PBGC awards $198.8K contract for cybersecurity services to Anacapa Micro Products, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $198,760 ($198.8K)

Contractor: Anacapa Micro Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Start Date: 2023-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $182/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CYBERARK

Place of Performance

Location: VENTURA, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 93006

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation obligated $198,759.67 to ANACAPA MICRO PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: CYBERARK Key points: 1. Contract awarded for cybersecurity services, a critical area for government data protection. 2. The contract duration is 3 years, suggesting a need for sustained support. 3. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the agency. 5. The service falls under 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad category. 6. The small business set-aside flag is false, meaning it was not specifically reserved for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $198,759.67 over three years appears modest for cybersecurity services. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more specific service details. However, the fixed-price nature provides cost control. The value suggests a focused scope of work rather than a comprehensive enterprise-wide solution.

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'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded prior to the solicitation. The presence of two bidders suggests some level of competition, but the exclusion of sources might limit the full spectrum of potential offerors and potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even with exclusions, aims to secure a reasonable price for taxpayers. The fact that multiple bids were received suggests that the government received at least some value from competition.

Public Impact

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is the primary beneficiary, receiving cybersecurity services. Services delivered likely include measures to protect sensitive pension data and agency IT infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where Anacapa Micro Products, Inc. is located. Workforce implications are likely minimal, involving a specialized service provider rather than large-scale hiring.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Scope of services is not fully detailed, making it hard to assess value.
Cybersecurity is a high-risk area; effectiveness depends heavily on contractor expertise.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Awarded to a single vendor, simplifying management.
Duration of 3 years allows for consistent service delivery.

Sector Analysis

Cybersecurity services are a rapidly growing segment within the broader IT services sector. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by increasing cyber threats. This contract, while small in dollar value, represents a piece of the overall government effort to secure its digital assets. Comparable spending benchmarks vary widely based on the scope and complexity of services required.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'sb' flag is false. Anacapa Micro Products, Inc. is listed with a small business size standard, but the contract itself was not a small business set-aside. There are no explicit subcontracting implications mentioned, suggesting the primary contractor will likely perform the work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Cybersecurity Services
IT Services
Information Technology

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Scope of services not fully detailed, hindering comprehensive value assessment.
Cybersecurity is a critical but complex field requiring specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation awarded $198,759.67 to ANACAPA MICRO PRODUCTS, INC.. CYBERARK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANACAPA MICRO PRODUCTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $198,759.67.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the specific nature of the cybersecurity services being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services'. While this broadly covers IT services, the specific cybersecurity functions are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, such services could range from vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, security monitoring, incident response, to implementation of security controls. Without a detailed statement of work, it's impossible to ascertain the precise nature of the cybersecurity support Anacapa Micro Products, Inc. is contracted to deliver to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar cybersecurity service contracts awarded by the government?

Direct comparison of pricing is challenging without a detailed scope of work and service level agreements. The total contract value of approximately $198,760 over three years, averaging around $66,250 annually, appears to be on the lower end for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. However, if the scope is limited to specific, niche services or a small number of endpoints, this value could be reasonable. Government-wide, cybersecurity contracts can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars, heavily dependent on the scale and complexity of the required services.

What are the key risks associated with this contract for the PBGC?

Key risks include the potential for inadequate service delivery if the contractor lacks sufficient expertise or resources, despite the fixed-price nature. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition could mean that potentially better-qualified or more cost-effective vendors were not considered. Furthermore, the limited contract value might indicate a narrow scope, potentially leaving gaps in the PBGC's overall cybersecurity posture if not supplemented by other efforts. Ensuring continuous monitoring and performance evaluation will be crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of Anacapa Micro Products, Inc. in performing government cybersecurity contracts?

The provided data does not include specific details on Anacapa Micro Products, Inc.'s past performance or track record with government contracts, particularly in cybersecurity. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations (if available through systems like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any reported issues or successes on previous federal awards. Without this information, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and expertise in delivering these critical services.

How does this contract fit into the PBGC's overall cybersecurity strategy?

This contract likely represents a component of the PBGC's broader cybersecurity strategy, addressing specific needs or vulnerabilities. Given its modest value and the broad NAICS code, it may focus on a particular system, service, or advisory function rather than a holistic security overhaul. The PBGC, like all federal agencies, is subject to numerous cybersecurity mandates and must maintain a robust defense against evolving threats. This award suggests they are actively procuring necessary services to meet these obligations, though its specific role within the larger strategy isn't detailed here.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 16PBGC23Q0062

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Anacapa Micro Products Inc.

Address: 1901 SOLAR DR STE 150, OXNARD, CA, 93036

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $919,350

Exercised Options: $198,760

Current Obligation: $198,760

Actual Outlays: $198,760

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD64B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline