State Department's $6.3M Insider Threat Communications Contract Awarded to Tatitlek Federal Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,314,979 ($6.3M)

Contractor: Tatitlek Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SI IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR INSIDER THREAT COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST POSITIONS

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $6.3 million to TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: SI IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR INSIDER THREAT COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST POSITIONS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized administrative and management consulting for insider threat communications. 2. Awarded via a delivery order under an existing IDIQ, suggesting a pre-established relationship or framework. 3. The contract duration of 1460 days (4 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The specific nature of 'insider threat communications' points to a critical security function within the agency. 5. Limited competition is noted, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market responsiveness. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting larger prime contractors are involved.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.3 million over four years for specialized communication support appears moderate for a federal agency. Benchmarking against similar contracts for insider threat analysis or communication specialists is difficult without more granular data on the specific tasks and deliverables. However, the labor hours pricing model (PT: LABOR HOURS) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Without a competitive bidding process, it's harder to definitively assess if the pricing represents excellent value for money compared to what could be achieved in a more open market.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded as a delivery order under an existing IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) contract, and is noted as 'NOT COMPETED' at the task order level. This implies that the IDIQ itself may have been competed, but this specific task order was likely awarded directly to Tatitlek Federal Services without further solicitation. This approach is common for leveraging existing contract vehicles but limits direct price competition for this specific requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: When a task order is not competed, taxpayers may not benefit from the potentially lower prices that could arise from a competitive bidding process. This can lead to higher costs if the awarded contractor does not offer the most competitive rates available in the market.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of State, which receives specialized support for its insider threat communication programs. Services delivered include expert consultation and support related to identifying, analyzing, and mitigating insider threats through communication strategies. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of State's operational sphere, likely supporting its domestic and potentially international security efforts. Workforce implications involve the engagement of specialized personnel to fulfill critical security communication roles, potentially augmenting or supporting existing government staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of task-order level competition could lead to suboptimal pricing.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical insider threat communications may pose a risk if performance falters.
The 'labor hours' pricing model requires diligent oversight to prevent scope creep and cost overruns.

Positive Signals

Award to an established entity (Tatitlek Federal Services) may indicate a level of trust and proven capability.
Utilizing an IDIQ vehicle suggests a streamlined procurement process for an ongoing need.
Focus on insider threat communications addresses a vital national security concern.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management and general management consulting. The market for insider threat analysis and communication support is specialized, often involving firms with expertise in cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, and behavioral science. While specific market size data for this niche is scarce, the overall federal spending on management consulting services is substantial, often in the tens of billions annually. This contract represents a small but critical component of the government's broader security and intelligence infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses (SS: false, SB: false). This indicates that the primary award went to a large business, Tatitlek Federal Services LLC. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific task order. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the scope of work was likely deemed too specialized or required capabilities best met by larger, established firms, potentially limiting direct opportunities for small businesses on this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of State. As a delivery order under an IDIQ, the underlying IDIQ contract likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which record award details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract is suspected or reported.

Related Government Programs

Insider Threat Programs
Security Consulting Services
Federal Workforce Security
Information Security Management
Department of State Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Cost Overruns (Labor Hours)
Lack of Small Business Subcontracting Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $6.3 million to TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. SI IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR INSIDER THREAT COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST POSITIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific nature of the 'insider threat communications' services required under this contract?

The contract specifies support for 'Insider Threat Communications Specialist Positions.' This suggests the need for expertise in developing and implementing communication strategies related to the government's insider threat program. Such services could encompass a range of activities, including creating awareness campaigns for employees about identifying and reporting potential threats, developing internal messaging to reinforce security protocols, analyzing communication patterns that might indicate risk, and advising leadership on effective communication strategies to mitigate insider threats. The goal is to foster a security-conscious culture and provide clear channels for reporting suspicious activities, thereby preventing espionage, sabotage, or data theft by individuals within the organization.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar services for insider threat analysis or communication support?

Direct price comparison is challenging without detailed task breakdowns and specific labor rates. However, the total award of $6.3 million over four years averages to $1.575 million per year. Given that this is for specialized 'communications specialist positions,' the cost per specialist could range significantly based on experience and security clearances required. Federal contracts for specialized consulting, particularly in security and intelligence, often command premium rates due to the expertise and vetting involved. The 'labor hours' pricing model means the final cost depends heavily on the actual hours worked by the contractor's personnel. Without competitive bids at the task order level, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents the best market price.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract without further competition at the task order level?

The primary risk of not competing the task order is the potential for paying a higher price than might be achievable through a competitive process. Without multiple bids, the Department of State may not benefit from the most cost-effective solution available in the market. Additionally, limited competition can reduce the incentive for the awarded contractor to innovate or maintain the highest levels of service quality over the contract's duration, as alternative options are not readily available. There's also a risk that the chosen vendor might not be the absolute best fit for the evolving needs of the insider threat program if alternatives were not explored.

What is Tatitlek Federal Services LLC's track record with the Department of State or similar federal agencies?

Tatitlek Federal Services LLC has a history of contracting with the Department of State, as indicated by this award being a delivery order under an existing IDIQ. Publicly available data suggests the company has received multiple federal contracts, primarily focused on professional services, logistics, and base operations support. Their experience likely includes providing personnel and management services to various government agencies. A deeper dive into their performance history with the State Department, including past performance evaluations and any documented issues, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their reliability and capability for this specific insider threat communications role.

How does this contract align with the Department of State's overall spending on security and administrative support services?

This $6.3 million contract represents a specific allocation towards enhancing the Department of State's insider threat mitigation capabilities through specialized communication support. It aligns with broader federal and agency-level priorities to protect sensitive information and personnel from internal risks. While $6.3 million is a notable sum, it should be viewed within the context of the State Department's overall annual budget, which runs into the tens of billions of dollars, and its significant spending on a wide array of security, diplomatic, and operational support services. This contract is a focused investment in a critical, albeit niche, area of security.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM22R0211

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 561 E 36TH AVE STE 400, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,694,020

Exercised Options: $12,624,679

Current Obligation: $6,314,979

Actual Outlays: $625,962

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM22D0086

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline