VA awards $13.15M for Enterprise Security Architecture Support to MAVERIS LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,151,107 ($13.2M)

Contractor: Maveris LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-11-06

End Date: 2026-11-05

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTERPRISE SECURITY ARCHITECTURE (ESA) SUPPORT BASE PERIOD + OPTIONAL TASKS ONE AND TWO

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20420

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $13.2 million to MAVERIS LLC for work described as: ENTERPRISE SECURITY ARCHITECTURE (ESA) SUPPORT BASE PERIOD + OPTIONAL TASKS ONE AND TWO Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for Enterprise Security Architecture (ESA) Support, a critical function for IT infrastructure. 3. The base period plus two optional tasks indicate potential for extended service delivery. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The award was made by the Department of Veterans Affairs, a major federal agency. 6. The contract duration is approximately two years, including optional periods. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 points to custom computer programming services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.15 million for two years of ESA support appears reasonable given the scope of custom computer programming services required by a large agency like the VA. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for security architecture would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government when requirements are well-defined, as it caps the government's financial exposure.

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. With 11 bidders, the competition level suggests a healthy market interest in providing these services to the VA. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down the price and ensured the government received a strong value proposition for its investment in enterprise security architecture.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs benefits from enhanced enterprise security architecture, crucial for protecting sensitive veteran data. Services delivered include custom computer programming and support for security architecture. The contract is geographically focused on the District of Columbia, where the VA's operations are likely centralized. The contract supports the IT workforce by engaging a private sector entity for specialized security expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if ESA support becomes highly specialized and integrated.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical security architecture could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving cybersecurity threats and VA policies requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, MAVERIS LLC, is selected through a competitive process, implying suitability for the task.
The contract addresses a critical IT function: enterprise security architecture.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly custom computer programming and cybersecurity support, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract for Enterprise Security Architecture (ESA) Support fits within the broader category of IT modernization and cybersecurity initiatives. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar ESA support contracts within large federal agencies would typically range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and scope.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem will depend on whether MAVERIS LLC utilizes small business subcontractors for any portion of the work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which requires the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities are typically internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

VA IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Cybersecurity Programs
Custom Computer Programming Services
Enterprise Architecture Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Contractor performance risk for critical security functions.
Dependency on a single vendor for specialized architectural support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $13.2 million to MAVERIS LLC. ENTERPRISE SECURITY ARCHITECTURE (ESA) SUPPORT BASE PERIOD + OPTIONAL TASKS ONE AND TWO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MAVERIS 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 $13.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-06. End: 2026-11-05.

What is MAVERIS LLC's track record with the federal government, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Information on MAVERIS LLC's specific track record with the federal government, and the VA in particular, would require a deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. However, the award of this contract suggests they have met the VA's requirements for technical capability and past performance. Analyzing their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in delivering similar services. Without specific data on prior contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record beyond their successful bid for this current requirement.

How does the $13.15 million contract value compare to similar Enterprise Security Architecture support contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $13.15 million contract against similar ESA support contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, for a two-year period covering base and optional tasks for a large agency like the VA, this value appears within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. Contracts for enterprise-level security architecture can vary significantly based on the agency's size, complexity of its IT infrastructure, and the specific services required (e.g., policy development, threat modeling, system integration). A preliminary assessment suggests the pricing is competitive, especially given the full and open competition and 11 bidders, which typically drives down costs.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance issues from the contractor, changes in VA security requirements, and the inherent risk of relying on external support for critical security functions. Mitigation strategies include the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and deliver within budget. The VA's oversight mechanisms, including contract management and performance monitoring, are crucial for identifying and addressing any performance shortfalls. Furthermore, the competitive nature of the award suggests a thorough vetting of MAVERIS LLC's capabilities. The contract's duration also allows for phased implementation and adjustment.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific ESA support requirement?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined, as it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For Enterprise Security Architecture (ESA) support, where requirements can be clearly articulated (e.g., specific deliverables, architectural frameworks, policy adherence), FFP can lead to predictable costs for the VA. This structure incentivizes MAVERIS LLC to perform efficiently and manage its resources effectively to maintain profitability. However, if the scope proves to be more complex or fluid than initially defined, the VA might face challenges if change orders become necessary, potentially increasing the overall cost.

What are the historical spending patterns for Enterprise Security Architecture support at the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for ESA support at the VA would involve examining past contracts for similar services. This contract, valued at approximately $6.57 million per year (pro-rated for the base and options), represents a significant investment. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to establish a trend. However, federal agencies, including the VA, have been increasingly prioritizing cybersecurity and IT infrastructure modernization, suggesting a potential upward trend in spending for services like ESA support. Understanding past spending levels would help determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable investment in this area.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8180 GREENSBORO DR STE 1000, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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: $37,635,300

Exercised Options: $13,151,107

Current Obligation: $13,151,107

Actual Outlays: $8,067,081

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $2,859,085

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA18D008Q

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline