SEC awards $6.5M for secure web services, highlighting a need for robust digital infrastructure

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,482,971 ($6.5M)

Contractor: Nava PBC

Awarding Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission

Start Date: 2025-01-02

End Date: 2026-12-30

Contract Duration: 727 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SECURE ENTERPRISE WEBSITES AND WEB APPLICATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Securities and Exchange Commission obligated $6.5 million to NAVA PBC for work described as: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SECURE ENTERPRISE WEBSITES AND WEB APPLICATIONS Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in maintaining secure online platforms. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized services. 3. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 4. Duration of the contract indicates a long-term need for ongoing web support. 5. Focus on secure enterprise websites points to critical data protection requirements. 6. The award to NAVA PBC warrants a review of their past performance in similar roles.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $6.5 million over two years for secure web services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar contracts for custom computer programming and IT support services for federal agencies suggests this is within the expected range. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for value. However, a more granular analysis of the specific services included and their associated labor categories would be necessary for a definitive value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) utilized a BPA Call, suggesting that a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement was in place, from which this specific task order was issued. The level of competition, while not explicitly detailed by the number of bidders, is generally positive for price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment among vendors, driving down costs and encouraging innovation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its stakeholders, who will receive enhanced security and reliability for critical web applications. Services delivered include support for secure enterprise websites and web applications, ensuring the integrity and availability of online platforms. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the SEC's primary operations are located. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of IT professionals by NAVA PBC and potential indirect benefits to the cybersecurity and web development sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness.
The duration of the contract (727 days) could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'support services' is not tightly controlled.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
The contract addresses a critical need for secure web infrastructure, indicating strategic importance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming services and IT support. The market for secure web application development and maintenance is substantial, driven by increasing cybersecurity threats and the growing reliance on digital platforms across all industries, including government. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts within federal agencies often range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While NAVA PBC is the prime contractor, there is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans with small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and how they might impact the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Securities and Exchange Commission's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases like FPDS. The Inspector General of the SEC may also have jurisdiction for audits and investigations related to contract performance and financial integrity.

Related Government Programs

IT Infrastructure Support
Cybersecurity Services
Custom Software Development
Web Application Maintenance
Federal IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to contract duration.
Dependence on contractor's cybersecurity expertise.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Securities and Exchange Commission awarded $6.5 million to NAVA PBC. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SECURE ENTERPRISE WEBSITES AND WEB APPLICATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NAVA PBC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Securities and Exchange Commission (Securities and Exchange Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-02. End: 2026-12-30.

What is NAVA PBC's track record with the federal government, particularly in providing secure web services?

Information regarding NAVA PBC's specific track record with the federal government, especially concerning secure enterprise web services, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would involve examining past federal contracts awarded to NAVA PBC, their performance ratings (if available), and any documented successes or challenges in similar projects. Understanding their experience with agencies of similar size and complexity to the SEC would be crucial for assessing their capability to fulfill this contract effectively. Publicly available contract databases and performance assessment tools would be the primary sources for this information.

How does the $6.5 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by the SEC or other federal agencies?

The $6.5 million contract value for secure web services over approximately two years appears to be within a moderate range for federal IT support contracts. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to benchmark against contracts with similar scope, duration, and service requirements (e.g., custom computer programming, website maintenance, cybersecurity support) awarded by the SEC or comparable agencies like the Department of Treasury or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Factors such as the number of users supported, the criticality of the applications, and the specific security protocols required significantly influence pricing. Without more granular data on the services included, a definitive comparison is challenging, but the value seems aligned with typical federal IT service procurements of this nature.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for secure web services, KPIs would focus on aspects such as website uptime and availability (e.g., 99.9% uptime), response times for security incidents, successful patch deployment rates, vulnerability remediation timelines, and user satisfaction. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the contractor is responsible for meeting defined service levels, and failure to do so could result in penalties or non-payment. The SEC's contracting officer would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and ensuring the contractor meets the contractual obligations.

What is the historical spending pattern of the SEC on similar secure web services?

Analyzing the SEC's historical spending on similar secure web services would require accessing historical contract data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying previous contracts for website support, cybersecurity, and custom web application development. By aggregating the values of these past contracts, one could identify trends, average spending levels, and potential fluctuations in demand. This historical context is crucial for understanding whether the current $6.5 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical IT functions for the agency.

Are there any specific cybersecurity risks associated with the services being procured under this contract?

The primary cybersecurity risk associated with procuring secure web services is the potential for breaches or vulnerabilities within the systems the contractor supports or develops. Given the SEC's mission, the data handled by its web applications is likely sensitive, including financial information and regulatory filings. Risks include unauthorized access, data exfiltration, denial-of-service attacks, and malware infections. The contract's focus on 'secure' services implies that robust security measures, adherence to federal cybersecurity standards (like NIST guidelines), and prompt incident response are critical. The effectiveness of NAVA PBC's security practices and the SEC's oversight will be key to mitigating these risks.

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 - COMPUTE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 50310224Q0154

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 601 13TH ST NW FL 12, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,534,953

Exercised Options: $6,482,971

Current Obligation: $6,482,971

Actual Outlays: $3,216,841

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $780,804

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 50310223A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline