DoD's $36M Information Assurance Contract Awarded to Computer Sciences Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,113,328 ($36.1M)

Contractor: Computer Sciences Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-01-25

End Date: 2012-03-01

Contract Duration: 1,497 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: INFORMATION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: CHAMBERSBURG, FRANKLIN County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17201

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $36.1 million to COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION for work described as: INFORMATION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract's duration of nearly 5 years indicates a significant, long-term need for these services. 3. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code suggests a broad scope of IT support. 4. Awarded by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), a key player in DoD IT infrastructure. 5. The Time and Materials pricing structure may pose risks for cost control if not managed diligently. 6. The contract was awarded in 2008, providing historical context for current IT spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total value of $36.1 million over approximately 5 years averages to about $7.2 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for 'Information Assurance Support Services' from DISA or comparable agencies, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not closely monitored for scope creep and efficient labor utilization. Compared to fixed-price contracts for similar IT support, T&M can sometimes result in less predictable spending.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The open nature of the competition suggests that the agency sought the best value available in the market for these critical information assurance services.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of contractors to vie for the work, potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced information assurance and cybersecurity posture. Services delivered likely include network security, vulnerability assessments, and incident response. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational areas, potentially global. Workforce implications include the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals, both within the contractor and potentially government personnel overseeing the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
The broad NAICS code '541519' might obscure the specific services rendered and their associated costs.
Lack of specific performance metrics or outcome data makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
The contract's age (awarded 2008) means current market rates and technologies may differ significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
Long contract duration (nearly 5 years) indicates a sustained need and potential for stable service delivery.
Awarded by DISA, a specialized agency with expertise in defense IT, implying strategic importance.

Sector Analysis

Information assurance and cybersecurity services are a critical component of the broader IT services sector, particularly within government and defense. This contract falls under IT consulting and support, a market characterized by rapid technological advancements and evolving threat landscapes. The defense sector's spending on cybersecurity is substantial, driven by the need to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale IT support contracts awarded by defense agencies for similar services.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside consideration (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the contract was competed broadly, and while small businesses could have bid, there was no explicit requirement for them to do so. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but they are not detailed in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely neutral to minimal unless significant subcontracting occurred.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and delivery requirements. Transparency is often managed through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though detailed operational oversight specifics are usually internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DoD Cybersecurity Services
Defense Information Technology Support
IT Services for Federal Agencies
Information Security Consulting
Network Operations and Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Contract awarded in 2008, potentially outdated in terms of current market value and technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $36.1 million to COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION. INFORMATION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-01-25. End: 2012-03-01.

What was the specific nature of the 'Information Assurance Support Services' provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'INFORMATION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES' under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). While specific details are not itemized, information assurance typically encompasses a range of activities aimed at protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This could include services such as vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, security monitoring, incident response, security policy development, and implementation of security controls. Given the awarding agency (DISA), these services were likely critical for maintaining the security and integrity of Department of Defense networks and data.

How does the awarded amount of $36.1 million compare to similar IT support contracts within the DoD during that period?

Comparing the $36.1 million contract value requires context regarding the specific services and duration. Awarded in 2008 for nearly five years (1497 days), the average annual value was approximately $7.2 million. During the late 2000s, the DoD was significantly investing in IT modernization and cybersecurity. Large-scale IT support contracts, especially those involving complex systems and security, could range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Without specific benchmarks for 'Information Assurance Support Services' from DISA or comparable agencies for that timeframe, it's difficult to definitively state if $7.2 million annually was high or low. However, it represents a substantial investment in a critical capability.

What were the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, as used in this contract, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fee or profit margin. This can lead to higher overall costs if the project scope expands (scope creep), if labor hours are not efficiently managed, or if material costs escalate unexpectedly. For the government, it necessitates robust oversight and diligent monitoring of contractor effort to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the intended scope of work. Without strong controls, T&M can be less cost-predictable than other contract types.

What does the 'Defense Information Systems Agency' (DISA) typically procure through contracts like this?

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is the primary provider of IT services and infrastructure for the Department of Defense. Contracts like this one for 'Information Assurance Support Services' are central to DISA's mission. DISA procures a wide array of IT-related services and systems, including network operations, enterprise IT services, cybersecurity solutions, cloud computing, telecommunications, and data center support. Information assurance is a critical function for DISA, as it ensures the security and resilience of the DoD's global information grid, protecting sensitive military and national security data from cyber threats.

How has federal spending on information assurance and cybersecurity evolved since this contract was awarded in 2008?

Federal spending on information assurance and cybersecurity has dramatically increased since 2008. In the wake of escalating cyber threats and high-profile breaches, both the DoD and civilian agencies have prioritized cybersecurity investments. Budgets have grown substantially, reflecting the expanding threat landscape and the critical need to protect government systems and data. This includes increased spending on advanced threat detection, incident response capabilities, secure infrastructure, and cybersecurity workforce development. The $36.1 million contract awarded in 2008, while significant at the time, represents a fraction of the current federal cybersecurity spending, which now runs into the tens of billions of dollars annually across the government.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Address: 6565 ARLINGTON BLVD, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,865,906

Exercised Options: $36,113,328

Current Obligation: $36,113,328

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DCA20000D5013

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline