NASA Renews Splunk Training Subscription for $812K, Extending Contract with August Schell Enterprises
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $81,217 ($81.2K)
Contractor: August Schell Enterprises, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-28
End Date: 2027-04-27
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $223/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: FY26 SPLUNK TRAINING SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $81,216.54 to AUGUST SCHELL ENTERPRISES, INC. for work described as: FY26 SPLUNK TRAINING SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL Key points: 1. Contract value of $812,165.54 for a one-year renewal. 2. August Schell Enterprises, Inc. is the incumbent contractor. 3. The contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519). 4. Renewal is for FY26, covering the period April 28, 2026, to April 27, 2027.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The renewal price of $812,165.54 for a 364-day subscription needs comparison against market rates for similar Splunk training services. Without specific per-unit costs or detailed service breakdowns, a precise value assessment is challenging.
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 a competitive process was used. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access for qualified vendors.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for this subscription renewal, necessitating efficient procurement to maximize value.
Public Impact
Ensures continued access to critical Splunk training for NASA personnel. Supports NASA's data analytics and cybersecurity capabilities. Potential for improved operational efficiency through enhanced user skills. Renewal impacts personnel development and agency-wide software proficiency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for training modules.
- Potential for price creep in future renewals if not benchmarked rigorously.
- Dependence on a single vendor for specialized training.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process ensures market-driven pricing.
- Clear contract duration and renewal period.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost uncertainty.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, particularly software subscriptions and training, is dynamic. Benchmarking against similar government and commercial contracts for Splunk or comparable data analytics platforms is crucial for validating cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities or past performance with small businesses would be beneficial.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's procurement processes are subject to federal regulations and oversight. The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method suggests adherence to competitive principles, but ongoing monitoring of contract performance and pricing is essential.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Incumbent contractor renewal.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Subscription-based service model.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $81,216.54 to AUGUST SCHELL ENTERPRISES, INC.. FY26 SPLUNK TRAINING SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AUGUST SCHELL ENTERPRISES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $81,216.54.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-28. End: 2027-04-27.
What is the specific breakdown of training hours and modules included in this $812,165.54 subscription, and how does this compare to industry standards for similar offerings?
The provided data lacks a detailed breakdown of training hours, specific modules, or user counts associated with the Splunk training subscription. To assess value, a comparison against industry benchmarks for comparable data analytics training services, considering factors like instructor-led vs. online, certification tracks, and support levels, is necessary. Without this granularity, it's difficult to ascertain if the $812,165.54 represents a fair market price for the services rendered.
What are the potential risks associated with renewing a training subscription with August Schell Enterprises, Inc., particularly concerning vendor lock-in or future price escalations?
A primary risk is vendor lock-in, where NASA becomes heavily reliant on August Schell Enterprises for Splunk training, potentially limiting future options or negotiation leverage. Future price escalations are also a concern; while this is a fixed-price contract, subsequent renewals could see increased costs if not rigorously benchmarked against evolving market rates and alternative training solutions. Ensuring competitive re-competition at contract end is vital.
How effectively does this Splunk training subscription contribute to NASA's overall mission objectives and data management capabilities?
The effectiveness hinges on how well the training equips NASA personnel to leverage Splunk for critical functions like data analysis, cybersecurity monitoring, and operational insights. If the training leads to improved data utilization, enhanced threat detection, and more efficient resource management, it directly supports NASA's mission. Measuring user proficiency gains and the application of learned skills to agency challenges would provide concrete evidence of effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › 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: SATPC0040678
Offers Received: 9
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: $81,217
Exercised Options: $81,217
Current Obligation: $81,217
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD80B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-28
Current End Date: 2027-04-27
Potential End Date: 2027-04-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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