DHS awards $25.8M to MITRE for cybersecurity R&D to enhance federal capabilities and response
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,811,558 ($25.8M)
Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2021-04-16
End Date: 2022-04-15
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $70.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING REQUIREMENTS, CAPABILITIES, DATA MODELS, SERVICES, AND TECHNICAL PRODUCTS THAT WILL ENHANCE FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY CAPABILITIES, POSTURE, CYBERSECURITY RESPONSE, AND AUTOMATED INDICATORS THAT CSD SHARES WITH STAKEHOLDERS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $25.8 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING REQUIREMENTS, CAPABILITIES, DATA MODELS, SERVICES, AND TECHNICAL PRODUCTS THAT WILL ENHANCE FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY CAPABILITIES, POSTURE, CYBERSECURITY RESPONSE, AND AUTOMATED INDICATORS THAT CSD SHARES WITH STAKEHOLDERS. Key points: 1. Focus on enhancing federal cybersecurity posture and response capabilities. 2. Contract awarded to The MITRE Corporation, a known entity in R&D. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is the primary NAICS code. 4. Potential for significant impact on automated indicators shared with stakeholders.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure is common for R&D. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but the total award value appears reasonable for the scope of enhancing national cybersecurity.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially competitive innovation, but may be justified if MITRE possesses unique capabilities for this specific cybersecurity R&D.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards a single entity for critical cybersecurity enhancements, with the expectation of improved national security posture.
Public Impact
Improved federal cybersecurity defenses against evolving threats. Enhanced capabilities for detecting and responding to cyber incidents. Development of automated indicators to share threat intelligence. Strengthened national cybersecurity posture through advanced research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- R&D outcomes can be uncertain and difficult to quantify.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical national cybersecurity needs.
- Leverages MITRE's expertise in R&D.
- Focus on automated indicators for rapid threat sharing.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Federal spending in cybersecurity R&D is substantial, driven by the increasing threat landscape and the need for advanced technological solutions.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The MITRE Corporation and does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses. The nature of the R&D may not lend itself to subcontracting opportunities for SMBs.
Oversight & Accountability
The Office of Procurement Operations within DHS is responsible for managing this contract. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the R&D objectives are met efficiently and effectively within the awarded budget.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Office of Procurement Operations Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- R&D inherent uncertainty
- Potential for limited small business participation
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-homeland-security, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $25.8 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING REQUIREMENTS, CAPABILITIES, DATA MODELS, SERVICES, AND TECHNICAL PRODUCTS THAT WILL ENHANCE FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY CAPABILITIES, POSTURE, CYBERSECURITY RESPONSE, AND AUTOMATED INDICATORS THAT CSD SHARES WITH STAKEHOLDERS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-04-16. End: 2022-04-15.
What specific cybersecurity capabilities and posture enhancements are expected from this R&D investment?
The contract aims to identify requirements, capabilities, data models, services, and technical products to bolster federal cybersecurity. This includes improving the overall cybersecurity posture, enhancing response mechanisms, and developing automated indicators for better threat intelligence sharing among stakeholders.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source R&D contract of this nature?
The main risks include a lack of competitive pricing, potentially higher costs than a competed contract, and the possibility that alternative, innovative solutions might be overlooked. There's also the inherent risk in R&D that outcomes may not fully meet expectations or timelines.
How will the effectiveness of the R&D outcomes be measured and validated?
Effectiveness will likely be measured by the successful development and implementation of the identified cybersecurity capabilities, services, and products. Validation may involve testing the enhanced posture, response times, and the utility of automated indicators by relevant DHS components and stakeholders.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,549,942
Exercised Options: $32,549,942
Current Obligation: $25,811,558
Actual Outlays: $9,777,501
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 6
Total Subaward Amount: $1,377,797
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70RSAT20D00000001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-04-16
Current End Date: 2022-04-15
Potential End Date: 2022-04-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-24
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