DOJ's $2.1M ICAM Program Awarded to Merlin International, Inc. for Identity and Access Management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,124,415 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Merlin International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-03-22

End Date: 2027-03-21

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DOJ IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT (ICAM) PROGRAM PER EO.

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.1 million to MERLIN INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: DOJ IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT (ICAM) PROGRAM PER EO. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on identity and access management, a critical area for federal cybersecurity. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The duration of the contract is four years, aligning with typical IT modernization timelines. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334111 points to electronic computer manufacturing, which may indicate hardware or related services. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $2.1 million contract is challenging without specific details on the services or products delivered. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government when scope is well-defined. However, the NAICS code 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing) seems slightly misaligned with an 'Identity and Access Management' program, which typically falls under IT services (e.g., NAICS 541512 or 541519). This potential mismatch warrants further investigation into whether the pricing reflects the actual services rendered or if there are underlying hardware components driving the cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The fact that it was a single award (no. 1) suggests that while competition was open, only one offer was selected, potentially due to specific qualifications or the nature of the requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the preferred method for government contracting as it maximizes opportunities for a wide range of vendors, fostering a competitive marketplace that can drive down costs and improve service quality for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the primary beneficiary, receiving enhanced identity and access management capabilities. This contract supports the implementation of Executive Order (EO) directives related to federal cybersecurity and digital identity. Improved identity and access management can lead to more secure access to DOJ systems and data for authorized personnel. The contract is located in Virginia, suggesting potential workforce implications within that geographic region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential misalignment between NAICS code (Electronic Computer Manufacturing) and the stated program (Identity and Access Management) could indicate unclear scope or inflated costs if hardware is not the primary focus.
Limited information on the specific deliverables makes it difficult to assess true value for money.
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it might be part of a larger, potentially less scrutinized, IDIQ contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, which generally benefits price discovery and competition.
Firm-fixed-price contract type transfers performance risk to the contractor.
The contract duration of four years allows for sustained program development and implementation.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology sector is characterized by rapid innovation and evolving security threats. Federal spending in IT, particularly on cybersecurity and identity management, has been steadily increasing due to mandates like Executive Orders and the growing sophistication of cyberattacks. This contract for the DOJ's Identity and Access Management (ICAM) program fits within this trend, addressing critical needs for secure digital infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar ICAM solutions across federal agencies can vary widely based on scope, complexity, and the specific technologies employed.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication that this contract involved small business set-asides, nor is there information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Given the nature of identity and access management solutions, which can be complex and require specialized expertise, it's possible that larger prime contractors were favored. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small businesses were missed or if subcontracting goals were established.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a firm-fixed-price structure, which provides a degree of cost certainty. Oversight would typically be managed by the DOJ's contracting officer and program managers responsible for the ICAM initiative. Transparency regarding the specific services rendered and performance metrics would be crucial for effective oversight. The Inspector General's office within the DOJ would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

DOJ IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Cybersecurity Initiatives
Identity and Access Management Solutions
Executive Order Cybersecurity Directives

Risk Flags

Potential NAICS code mismatch
Limited scope definition for value assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.1 million to MERLIN INTERNATIONAL, INC.. DOJ IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT (ICAM) PROGRAM PER EO.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MERLIN INTERNATIONAL, 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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-22. End: 2027-03-21.

What specific services or products are included under the DOJ's Identity and Access Management (ICAM) program, and how do they align with NAICS code 334111?

The provided data indicates the contract is for the 'DOJ IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT (ICAM) PROGRAM PER EO.' However, the associated NAICS code is 334111, which pertains to 'Electronic Computer Manufacturing.' This presents a potential discrepancy, as ICAM programs typically involve software, IT services, and system integration, often falling under NAICS codes like 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services) or 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). If the contract primarily involves manufacturing electronic computer components, the description as an 'ICAM Program' might be misleading or incomplete. Conversely, if it's an ICAM program, the NAICS code might be incorrectly assigned or may reflect a significant hardware procurement component. Clarification is needed to understand if the spending is for hardware manufacturing, software development, IT services, or a combination, and how it aligns with the stated program objectives and the chosen industry classification.

How does the $2.1 million contract value compare to similar Identity and Access Management (ICAM) solutions procured by federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $2.1 million value for this ICAM contract requires more granular data on the specific services and scope. Federal ICAM solutions can range significantly in cost, from smaller deployments for specific bureaus to enterprise-wide identity governance and administration (IGA) platforms. For instance, contracts for enterprise-level IGA solutions with multi-year support and advanced features can easily run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, targeted implementations or specific component procurements might fall within the low millions. Without details on the number of users supported, the specific functionalities (e.g., multi-factor authentication, privileged access management, single sign-on, identity lifecycle management), and the duration of the service, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $2.1 million for a four-year delivery order suggests a focused scope or a specific phase of a larger ICAM initiative within the DOJ.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for the DOJ's ICAM program, and how will contractor performance be evaluated?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for the DOJ's ICAM program, nor does it detail how Merlin International, Inc.'s performance will be evaluated. Typically, for ICAM programs, KPIs might include metrics related to system uptime, reduction in unauthorized access incidents, efficiency of user provisioning/de-provisioning, successful implementation of multi-factor authentication across targeted systems, and user satisfaction. Performance evaluation would likely involve regular reviews by DOJ program managers, adherence to delivery schedules, quality of deliverables, and compliance with security protocols. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that meeting the defined scope and quality standards is paramount for successful contractor performance.

What is Merlin International, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in the area of Identity and Access Management?

Merlin International, Inc. has a history of federal contracting, though specific details on their expertise in Identity and Access Management (ICAM) are not provided in the summary data. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the types of services they have delivered to government agencies, their performance ratings on past contracts (if available), and the scale of previous projects. While the NAICS code 334111 suggests a focus on electronic computer manufacturing, their involvement in an ICAM program indicates a potential expansion or specialization into IT services and solutions. Assessing their past performance in similar IT-related projects, cybersecurity, or identity management would be crucial to understanding their capability to successfully execute this DOJ contract.

What is the historical spending pattern for Identity and Access Management (ICAM) within the Department of Justice?

The provided data focuses solely on this specific $2.1 million delivery order and does not offer historical spending patterns for ICAM within the Department of Justice (DOJ). To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze aggregated federal procurement data (e.g., from FPDS or USASpending.gov) for the DOJ over several fiscal years, filtering for contracts related to identity management, access control, cybersecurity, and related IT services. This analysis would reveal trends in spending levels, identify key contractors, and potentially highlight shifts in technology or strategy over time. Without this broader context, it's difficult to determine if this $2.1 million award represents a significant increase, decrease, or continuation of previous investment levels in ICAM.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15JPSS23Q00000034

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8330 BOONE BLVD 8TH FL, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,712,363

Exercised Options: $2,124,415

Current Obligation: $2,124,415

Actual Outlays: $1,600,197

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC17B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline