Sphera lands five-year US deal for hazardous software

Sphera has won a five-year sole-source contract from the US Defence Logistics Agency for its Hazardous Materials Management System (HMMS), extending the software's use across the Department of War and other federal organisations.

The agreement covers delivery, sustainment and modernisation of HMMS, which supports hazardous materials management across defence and aerospace operations, including chemical lifecycle oversight and compliance.

The award follows NASA's selection of HMMS as its agency-wide standard for hazardous materials management, expanding the product's federal footprint beyond defence.

HMMS is intended to provide a common system for managing hazardous materials and related data across multiple sites and organisations. Such platforms often underpin workflows for tracking inventory, controlling access to substances, and capturing information needed for safety and regulatory reporting.

Under the new deal, Sphera will maintain the HMMS suite and deliver modernisation work over the five-year term. The work will focus on strengthening chemical lifecycle management, improving data integrity, and increasing visibility of hazardous materials information across government defence and aerospace operations worldwide.

Sole-source terms

The contract is described as sole-source, meaning the Defence Logistics Agency selected a single supplier rather than running a competitive tender. This approach is typically used when an agency cites a specific operational requirement, a need for continuity, or limited suitable alternatives.

The Defence Logistics Agency provides logistics support across the US military services and a range of federal organisations. Hazardous materials management is part of that remit because chemicals and controlled substances feature throughout supply chains, maintenance operations and deployed activities.

Sphera described the award as a sign of continued trust in its delivery record in government environments. Paul Marushka, CEO and President of Sphera, said it reflected customer confidence in the company's approach and its ability to meet operational demands.

"This award is a testament to the trust our customers place in Sphera and our ability to deliver mission-critical solutions with precision and accountability," said Paul Marushka, CEO and president of Sphera.

Marushka also pointed to the company's experience in chemical lifecycle management and regulatory intelligence in high-compliance settings.

"Our expertise in chemical lifecycle management and regulatory intelligence enables us to support some of the most demanding operational environments in the world. We are proud to continue partnering with the DLA to advance modernization, strengthen compliance and enhance operational resilience," he said.

Modernisation plans

The five-year term also allows for further product development, including enhanced analytics and alignment with evolving cloud and security standards.

Modernising federal IT systems remains a priority across US agencies as they replace older applications, improve data consistency, and respond to updated cyber security requirements. Systems that handle hazardous materials data can also face additional governance demands because they often cover substances with safety implications and handling restrictions.

The contract vehicle sits under the Defence Logistics Agency and is open for use by Department of War and non-Department of War agencies. This structure can allow other organisations to access the same supplier and scope of work without negotiating separate contracts, subject to internal procurement rules.

HMMS is positioned as a shared technology component across parts of US defence and civil space operations, underscoring the role software platforms play in day-to-day compliance, where consistent data management and audit trails can be as important as physical controls and training.

Sphera is headquartered in Chicago and sells software for risk, safety and sustainability management. The company reports serving 8,500 customers and more than one million users in 100 countries across environment, health and safety, sustainability, product stewardship, process safety and supply chain management.

The contract runs for five years, with planned upgrades including enhanced analytics and closer alignment with evolving cloud and security standards.