USDA renews Cellebrite licenses for $18.4M with Redhawk IT Solutions under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,393 ($18.4K)

Contractor: Redhawk IT Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-06-20

End Date: 2031-06-22

Contract Duration: 1,828 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE USDA/OCIO/CPOC REQUIRES THE RENEWAL OF CELLEBRITE LICENSES

Place of Performance

Location: WOODBRIDGE, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22192

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $18,393.13 to REDHAWK IT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: THE USDA/OCIO/CPOC REQUIRES THE RENEWAL OF CELLEBRITE LICENSES Key points: 1. Spending focuses on software licensing for Cellebrite technology. 2. Redhawk IT Solutions is the incumbent contractor. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. The contract duration is over 5 years, indicating a long-term need. 5. The sector is IT services, specifically computer related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total value of $18.4 million over 5 years appears reasonable for enterprise software licensing. However, without specific per-unit cost data or comparison to similar software suites, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This suggests that while competition was sought, specific circumstances led to excluding certain potential bidders. The price discovery impact depends on the number and competitiveness of the bids received.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for software licensing. The value for money depends on the necessity and effectiveness of the Cellebrite software for USDA operations.

Public Impact

Ensures continued access to critical digital forensic and data extraction tools for the USDA. Supports law enforcement and investigative functions within the Department of Agriculture. Potential for data privacy and security implications depending on software usage. The long-term nature of the contract may lock the agency into a specific technology provider.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited transparency on 'exclusion of sources' rationale.
Potential for vendor lock-in with a 5-year contract.
Lack of detailed per-unit cost data for benchmarking.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting some level of market engagement.
Long-term contract provides stability for critical software access.
Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost uncertainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services.' Spending on software licenses and maintenance is common across government agencies for operational efficiency and data management. Benchmarks for similar enterprise software licenses vary widely based on functionality and user base.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that the awardee is Redhawk IT Solutions, LLC. It is not specified if this is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small businesses, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, adherence to terms, and ensuring continued justification for the software's necessity and cost-effectiveness throughout the contract period.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Office of the Chief Financial Officer Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed justification for 'exclusion of sources'.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to long contract duration.
Absence of specific per-unit cost data for robust benchmarking.
Unclear if the awardee is a small business, impacting small business utilization goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $18,393.13 to REDHAWK IT SOLUTIONS, LLC. THE USDA/OCIO/CPOC REQUIRES THE RENEWAL OF CELLEBRITE LICENSES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is REDHAWK IT SOLUTIONS, LLC.

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 $18,393.13.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-06-20. End: 2031-06-22.

What specific capabilities does Cellebrite software provide to the USDA, and how critical are these to its mission?

Cellebrite software is primarily used for digital forensics, data extraction, and analysis from mobile devices and other digital sources. For the USDA, this could be critical for investigating fraud, waste, abuse, security breaches, and other criminal or administrative matters within the department. Understanding the specific use cases and their direct impact on USDA's core functions is key to assessing the value.

What were the reasons for excluding certain sources in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award method?

The rationale behind excluding sources needs clarification. It could be due to specific technical requirements that only a limited number of vendors could meet, prior performance issues with other vendors, or a phased approach to competition. Understanding these exclusions is crucial for assessing whether the competition was truly robust and if the government obtained the best possible pricing and solution.

How does the per-unit cost of these Cellebrite licenses compare to industry benchmarks or previous USDA procurements for similar software?

Without specific per-unit cost data or details on the number of licenses and their features, a direct benchmark comparison is difficult. However, enterprise software licenses, especially for specialized forensic tools, can be costly. The total value of $18.4 million over five years suggests a significant investment. A detailed cost breakdown would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive and reflects fair market value.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2689 MAPLE RIDGE DR, WOODBRIDGE, VA, 22192

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $101,293

Exercised Options: $18,393

Current Obligation: $18,393

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD38B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline