USPTO cybersecurity support contract awarded to Amentum Technology for $28.9M over 3 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,927,246 ($28.9M)
Contractor: Amentum Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2020-03-24
End Date: 2022-10-23
Contract Duration: 943 days
Daily Burn Rate: $30.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: USPTO IT CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $28.9 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: USPTO IT CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The award value of $28.9M over approximately 3 years indicates a significant investment in IT security. 4. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the primary agency, focusing on critical intellectual property protection. 5. The contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., has secured a substantial contract, indicating a level of trust and capability. 6. The contract duration of 943 days (approx. 2.6 years) is a moderate term for IT support services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $28.9 million over roughly 2.6 years for IT cybersecurity support services appears to be within a reasonable range for a federal agency of the USPTO's size and mission. However, without specific benchmarks for comparable cybersecurity support contracts at the USPTO or similar agencies, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs do not escalate beyond initial expectations or market rates for the services rendered.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition' procurement method, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this cybersecurity support requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and potentially leads to more cost-effective solutions for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging innovative solutions from multiple vendors.
Public Impact
The USPTO benefits from enhanced cybersecurity, protecting sensitive intellectual property data and ensuring operational continuity. The contract delivers essential IT cybersecurity support services, crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of the USPTO's digital infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within the USPTO's operational locations, likely supporting its headquarters and remote users. Workforce implications include the potential for direct employment by Amentum Technology, Inc. and its subcontractors to fulfill the contract's requirements.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed and monitored for scope creep.
- The specific cybersecurity threats and evolving landscape require continuous adaptation and potentially additional resources not fully captured in the initial award.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical cybersecurity functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise or if the contractor's capabilities become outdated.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
- The contractor, Amentum Technology, Inc., has secured a significant federal contract, suggesting established capabilities and a track record.
- The contract addresses a critical need for cybersecurity support, vital for protecting sensitive government data and operations.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, particularly cybersecurity, is a rapidly growing and critical area for government operations. Federal agencies increasingly rely on robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure from evolving threats. This contract for USPTO cybersecurity support fits within the broader market for IT professional services, which includes system design, integration, and maintenance. Comparable spending benchmarks for cybersecurity support services can vary widely based on the scope of services, agency size, and threat landscape, but multi-million dollar contracts are common for agencies with significant data holdings like the USPTO.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary award went to Amentum Technology, Inc., there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Amentum Technology, Inc. actively seeks small business partners for specialized cybersecurity services or other support functions.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's contracting and program management officials. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS-NG. Inspector General jurisdiction would likely reside with the Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General, which oversees the USPTO.
Related Government Programs
- USPTO IT Modernization
- Federal Cybersecurity Initiatives
- Department of Commerce IT Services
- Computer Systems Design Services
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring to control costs.
- Evolving cybersecurity threats may necessitate contract modifications or additional funding.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical functions carries inherent risk.
Tags
it-services, cybersecurity, usp-to, department-of-commerce, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, virginia, professional-services, contract-vehicle
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $28.9 million to AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC.. USPTO IT CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $28.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-03-24. End: 2022-10-23.
What is Amentum Technology, Inc.'s track record with federal cybersecurity contracts?
Amentum Technology, Inc. has a significant presence in the federal contracting space, including a history of providing IT and cybersecurity services to various government agencies. While this specific contract with the USPTO is for $28.9 million over approximately 2.6 years, their broader portfolio likely includes other contracts related to IT modernization, system integration, and cybersecurity solutions. Analyzing their past performance on similar Time and Materials contracts, their ability to meet deadlines, and their record of successful cybersecurity implementations would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability for this specific USPTO requirement. Publicly available contract databases and agency performance reviews can offer more detailed information on their track record.
How does the $28.9 million contract value compare to similar USPTO cybersecurity spending?
The $28.9 million contract value for USPTO cybersecurity support services over roughly 2.6 years represents a substantial investment. To benchmark this value effectively, one would need to compare it against historical USPTO spending on similar IT and cybersecurity services, as well as against contracts awarded by comparable federal agencies (e.g., other intellectual property offices, agencies with large data repositories). Without access to detailed historical spending data for the USPTO or a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, it is difficult to definitively state whether this represents high or low spending. However, given the critical nature of cybersecurity and the USPTO's mission, a significant budget allocation is expected.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for cybersecurity services?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for cybersecurity services is the potential for cost escalation. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. If not meticulously managed, this structure can lead to scope creep, inefficient labor utilization, and ultimately, costs exceeding initial estimates or market benchmarks. For cybersecurity, this risk is amplified as the threat landscape is constantly evolving, potentially requiring unforeseen efforts or resources. Robust oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent monitoring of hours and materials are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.
How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for cybersecurity contracts?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value in federal contracting, including for cybersecurity services. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the government benefits from a wider range of solutions, potentially lower prices due to competitive pressures, and increased innovation. The fact that this USPTO contract had 5 bidders suggests that the competition was meaningful. However, the effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the government's ability to accurately assess the technical capabilities and proposed costs of each bidder. For complex services like cybersecurity, ensuring that the lowest price doesn't compromise essential security capabilities is paramount.
What are the implications of the contract's duration (943 days) on cybersecurity effectiveness?
A contract duration of 943 days (approximately 2.6 years) for cybersecurity support services offers a balance between providing continuity and allowing for adaptation. A longer duration can foster deeper institutional knowledge and a more stable working relationship between the contractor and the USPTO, potentially leading to more effective and tailored security solutions. However, the cybersecurity landscape evolves rapidly. A duration of this length necessitates built-in mechanisms for contract modifications, technology refreshes, and adaptation to new threats. Shorter durations might offer more frequent opportunities to re-evaluate the market and incorporate the latest technologies, while excessively long durations could risk obsolescence if not managed proactively.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC
Address: 600 WILLIAM NORTHERN BLVD, TULLAHOMA, TN, 37388
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,166,351
Exercised Options: $28,927,246
Current Obligation: $28,927,246
Actual Outlays: $-833
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $138,655
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0056
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-03-24
Current End Date: 2022-10-23
Potential End Date: 2023-03-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-14
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