VA awards $66.6M IT contract for Identity and Access Management to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $66,638,427 ($66.6M)

Contractor: BY Light Professional IT Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-07-05

End Date: 2026-07-04

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $91.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $66.6 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC for work described as: IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical Identity and Access Management (IAM) services, essential for cybersecurity and data protection. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The duration of 729 days indicates a significant, ongoing need for these services. 5. The awardee, BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC, is positioned to deliver specialized IT support. 6. This contract represents a substantial investment in securing sensitive veteran data and systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $66.6M over two years for Identity and Access Management services appears reasonable given the critical nature of IAM functions. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT service contracts for federal agencies suggests this falls within expected spending ranges for comprehensive IAM solutions. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator of value. Without specific per-unit cost data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process implies a degree of market validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of proposals received is not detailed. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as vendors vie for the contract. The agency's decision to use full and open competition implies confidence in the market's ability to meet the requirements effectively.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process as it typically drives down costs and ensures the government receives the best possible value for its investment in essential IT services.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from enhanced security and privacy of their personal and health information through robust IAM. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will receive critical IT services to manage user access and protect sensitive data. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting the VA's nationwide IT infrastructure. The contract supports IT professionals and cybersecurity experts within BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the tech sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if transition to a new provider is complex.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IAM functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving cybersecurity threats and best practices requires proactive vendor management.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and potential for strong performance.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability and reduces financial risk for the government.
The contract addresses a core IT security function, demonstrating the agency's commitment to protecting sensitive data.

Sector Analysis

The Identity and Access Management (IAM) sector within federal IT services is a rapidly growing and critical area. Agencies are increasingly investing in IAM solutions to combat sophisticated cyber threats, manage user credentials, and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations. The market is characterized by a mix of large system integrators and specialized cybersecurity firms. This contract, valued at $66.6M, represents a significant procurement within this sector, reflecting the VA's substantial need for robust IAM capabilities to protect veteran data and maintain operational integrity.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC, a company that may or may not be classified as a small business itself, suggests that the primary focus was on securing the most capable provider through open competition. This approach may limit direct opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract, though they may compete for other set-aside opportunities or work as subcontractors to larger prime contractors on different vehicles.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a set cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The VA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract, ensuring accountability.

Related Government Programs

Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management (FICAM)
Cybersecurity Services
IT Modernization Programs
Cloud Security Solutions
Data Protection Services

Risk Flags

Cybersecurity Risk
Vendor Performance Risk
Technical Integration Complexity
Data Privacy Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $66.6 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC. IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $66.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-05. End: 2026-07-04.

What is the track record of BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC in delivering similar Identity and Access Management solutions to federal agencies?

BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC has a history of providing IT services to federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. While specific details on their IAM project portfolio are not fully elaborated in this data, their past performance on IT contracts would have been a key factor in the VA's evaluation during the procurement process. Agencies typically review past performance metrics, including on-time delivery, quality of service, and customer satisfaction, when making award decisions. Further investigation into their contract history and client testimonials would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their IAM capabilities and reliability.

How does the awarded price of $66.6M compare to the market rate for similar Identity and Access Management services?

The awarded price of $66.6 million over two years for comprehensive Identity and Access Management (IAM) services is substantial, reflecting the complexity and criticality of securing federal IT systems. Benchmarking this against industry reports and similar government contracts indicates that large-scale IAM procurements can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and specific technologies involved. Given that this contract was awarded under full and open competition with two bids, it suggests the price is competitive within the market for such specialized services. However, a precise comparison would require detailed analysis of the specific service components, labor categories, and geographic coverage included in the contract statement of work.

What are the primary risks associated with this Identity and Access Management contract for the VA?

Key risks for this IAM contract include potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities if the implemented solutions are not robust or are misconfigured, leading to unauthorized access. There's also a risk of vendor performance issues, where BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC might not meet service level agreements, impacting the VA's operational efficiency and security posture. Furthermore, the complexity of integrating IAM systems with existing VA infrastructure presents technical integration risks. Finally, changes in federal regulations or evolving threat landscapes could necessitate contract modifications or additional investments, posing financial and operational risks.

How effective is the current Identity and Access Management strategy at the VA, and how does this contract contribute to its effectiveness?

This contract is crucial for the VA's overall IAM strategy, aiming to enhance the security and manageability of user access across its vast network. Effective IAM is fundamental to protecting sensitive veteran data, ensuring compliance, and enabling seamless access for authorized personnel. By awarding this contract, the VA is investing in modernizing its IAM capabilities, likely addressing identified gaps or weaknesses in its current strategy. The success of this contract will directly correlate with the VA's ability to maintain a strong security posture, reduce the attack surface, and improve user experience, thereby contributing significantly to the effectiveness of its broader cybersecurity framework.

What has been the historical spending trend for Identity and Access Management services at the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending on Identity and Access Management (IAM) services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has likely been significant and increasing, mirroring the broader federal trend towards enhanced cybersecurity. While specific historical figures for IAM alone are not provided, the VA's overall IT budget is substantial, with a considerable portion allocated to security and infrastructure management. Given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the critical nature of veteran data, the VA has consistently prioritized investments in areas like IAM. This $66.6M contract represents a major component of that ongoing investment, suggesting a sustained or growing commitment to robust IAM solutions.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: T4NG-0730

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8484 WESTPARK DR STE 600, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $137,832,824

Exercised Options: $66,638,427

Current Obligation: $66,638,427

Actual Outlays: $27,240,289

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $4,206,846

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA11816D1019

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline