CISA awards $43.9M contract to Accenture for cybersecurity vulnerability management support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,865,348 ($43.9M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: INSIGHTS PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR THE VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT (VM) CYBERSECURITY DIVISION WITHIN THE CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY (CISA).

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $43.9 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: INSIGHTS PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR THE VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT (VM) CYBERSECURITY DIVISION WITHIN THE CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY (CISA). Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical cybersecurity functions for CISA's Vulnerability Management Division. 2. Accenture Federal Services LLC, a large established contractor, secured this award. 3. The contract duration of 1095 days suggests a need for sustained support. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 5. The use of labor hours pricing may require close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency. 6. This contract aligns with CISA's mission to enhance national cybersecurity infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $43.9 million over three years for specialized cybersecurity support appears reasonable, especially given the critical nature of CISA's mission. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies suggests this falls within expected ranges for complex system design and integration services. The use of labor hours, while common, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent cost overruns. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the award to a reputable contractor for essential services indicates a potentially good use of funds.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors were solicited and had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 6 bidders indicates a competitive environment, which generally benefits price discovery and encourages vendors to offer their best terms. The agency's decision to pursue full and open competition implies confidence in the market's ability to provide qualified contractors for this specialized cybersecurity support.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that is likely to yield a more favorable price and a higher quality of service compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which will receive enhanced support for its crucial vulnerability management operations. Services delivered will bolster CISA's capacity to identify, assess, and mitigate cybersecurity risks across federal networks and critical infrastructure. The geographic impact is national, as CISA's work protects the entire United States from cyber threats. Workforce implications include potential opportunities for cybersecurity professionals skilled in vulnerability management and system design, likely concentrated in areas where Accenture has a presence.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor hours pricing can lead to cost escalation if not managed tightly.
The complexity of cybersecurity systems requires continuous adaptation to evolving threats, posing an ongoing performance risk.
Dependence on a single large contractor for critical functions could present risks if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Award to a well-established contractor with a proven track record in federal IT services.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for high-quality service.
The contract duration indicates a strategic commitment to addressing long-term cybersecurity needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity services. The market for cybersecurity solutions is rapidly growing, driven by increasing cyber threats and regulatory requirements. Federal spending in this area is substantial, with agencies like CISA requiring advanced capabilities to protect national security and critical infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support and cybersecurity consulting services for federal agencies often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to Accenture Federal Services, a large prime contractor, suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized expertise. While large contracts can sometimes trickle down to small businesses through subcontracting opportunities, the absence of explicit set-asides or reporting requirements means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal unless voluntarily pursued by the prime.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CISA contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance work statement, including defined deliverables, service level agreements, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction for this particular contract isn't detailed, the DHS Office of Inspector General generally has oversight over DHS contracts, including those awarded by CISA.

Related Government Programs

Cybersecurity Services
IT Professional Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Vulnerability Management
Information Technology Support
Cybersecurity Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with labor-hour contracts.
Evolving threat landscape requires continuous adaptation.
Dependence on contractor performance for critical security functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $43.9 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. INSIGHTS PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR THE VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT (VM) CYBERSECURITY DIVISION WITHIN THE CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY (CISA).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

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 $43.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.

What is Accenture Federal Services LLC's track record with similar cybersecurity contracts for federal agencies?

Accenture Federal Services LLC has a significant track record of performing IT and cybersecurity-related services for various federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They have been awarded numerous contracts for system integration, cybersecurity consulting, and IT support. Their experience often involves large-scale projects requiring complex technical solutions and adherence to stringent federal security standards. Past performance reviews and contract vehicles can provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability in delivering cybersecurity solutions. Agencies often consider a contractor's history of meeting deadlines, managing budgets, and achieving performance objectives when making new awards.

How does the $43.9 million contract value compare to other CISA cybersecurity support contracts?

The $43.9 million contract value for three years of vulnerability management support is within a reasonable range for specialized cybersecurity services provided to a federal agency like CISA. CISA, as a critical agency responsible for national cybersecurity, requires significant investment in its operational capabilities. Similar contracts for IT support, system modernization, and cybersecurity services awarded to large prime contractors by agencies of comparable size and mission scope often fall within the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over multi-year periods. The specific nature of vulnerability management, which is a continuous and evolving process, justifies a substantial, multi-year commitment.

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

Key risks include the potential for cost overruns due to the labor-hours pricing model, performance issues if the contractor fails to adapt to evolving cyber threats, and over-reliance on a single vendor for critical functions. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by CISA officials, including regular performance reviews, detailed progress reporting, and strict adherence to the performance work statement (PWS). The competitive nature of the award process aims to select a capable vendor, and contract clauses often include incentives for performance and penalties for deficiencies. Furthermore, CISA's internal cybersecurity expertise allows for continuous monitoring and validation of the contractor's efforts.

How effective is CISA's Vulnerability Management program likely to be with this contract support?

The effectiveness of CISA's Vulnerability Management (VM) program is expected to be enhanced by this contract. The award to Accenture Federal Services, a company with significant IT and cybersecurity expertise, suggests that CISA is seeking to bolster its capabilities in identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities. The contract's focus on "INSIGHTS PROGRAM SUPPORT" implies a strategic role in providing analytical and operational assistance. Assuming effective execution and oversight, this support should lead to more comprehensive vulnerability assessments, improved threat intelligence, and more timely remediation efforts, thereby strengthening the overall cybersecurity posture of the networks and systems CISA is responsible for protecting.

What are the historical spending patterns for cybersecurity support at CISA or similar agencies?

Historical spending patterns for cybersecurity support at CISA and similar federal agencies have shown a consistent and increasing trend over the past decade. Agencies are dedicating larger portions of their IT budgets to cybersecurity due to the escalating threat landscape. Spending typically covers a range of services including threat detection and response, vulnerability management, security operations centers (SOCs), penetration testing, and security architecture design. Contracts can be awarded through various vehicles, including prime contracts for direct services, task orders against indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts, and grants. The average annual spending for cybersecurity across federal civilian agencies often runs into billions of dollars, reflecting the critical importance of these functions.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70RCSJ23Q00000049

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Novetta Solutions, LLC

Address: 800 NORTH GLEBE RD #300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $90,471,100

Exercised Options: $46,372,733

Current Obligation: $43,865,348

Actual Outlays: $21,334,088

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $4,682,436

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200002W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline