Commerce Department awards $1.45M for IT assessment and authorization services to Goldbelt Hawk

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,446,887 ($1.4M)

Contractor: Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2022-06-24

End Date: 2025-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,102 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: AWARD FOR ASSESSMENT AND AUTHORIZATION.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $1.4 million to GOLDBELT HAWK L.L.C. for work described as: AWARD FOR ASSESSMENT AND AUTHORIZATION. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, suggesting a pre-negotiated framework. 2. The firm fixed-price contract type indicates a defined scope and predictable cost for the government. 3. Awarded for assessment and authorization services, likely related to cybersecurity or IT system compliance. 4. The contract duration of over 3 years suggests a need for ongoing support. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized, and the contractor is not a small business. 6. The service falls under 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $1.45 million for a period of approximately 3 years for IT assessment and authorization services appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized IT support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cybersecurity assessment and authorization (A&A) services is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work, deliverables, and the complexity of the systems being assessed. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the required services and associated costs, which can be a positive indicator of value if the scope is well-defined and executed efficiently.

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 offers. The specific details of the competition, such as the number of bids received and the evaluation process, are not provided in the available data. However, full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer, which could include a combination of technical merit and cost-effectiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of potential contractors to bid, potentially leading to lower prices and higher quality services through market forces.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce benefits from enhanced IT system security and compliance through these assessment and authorization services. Services delivered likely include vulnerability assessments, risk analysis, and the development of authorization packages for IT systems. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the Office of the Secretary is located. The contract supports the government's ongoing efforts to maintain secure and compliant federal IT infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics or quality indicators makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness beyond contract completion.
The broad 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code limits specific insights into the precise nature and complexity of the IT services provided.
Limited transparency on the competitive bidding process (e.g., number of bidders, evaluation criteria) hinders a full assessment of value for money.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market engagement process.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is a BPA Call, indicating that a foundational agreement for services was already in place, potentially streamlining acquisition.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically under IT services. The NAICS code 541519 ('Other Computer Related Services') encompasses a wide range of IT support activities. The market for IT assessment and authorization services is significant, driven by federal mandates for cybersecurity and system accreditation, such as the Risk Management Framework (RMF). Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT security and compliance services can vary widely based on the scope, duration, and specific requirements, but this award represents a moderate investment for the Department of Commerce's IT infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the contractor, Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C., is not identified as a small business. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or immediate benefits to the small business ecosystem stemming from this specific award. The absence of a small business set-aside means that larger, established firms had the opportunity to compete for this requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of Commerce's Office of the Secretary. Performance monitoring, invoice review, and ensuring compliance with contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Cybersecurity Services
IT Consulting
Information Assurance
Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)
IT System Audits

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial assessment is not thorough.
Reliance on contractor expertise for critical security evaluations.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
Contract duration may outpace rapid technological changes in cybersecurity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $1.4 million to GOLDBELT HAWK L.L.C.. AWARD FOR ASSESSMENT AND AUTHORIZATION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOLDBELT HAWK L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-24. End: 2025-06-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'Assessment and Authorization' services provided under this contract?

The data indicates the contract is for 'Assessment and Authorization' (A&A) services, which are critical components of federal cybersecurity compliance. These services typically involve evaluating IT systems against security standards and frameworks, such as the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF). This includes identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risks, developing security plans, and ultimately authorizing systems to operate. The specific systems or applications covered by this $1.45 million award are not detailed, but they likely pertain to the Department of Commerce's internal IT infrastructure or systems managed by the Office of the Secretary. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519) is broad, but A&A is a specialized subset within IT services focused on security posture and compliance.

How does the $1.45 million award compare to typical spending for similar IT assessment and authorization services within the federal government?

Comparing the $1.45 million award for approximately three years of service requires context on the scope and complexity. Federal contracts for cybersecurity assessment and authorization can range significantly. Smaller, less complex systems might be assessed for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, while large enterprise-level systems or those with high security requirements could command millions annually. Given this is a BPA Call award for the Department of Commerce's Office of the Secretary, it suggests a need for ongoing support rather than a one-time, large-scale project. Without knowing the number of systems, their criticality, or the specific deliverables, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark. However, the total award value appears moderate for the duration and the type of essential security service.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding IT assessment and authorization services to a single contractor under a BPA Call?

While this contract was awarded under full and open competition initially (as it's a BPA Call), the specific call itself might have limited competition depending on the BPA's terms. Potential risks include over-reliance on a single vendor, which could lead to complacency or reduced innovation over time. If the contractor's performance falters or their expertise becomes outdated, the agency might face challenges in switching providers due to the established relationship and potential learning curve for a new vendor. Furthermore, the fixed-price nature, while offering cost certainty, could pose a risk if unforeseen complexities arise that were not adequately scoped, potentially leading to change orders or disputes if not managed carefully.

What is Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C.'s track record with federal IT service contracts, particularly in assessment and authorization?

Publicly available data indicates Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C. has received federal contracts primarily within the IT and professional services sectors. While specific details on their performance history for 'Assessment and Authorization' services are not readily available in summary data, their contract awards suggest experience in supporting government IT needs. Further investigation into contract performance reports (e.g., CPARS) or their specific capabilities statements would be necessary to fully assess their track record in this specialized area. The award from the Department of Commerce indicates they met the criteria for this specific requirement under the existing BPA.

How does this contract align with the Department of Commerce's broader IT modernization and cybersecurity initiatives?

This contract directly supports the Department of Commerce's IT modernization and cybersecurity initiatives by ensuring that IT systems undergo rigorous assessment and authorization. These processes are fundamental to establishing and maintaining a strong security posture, which is a key component of modernization. By authorizing systems, the department confirms they meet security requirements before operation, reducing the risk of breaches and ensuring compliance with federal mandates like the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA). This type of service is essential for any agency undertaking IT upgrades or managing complex digital infrastructures.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 603 PILOT HOUSE DR STE 400, NEWPORT NEWS, VA, 23606

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,446,887

Exercised Options: $1,446,887

Current Obligation: $1,446,887

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L518A13OS0022

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline