DOJ's $9.9M ISSO Contract with 22nd Century Technologies Faces Scrutiny Over Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,896,045 ($9.9M)
Contractor: 22ND Century Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2020-11-20
End Date: 2026-03-04
Contract Duration: 1,930 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO) SUPPORT FOR SERVICE DELIVERY STAFF (SDS)
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $9.9 million to 22ND CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO) SUPPORT FOR SERVICE DELIVERY STAFF (SDS) Key points: 1. The contract's value of nearly $10 million raises questions about cost-effectiveness for IT security support. 2. While awarded under full and open competition, the specific BPA call mechanism warrants further examination. 3. Potential risks include overspending on IT support services and ensuring robust security outcomes. 4. The IT services sector is highly competitive, suggesting opportunities for better pricing.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value of $9.9 million for ISSO support appears high for the specified services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts is needed to determine if the pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded via a BPA Call under full and open competition, this method can lead to competitive pricing. However, the specific details of the call and the number of bidders are crucial for assessing price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential IT security functions. Ensuring value for money is paramount to responsible fiscal management.
Public Impact
Ensures critical IT security functions within the Department of Justice. Supports service delivery staff, impacting the efficiency of DOJ operations. The contract's duration and value could represent a significant portion of IT security spending.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High contract value for IT support services.
- Potential for cost overruns in time and materials contracts.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical cybersecurity functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on information system security. Spending benchmarks in this area vary widely based on the complexity and scope of services required.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses is recommended to ensure broader economic participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial to ensure that the services provided meet the required security standards and that the time and materials pricing remains competitive throughout the contract's life.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- High contract value.
- Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- No small business participation noted.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-justice, va, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $9.9 million to 22ND CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO) SUPPORT FOR SERVICE DELIVERY STAFF (SDS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is 22ND CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-11-20. End: 2026-03-04.
What specific ISSO tasks are covered under this contract, and how do they align with the total contract value?
The contract covers Information System Security Officer (ISSO) support for Service Delivery Staff (SDS). While the specific tasks are not detailed in the provided data, ISSO roles typically involve risk management, security assessments, incident response, and policy enforcement. The $9.9 million value suggests a comprehensive scope of support, potentially including multiple personnel or extensive support hours over the contract's duration.
How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to fixed-price contracts for similar ISSO services, and what are the associated risks?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts offer flexibility but can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, as costs are directly tied to labor hours and material usage. For ISSO services, fixed-price contracts might offer better cost certainty if the scope is well-defined. The risk with T&M here is that the final cost could significantly exceed the initial estimate if inefficiencies arise or if the scope expands without adequate controls.
What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the ISSO support provided by 22nd Century Technologies, Inc.?
Effectiveness and efficiency are typically ensured through performance metrics, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and regular performance reviews. Given this is a BPA Call, the specific oversight mechanisms might be defined within the call order itself. The Department of Justice should have established protocols for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring deliverables meet security requirements, and validating the necessity of all billed hours and materials.
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 - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: WINDSOR BUSINESS PARK, PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, 08550
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,289,383
Exercised Options: $10,289,383
Current Obligation: $9,896,045
Actual Outlays: $9,853,326
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS18APZM00004
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-11-20
Current End Date: 2026-03-04
Potential End Date: 2026-03-04 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-06
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