Geospatial Information Software Services (GISS)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a sole-source Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule GS-35F-253CA to acquire comprehensive geospatial information software services from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI). This agreement, identified as Geospatial Information Software Services (GISS) with solicitation number DHS_SSJ_FY26-0030_GISS, is a follow-on to a BPA originally awarded in 2006 and is structured with a one-year base period and four optional years, totaling an estimated value of $54.44 million if all options are exercised. The scope encompasses enterprise licensing of ESRI’s ArcGIS platform, ongoing maintenance and updates for Category A and B software licenses, technical services for architectural design and system implementation, access to internet-based geospatial content, helpdesk and technical support, instructor-led and online training, and provision of temporary software licenses during Incidents of National Significance. The solution supports over 5,000 installations across DHS components including CBP, CISA, FEMA, TSA, and USCG for critical missions such as disaster response, hazard mapping, infrastructure risk assessment, and law enforcement operations. The contract mandates strict compliance with the DHS Technical Reference Model and Section 508 accessibility requirements, ensuring interoperability with federal, state, local, and tribal systems through standardized information exchange protocols. ESRI is deemed the exclusive provider due to the proprietary nature of its geospatial software, lack of technically equivalent alternatives, and the deeply integrated architecture of DHS’s existing IT environment, which makes migration to another vendor impractical and high-risk. The acquisition is justified under FAR 8.4 and GSAR 538.7104-3 as a non-competitive, best-value procurement, not based on lowest price but on technical superiority, mission necessity, and risk mitigation. Performance is delivered electronically from ESRI’s headquarters in Redlands, California, with on-site training possible at DHS locations nationwide. The contracting office is located in Washington, DC, and the agreement includes annual reviews to verify compliance and explore potential cost reductions. No physical packaging, marking, or invoicing details are specified as all deliverables are digital, and no contract clauses or offeror certifications are included because this document serves as a sole-source justification rather than a finalized contract document.