Commerce awards $1.2M for NIST's PIV credentials, focusing on advanced computer concepts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $122,762 ($122.8K)

Contractor: Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $337/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: OU18-FY26-057-NEW ENTRUST PIV CREDENTIALS

Place of Performance

Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20899

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $122,762.08 to ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. for work described as: OU18-FY26-057-NEW ENTRUST PIV CREDENTIALS Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature and 3-year duration. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are low with a firm fixed-price contract and established vendor. 4. Performance context is within IT services, specifically identity and access management. 5. Sector positioning is within government IT services, supporting critical infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.23 million over three years for PIV credentials is in line with similar IT service contracts. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against market rates for identity management solutions suggests a fair price, though specific service level details would refine this assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 10 bids suggests a robust competitive landscape, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Federal employees and contractors requiring PIV credentials will benefit from this service. The contract ensures the continued delivery of secure identity verification services for NIST. The geographic impact is primarily within NIST facilities, with potential for broader federal use. Workforce implications include support for IT professionals involved in credential management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost overrun risk.
Full and open competition indicates a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Contract awarded to a single vendor (ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC.) with a history of federal contracts.
Contract duration of 3 years provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on identity and access management solutions. The market for credentialing and identity verification services is substantial within the federal government, driven by security mandates. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support services indicate that this award is within a typical range for its scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee is not identified as a small business. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary benefits for small businesses would be indirect, through potential opportunities with the prime contractor if they choose to subcontract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through contract officers and technical representatives. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management (FICAM)
Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Program
IT Services and Support Contracts
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $122,762.08 to ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC.. OU18-FY26-057-NEW ENTRUST PIV CREDENTIALS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $122,762.08.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the historical spending trend for PIV credential services at NIST?

Historical spending data for PIV credential services at NIST is not directly available in the provided snippet. However, understanding past expenditures on similar identity management solutions would provide valuable context for assessing the current award's value. Analyzing trends in contract values, durations, and the number of bidders over several fiscal years would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable. This analysis could also highlight any shifts in technology or service providers. Without this historical data, it is challenging to definitively benchmark the current $1.23 million award against NIST's long-term investment in credentialing.

How does the per-unit cost of PIV credentials under this contract compare to industry benchmarks?

The provided data does not include a specific per-unit cost for PIV credentials, making a direct comparison to industry benchmarks difficult. The total award amount of $1.23 million is for a delivery order with a 364-day duration, implying a certain volume of credentials or associated services. To perform a per-unit cost analysis, one would need to know the number of credentials issued or managed, or the specific services rendered per unit. Industry benchmarks for PIV card issuance and management can vary significantly based on factors like card technology, security features, and the vendor's overhead. A detailed breakdown of the contract's deliverables would be necessary to calculate an effective per-unit cost and compare it to market rates.

What is the track record of ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. in delivering similar IT services to the federal government?

ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. has a track record of delivering IT services to the federal government, as indicated by their receipt of this contract. Further investigation into their contract history, particularly with agencies like NIST or other entities requiring identity management solutions, would be beneficial. Key aspects to examine include past performance evaluations, any reported contract issues or successes, and the types of IT services they have provided. A review of their past federal awards, including contract values and durations, can offer insights into their capacity and reliability in handling projects of this nature. Understanding their experience with PIV or similar credentialing systems would be particularly relevant.

What are the specific performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These are crucial components that define the expected quality and timeliness of the PIV credential services to be delivered by ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. Typical SLAs in such contracts might include response times for credential issuance, uptime requirements for associated systems, and accuracy rates for data management. Performance metrics would likely focus on the successful issuance of credentials, security compliance, and user satisfaction. Without access to the contract's statement of work or performance work statement, a thorough assessment of the contractor's obligations and NIST's ability to measure success is not possible.

Are there any known risks or challenges associated with the implementation of PIV credentialing services by this contractor?

Based on the provided data, there are no explicitly stated risks or challenges associated with ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. implementing these PIV credentialing services. The contract is firm fixed-price, awarded under full and open competition, and the vendor has a history of federal contracts. However, potential risks common to IT service contracts could include vendor performance issues, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, integration challenges with existing systems, or unforeseen technical difficulties. A comprehensive risk assessment would require reviewing the contract's statement of work, any pre-award risk analyses, and the contractor's proposed mitigation strategies. The absence of explicit flags does not guarantee the absence of risk.

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 - IT MANAGEMENT

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: 7927 JONES BRANCH DR STE 600N, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $122,762

Exercised Options: $122,762

Current Obligation: $122,762

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD60B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline