NEW YORK, July 12 (Reuters) - Buyout firm Vista Equity

is exploring options including a sale of Sonatype in a deal that

could value the cybersecurity firm at more than $1.5 billion

including debt, according to people familiar with the matter.

Fulton, Maryland-based Sonatype has tapped Goldman Sachs ( GS )

to solicit interest from potential buyers, which could

include other private equity firms, said the sources, who

requested anonymity as the matter is confidential.

Vista may also choose to sell a minority stake in Sonatype,

the sources added, cautioning that the discussions are at an

early stage and no deal is certain. Sonatype currently generates

about $150 million in annual recurring revenue and is

profitable, the sources said.

Vista, Sonatype, and Goldman Sachs ( GS ) declined to comment.

Sonatype is a provider of technology tools and software that

helps corporations with software development, the analysis and

maintenance of open-source code repositories, and the protection

of their software supply chains.

Sonatype serves more than 2000 enterprise customers and

about 15 million software developers, according to its website.

Its clients include banks and financial services firms such as

BNP Paribas , ABN Amro and BNY Mellon, and companies in various

other industries. It has also worked with government departments

including the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S.

Department of Energy.