State Department awards $31.5M for Enterprise Vulnerability Scanning Solution to ClearShark LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,528,184 ($31.5M)
Contractor: Clearshark LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2021-09-30
End Date: 2026-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,857 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: ENTERPRISE VULNERABILITY SCANNING SOLUTION
Place of Performance
Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $31.5 million to CLEARSHARK LLC for work described as: ENTERPRISE VULNERABILITY SCANNING SOLUTION Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1857 days indicates a long-term need for the service. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to a broad range of computer-related services. 5. The award value of over $31.5 million signifies a substantial investment in cybersecurity infrastructure. 6. The contract is managed by the Department of State, highlighting its focus on securing its IT environment.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $31.5 million over approximately five years for an enterprise vulnerability scanning solution appears reasonable given the scope of securing a large federal agency's IT infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale cybersecurity contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. However, without specific details on the deliverables and service levels, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of bids typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite having only two bidders, provides a baseline for fair pricing. Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the contract was not awarded without exploring multiple options, which helps prevent inflated costs.
Public Impact
The Department of State benefits from enhanced cybersecurity capabilities to protect its sensitive data and systems. Federal employees and contractors working with the Department of State will operate in a more secure IT environment. The services delivered will likely involve regular scanning, reporting, and remediation guidance for vulnerabilities across the Department's networks. The geographic impact is national, as the Department of State operates globally, requiring secure communication and data management across all its locations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if the solution is highly proprietary and difficult to replace.
- Ensuring the scanning solution effectively identifies all critical vulnerabilities without excessive false positives.
- The long contract duration could lead to challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats if the solution is not agile.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a structured procurement process.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage budget predictability.
- The contract addresses a critical cybersecurity need for a major federal agency.
Sector Analysis
The cybersecurity market, particularly for vulnerability management solutions, is a rapidly growing sector driven by increasing cyber threats. Federal agencies are significant buyers in this market, investing heavily in tools and services to protect national security and sensitive data. This contract fits within the broader IT services and cybersecurity sector, where spending is consistently high. Comparable spending benchmarks for enterprise-level vulnerability scanning solutions for large organizations can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and features.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to ClearShark LLC and does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless ClearShark LLC actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities related to this large contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.
Related Government Programs
- Cybersecurity Services
- IT Network Security
- Vulnerability Management Systems
- Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance
- Department of State IT Modernization
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may not keep pace with evolving threats.
- Limited competition (2 bidders) could impact price discovery.
- Effectiveness of scanning and reporting needs continuous monitoring.
Tags
it-services, cybersecurity, vulnerability-management, department-of-state, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, enterprise-solution, information-technology, maryland, national-security
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $31.5 million to CLEARSHARK LLC. ENTERPRISE VULNERABILITY SCANNING SOLUTION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CLEARSHARK LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $31.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-10-31.
What is ClearShark LLC's track record with federal government contracts, particularly for cybersecurity solutions?
ClearShark LLC has a history of federal contracting, primarily within the IT and cybersecurity domains. Reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, especially those involving vulnerability scanning or broader network security solutions for agencies like the Department of State or other large federal entities, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. Analyzing past contract values, durations, and any reported performance issues or successes can help assess their suitability for this significant award. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) can detail their contract history, including agencies served, contract types, and award amounts, offering a quantitative basis for evaluating their experience.
How does the $31.5 million contract value compare to similar enterprise vulnerability scanning solutions procured by other federal agencies?
The $31.5 million contract value for an enterprise vulnerability scanning solution over approximately five years is substantial, aligning with the typical investment required for comprehensive cybersecurity across a large federal agency. To benchmark effectively, one would compare this to contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, or GSA for similar services. Factors such as the number of endpoints scanned, the depth of scanning required (e.g., network, application, cloud), reporting capabilities, and integration with existing security infrastructure influence pricing. A preliminary comparison suggests this value is within the expected range for a large-scale federal deployment, but a detailed analysis of scope and deliverables is necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Key risks include the potential for the chosen vulnerability scanning solution to become outdated quickly in the face of evolving cyber threats, leading to incomplete protection. Another risk is the contractor's ability to deliver timely and accurate vulnerability reports and support remediation efforts effectively. Furthermore, the long contract duration could pose a risk if the Department of State's requirements change significantly. Mitigation strategies likely involve performance metrics within the contract, regular reviews of the solution's effectiveness, and clauses that allow for adjustments or termination if performance is unsatisfactory. The firm fixed-price nature also mitigates financial risk for the government, provided the scope is well-defined.
How effective is the Department of State's current vulnerability management program, and how will this contract enhance it?
The effectiveness of the Department of State's current vulnerability management program prior to this contract award is not detailed in the provided data. However, the significant investment in an 'Enterprise Vulnerability Scanning Solution' strongly suggests a strategic effort to bolster or modernize these capabilities. This contract is expected to provide advanced tools and services for continuous monitoring, identification, and prioritization of security weaknesses across the Department's vast IT infrastructure. The goal is to enable proactive threat mitigation, reduce the attack surface, and improve overall cybersecurity posture, thereby enhancing the protection of sensitive diplomatic and national security information.
What are the historical spending patterns for vulnerability scanning solutions at the Department of State or similar agencies?
Historical spending on vulnerability scanning solutions by the Department of State and comparable agencies typically shows a consistent and often increasing trend, reflecting the growing cyber threat landscape. Agencies often procure these solutions through various contract vehicles, including indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts, task orders, and direct awards. Spending can fluctuate based on technology refreshes, major system upgrades, or shifts in cybersecurity strategy. The $31.5 million award represents a significant, multi-year commitment, suggesting a move towards a more centralized and comprehensive enterprise-wide solution rather than fragmented, smaller procurements.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the Department of State's overall cybersecurity posture and risk reduction?
This contract is expected to significantly enhance the Department of State's cybersecurity posture by providing a robust and continuous capability to identify and address vulnerabilities across its extensive network. By enabling proactive scanning and reporting, the solution should help reduce the attack surface, minimize the likelihood of successful cyber intrusions, and protect critical data and systems. The ability to prioritize remediation efforts based on risk will allow the Department to allocate resources more effectively. Ultimately, this investment aims to strengthen the agency's resilience against sophisticated cyber threats, safeguarding its global operations and sensitive information.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 19AQMM21R0234
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7030 DORSEY RD, HANOVER, MD, 21076
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $129,025,950
Exercised Options: $41,841,096
Current Obligation: $31,528,184
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-10-31
Potential End Date: 2031-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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