Pen-Link/PLX Software

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the Department of Justice, issued a Special Notice on January 5, 2026, announcing its intent to award a sole source purchase order to Pen-Link Limited for licensing and technical support of their proprietary PLX software. This notice is being published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.207(c)(16)(ii) to provide other vendors an opportunity to submit capability statements if they believe they can meet the government's requirements. The acquisition will be conducted through simplified acquisition procedures under FAR Part 13 and is classified under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). The government has determined that Pen-Link is uniquely positioned to provide the required services, though the notice allows for alternative proposals to be considered at the agency's discretion.

The primary objective of this acquisition is to obtain maintenance, support, and licensing for Pen-Link's software, with a contract period running from December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026. Interested vendors must submit capability statements electronically to Denise.N.Scott@dea.gov by January 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time, representing a three-day submission window. While the notice is directed toward Pen-Link as the sole source vendor, any company believing it can fulfill the government's technical requirements may submit a response for consideration; however, the government retains sole discretion in determining whether to open the requirement to competition. The anticipated award will be issued as a Firm Fixed Price purchase order, and the justification for sole source procurement—citing the software's long operational history, replacement costs, and potential operational disruption—has been attached to the notice for contractor review.