in the $3.3 million contract, and how do they compare to market rates for similar services?

The provided data lacks specifics on included features and support levels. A comprehensive value assessment requires a detailed breakdown of services, such as server uptime guarantees, security protocols, software updates, and technical support response times. Comparing these against industry benchmarks for government IT hosting and software support would reveal if the $3.3 million price is competitive or inflated.

Given the five-year duration, what are the potential risks associated with technological obsolescence or the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures?

A five-year contract term carries inherent risks of technological obsolescence, as IT solutions evolve rapidly. The EPA must ensure the contract includes provisions for technology refreshes or upgrades. Furthermore, evolving cybersecurity threats necessitate robust, adaptable security protocols. The contract should clearly define responsibilities for addressing new vulnerabilities and implementing necessary security enhancements without significant cost overruns.

How effectively does this contract support the EPA's mission-critical acquisition functions, and are there opportunities for greater efficiency or cost savings?

The contract's effectiveness hinges on the reliability and performance of the hosting and support for the EPA's acquisition system. If the system operates without interruption and facilitates efficient procurement, it is effective. However, without performance metrics, it's hard to quantify. Opportunities for savings might exist through renegotiating terms based on usage, exploring cloud-native solutions if applicable, or consolidating services if Unison offers broader capabilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: RFQ1485770

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: $3,427,397

Exercised Options: $3,385,406

Current Obligation: $3,308,302

Actual Outlays: $2,865,317

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00EP

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline