USDA awards $5.9M for RMF Assessment and FedRAMP IL4 services to Panum Telecom

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,926,933 ($5.9M)

Contractor: Panum Telecom, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-04-01

End Date: 2027-04-04

Contract Duration: 1,829 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DISC RMF ASSESSMENT, FEDRAMP AND IMPACT LEVEL 4 (IL4)

Place of Performance

Location: KANSAS CITY, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64114

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $5.9 million to PANUM TELECOM, L.L.C. for work described as: DISC RMF ASSESSMENT, FEDRAMP AND IMPACT LEVEL 4 (IL4) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical cybersecurity assessment services. 2. Panum Telecom, L.L.C. is the awardee. 3. The contract spans over 4 years, indicating a need for ongoing support. 4. The service falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $5.9M over 4 years suggests a reasonable valuation for specialized cybersecurity consulting. Benchmarking against similar FedRAMP assessments and RMF services would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government. The use of a BPA Call indicates a streamlined process within an existing framework.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is expected to yield competitive pricing, maximizing taxpayer value for these essential cybersecurity services.

Public Impact

Enhances federal data security posture by ensuring compliance with Impact Level 4. Supports the Department of Agriculture's mission by safeguarding sensitive information. Contributes to the overall cybersecurity readiness of federal agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed effectively.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security assessments.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Utilizes an existing Best Practices Agreement (BPA) Call for efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT consulting sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity compliance and assessment. Spending benchmarks for similar services can vary widely based on the complexity of the FedRAMP level and RMF requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting or prime award. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA Call suggests that the initial competition and vetting of the BPA were conducted previously. Ongoing oversight will be crucial to ensure performance and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Office of the Chief Financial Officer Programs

Risk Flags

Cybersecurity compliance is critical for data protection.
Long-term contract duration requires sustained performance.
Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on specialized expertise in RMF and FedRAMP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $5.9 million to PANUM TELECOM, L.L.C.. DISC RMF ASSESSMENT, FEDRAMP AND IMPACT LEVEL 4 (IL4)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PANUM TELECOM, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-01. End: 2027-04-04.

What is the specific scope of work for the RMF Assessment and FedRAMP IL4 services?

The scope likely includes evaluating the agency's information systems against NIST RMF controls and FedRAMP requirements for Impact Level 4 data. This involves documentation review, system testing, vulnerability assessments, and reporting to ensure compliance and security posture.

Are there any identified risks associated with Panum Telecom's ability to deliver these specialized services?

Without specific performance data or past performance reviews, it's difficult to assess risk. However, the full and open competition process should have mitigated risks by selecting a qualified vendor. Ongoing monitoring of performance is key.

How does this contract contribute to the Department of Agriculture's overall IT modernization and security strategy?

This contract directly supports the agency's security strategy by ensuring critical systems handling sensitive data meet stringent federal compliance standards. It's a foundational element for secure IT operations and protecting agricultural data.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7315 WISCONSIN AVE 800 W, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,951,933

Exercised Options: $5,951,933

Current Obligation: $5,926,933

Actual Outlays: $4,226,407

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AG3144B170024

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline