EQUIS™ SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND LICENSE RENEWAL SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
OFFICE OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
SOLE SOURCES JUSTIFICATION (SSJ)
EQuIS™ Software Maintenance and License Renewal

I. Identification of the agency and contracting activity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) procured by U.S. EPA, Region 4, Acquisition and Grants Management Branch (AGMB), Mission Support Division (MSD).

II. The authority permitting limited sources. Use of the GSA Schedule to procure from a limited source is in accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul Subpart 8.4 and the General Services Administration Acquisition
Regulation (GSAR) 538.7104-3(b)(ii). Only one source is capable of providing the maintenance and licensing solution required at a level of quality required because the solution is unique (proprietary source) or is highly specialized.

III. The nature and/or description of the action being processed. This action is for a new firm-fixed-price (FFP) requirement for annual maintenance and renewal of EQuIS™ software licenses. The prior year user license and support that was sole sourced to the manufacturer EarthSoft, Inc. will expire on 05/31/2026. The performance timeframe of the new task order will be a one (1) year base period with two (2) one (1) year pre-priced Option Periods. This action will result in a new GSA task order as follows:
Vendor: EarthSoft, Inc.
GSA Schedule Contract No.: 47QTCA21D0066
Task Order No.: 68HE0426F0073

IV. Description of the supplies/services required to meet the agency’s need (including the estimated value). This requirement is to provide EQuIS™ software maintenance and licensing agreements for three (3) years at a total cost of $684,906.42 (no applicable reinstatement fees if awarded prior to the expiration of the current licenses). The following are salient characteristics of the services needed by GSA Schedule special item number (SIN):

SIN 511210

• EQuIS Enterprise Basic Core License - Perpetual/On Premise
• EQuIS Professional PremierDG Library CUL - Perpetual/On Premise
• EQuIS EnviroInsite CUL - Perpetual/On Premise

SIN 511210

• EQuIS Enterprise Hybrid Basic Level 6 - Term License, Monthly
• EQuIS Collect Named User Distribution License - Term License, Annual
• EQuIS REST API License (per environment) - Term License, Annual

SIN 54151

• Software Maintenance Agreement -Term License, for Perpetual/On Premise licensing, Annual
• Software Maintenance Agreement Term License, Monthly

SIN 541515S

• Information Technology Professional Services – Project Manager
  • EQuIS SMA Regulatory Agency Extension Services
  • R4DART data management responsibilities

EPA Region 4 currently utilizes EQuiS™ technology, this technology is currently integrated into the Region’s Superfund database. EQuiS™ software is required to meet the agency’s minimum need as it provides continuous utilization and maintenance for  the existing database. The services require technical support and maintenance for the EQuIS™ software installed in Region 4. This will allow EPA Region 4 to manage and automate large amounts of analytical and environmental data. The EQuiS™ database is highly secure and includes quality control mechanisms to minimize potential data errors so that the data can be appropriately analyzed and utilized for decision making made by government personnel. The data is electronically stored for ready access on a broad range of analysis platforms. There are significant cost savings in having the site-related data centrally stored and readily available. The uniform electronic data deliverable approach does more than reduce site management costs; it also provides better and more reliable stewardship of Superfund data, and, when integrated with other platforms, such as Geographic Information System (GIS), it helps ensure transparent decision making.

The management of analytical and environmental data is essential to the Agency’s mission  of protecting human health and the environment. The EPA has utilized EarthSoft’s EQuiS™ software and services since 2005 as it is the only manufacturer of this proprietary software.

This proprietary software is only supplied, supported, and maintained by the manufacturer EarthSoft, and offers site specific solutions through its design. Support and maintenance of the software is only available through EarthSoft and not through any other authorized thirdparty resellers. Therefore, to continue the maintenance and operation of the software system as well as the continuity of the Agency’s investments with integrating this software into other systems, a maintenance agreement and licensing with EarthSoft is warranted for EPA’s Region 4 licensed end users.

The estimated value for this acquisition is as follows;
Period Period of Performance Amount
Base Period (Year 1) 06/01/2026 – 05/31/2027 $228,302.14
Option Period 1 (Year 2) 06/01/2027 – 05/31/2028 $228,302.14
Option Period 2 (Year 3) 06/01/2028 – 05/31/2029 $228,302.14TOTAL $684,906.42

V. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority. EarthSoft, Inc. is the only qualified and authorized manufacturer to provide technical support for the EQuIS™
Software. The EQuIS™ database proprietary software which is only supplied, maintained, and supported by the Earthsoft manufacturer. Additionally, the EQuIS™ software is integrated with the Region 4 Laboratory Services and Applied Sciences
Division (LSASD) electronic data deliverables.

VI. Description of market research conducted, and results or statement of the reason market research was not conducted. Market research was conducted to determine if commercial items or non-developmental items are available to meet the Government’s
needs or could be modified to meet the Government’s needs. In accordance with FAR Part 10, multiple techniques were used to research commercially available sources as significant modifications would not meet the Agency’s need and poses performance and delivery risk that would harm the Agency. The market research conducted for this requirement included searching GSA Schedules, Small Business Administration (SBA) Dynamic Market Research Database, the Federal Procurement Data System Next
Generation (FPDS-NG) website, reviewing previous order for the same services, and reaching out to the requiring activity for other potential sources.

The results of the market research found EarthSoft, Inc. the manufacturer, was the only vendor capable of providing support for the EQuIS™ softwares. Market research was conducted February 2026 by technical representatives to determine the availability of the functionality required to meet EPA Region 4’s needs. An request for information (RFI) was posted for seven (7) days on GSA eBuy (RFQ1810021) and closed on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Per the program office’s technical review of the RFI responses, no other sources were identified that could meet this requirement need. 

Additionally, the Agency confirmed with EarthSoft that there are no authorized resellers of its proprietary EQuIS™ software and maintenance product line.

VII. Other factors supporting the Justification. EarthSoft, Inc. has an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) as a small business under NAIC 511210Software Publishers. Sole Source award to EarthSoft will also support the U.S. EPA small business goals. EPA has procured EQuIS™ proprietary software from EarthSoft in the past and as recently as 06/01/2025, which was another source of market information.