Treasury's IRS Awards $5.6M for Network Upgrade to Support Telework Amidst COVID-19
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,624,942 ($5.6M)
Contractor: FCN, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury
Start Date: 2020-06-01
End Date: 2025-04-16
Contract Duration: 1,780 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: UPGRADE FOR CCGV2/ERAP INFRASTRUCTURE FROM 4G TO 10G IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED TELEWORK WORKFORCE, ACQUIRING APPLIANCES WITH REQUISITE LICENSES, CONFIGURATION/ INSTALLATION FOR INTRUSION DETECTION TECHNOLOGY&PACKET DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGY. COVID-19
Place of Performance
Location: MEMPHIS, SHELBY County, TENNESSEE, 38118
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Treasury obligated $5.6 million to FCN, INC. for work described as: UPGRADE FOR CCGV2/ERAP INFRASTRUCTURE FROM 4G TO 10G IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED TELEWORK WORKFORCE, ACQUIRING APPLIANCES WITH REQUISITE LICENSES, CONFIGURATION/ INSTALLATION FOR INTRUSION DETECTION TECHNOLOGY&PACKET DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGY. COVID-19 Key points: 1. Spending supports critical infrastructure upgrades for increased telework. 2. FCN, Inc. secured the contract via full and open competition. 3. The contract addresses cybersecurity needs with intrusion detection and packet distribution. 4. This spending aligns with the broader trend of federal IT modernization.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $5.6M appears reasonable for a multi-year network infrastructure upgrade, including hardware, software, and installation services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale network modernization projects would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method is expected to yield fair market prices.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to enhance critical IT infrastructure, improving the IRS's operational resilience and ability to support its workforce, particularly in remote work scenarios.
Public Impact
Enhanced cybersecurity for sensitive taxpayer data. Improved IRS operational efficiency through upgraded network capabilities. Support for a more flexible and resilient federal workforce. Investment in modern IT infrastructure for a key government agency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise.
- Reliance on a single vendor for specialized appliances and licenses.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical need for enhanced telework infrastructure.
- Utilizes competitive procurement for price discovery.
- Invests in cybersecurity to protect sensitive data.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on network infrastructure and cybersecurity. Federal spending in this area has surged to support modernization efforts and increased remote work capabilities, especially post-COVID-19.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to FCN, Inc. No specific small business set-aside or subcontracting goals were indicated in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Treasury's Internal Revenue Service. Standard federal procurement oversight processes would apply, including reviews by agency contracting officers and potentially the Government Accountability Office (GAO) if protests arise.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of the Treasury Contracting
- Internal Revenue Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in with specific appliances/licenses.
- Cybersecurity risks associated with new technology implementation.
- Dependency on vendor for configuration and installation expertise.
- Long contract duration (nearly 5 years) may not adapt to rapidly evolving tech.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-the-treasury, tn, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Treasury awarded $5.6 million to FCN, INC.. UPGRADE FOR CCGV2/ERAP INFRASTRUCTURE FROM 4G TO 10G IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED TELEWORK WORKFORCE, ACQUIRING APPLIANCES WITH REQUISITE LICENSES, CONFIGURATION/ INSTALLATION FOR INTRUSION DETECTION TECHNOLOGY&PACKET DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGY. COVID-19
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FCN, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-06-01. End: 2025-04-16.
What is the specific breakdown of costs for hardware, software licenses, and installation services within the $5.6M award?
The provided data does not detail the cost breakdown for hardware, software licenses, and installation. A comprehensive understanding of value for money would require this granular information. Such details are typically found in the contract's statement of work or detailed pricing tables, which are not included here.
What are the specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) tied to the 10G network upgrade and intrusion detection technology?
The provided data does not specify performance metrics or SLAs for the network upgrade or intrusion detection technology. Effective oversight would necessitate clearly defined metrics to ensure the delivered technology meets the IRS's operational requirements and security standards, particularly concerning network speed and threat detection efficacy.
How will the effectiveness of the new intrusion detection and packet distribution technology be measured post-implementation?
The effectiveness of the new technologies will likely be measured through a combination of network performance monitoring, security incident reporting, and penetration testing. The IRS should establish clear benchmarks and reporting mechanisms to assess the reduction in security threats and the overall improvement in network visibility and control.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 151933
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2600 TOWER OAKS BLVD STE 575, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,624,942
Exercised Options: $5,624,942
Current Obligation: $5,624,942
Actual Outlays: $5,624,942
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC71B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-06-01
Current End Date: 2025-04-16
Potential End Date: 2025-04-16 17:42:10
Last Modified: 2026-01-28
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