NRC Awards $4.7M IV&V IT Support Contract to AEGIS.NET, Inc. Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,745,718 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Aegis.net, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Start Date: 2021-04-16

End Date: 2027-04-15

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IV&V SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ALL NMSS MISSION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) WHEREIN IV&V SUPPORT SERVICES ARE NECESSARY.

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Nuclear Regulatory Commission obligated $4.7 million to AEGIS.NET, INC. for work described as: IV&V SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ALL NMSS MISSION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) WHEREIN IV&V SUPPORT SERVICES ARE NECESSARY. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for crucial Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) IT support services for the Nuclear Materials Safety and Security (NMSS) mission. 2. AEGIS.NET, Inc. secured the contract, indicating strong performance or competitive advantage in this specialized IT service area. 3. The contract's duration of nearly 6 years suggests a long-term need for these critical IT oversight services. 4. While awarded under full and open competition, the specific value and duration warrant scrutiny for ongoing cost-effectiveness.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.7M over approximately 6 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IV&V IT support contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the competitive award method provides some assurance of fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. The BPA Call award mechanism suggests a streamlined process for task orders under an existing agreement.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield fair market pricing, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for essential IT oversight services.

Public Impact

Ensures the integrity and security of nuclear materials safety and security IT systems through independent validation. Supports regulatory compliance and risk mitigation within the nuclear industry. Provides essential technical expertise for complex IT environments. Contributes to public safety by ensuring the reliability of critical IT infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in IV&V services over the contract duration.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical oversight functions.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition.
Long-term contract provides stability for critical IT support.
Focus on essential safety and security mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' category, specifically focusing on Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) for IT systems. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for robust cybersecurity, system integrity, and regulatory compliance, particularly in high-stakes environments like nuclear safety.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary contractor is AEGIS.NET, Inc., further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The award through full and open competition suggests a degree of established procurement processes. However, ongoing oversight will be crucial to monitor performance, manage scope, and ensure continued cost-effectiveness throughout the contract's lifecycle, especially given the critical nature of the services.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Contracting
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is substantial (nearly 6 years).
Services are critical to nuclear safety and security IT.
No small business participation indicated.
Potential for contractor lock-in over the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded $4.7 million to AEGIS.NET, INC.. IV&V SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ALL NMSS MISSION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) WHEREIN IV&V SUPPORT SERVICES ARE NECESSARY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AEGIS.NET, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Nuclear Regulatory Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-16. End: 2027-04-15.

What specific IT systems and missions are covered under the NMSS IV&V support services, and how does this contract ensure the effectiveness of those systems?

The contract covers IV&V support for all NMSS mission IT systems where such services are necessary. This includes rigorous testing, analysis, and validation of IT systems to ensure their reliability, security, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Effectiveness is measured through independent assessments of system performance, risk identification, and verification that systems meet their intended operational and safety objectives.

Given the critical nature of nuclear safety, what are the primary risks associated with relying on AEGIS.NET, Inc. for IV&V IT support, and how are these risks mitigated?

Primary risks include potential contractor performance issues, over-reliance on a single entity, and the possibility of evolving threats or system complexities outpacing the contractor's expertise. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance metrics, clear deliverables, regular government oversight, contingency planning, and potentially incorporating mechanisms for knowledge transfer or independent government assessments to supplement the contractor's work.

How does the pricing structure (labor hours) for this contract ensure value for taxpayer money, considering the specialized nature of IV&V IT services?

The labor hour pricing structure allows flexibility to adapt to the evolving needs of IV&V services. Value is ensured through the competitive bidding process, which establishes a baseline rate. Ongoing monitoring of labor hours utilized against defined tasks and outcomes, coupled with performance evaluations, helps verify that the expenditure is justified by the achieved results and the criticality of the IT systems being validated.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 31310021Q0017

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Aegis.net Inc

Address: 2275 RESEARCH BLVD, STE 500, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,996,941

Exercised Options: $5,737,982

Current Obligation: $4,745,718

Actual Outlays: $4,031,320

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 31310020A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline