DHS awards $27.9M sole-source contract to MITRE for cybersecurity R&D and engineering support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,878,258 ($27.9M)
Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2024-04-26
End Date: 2025-04-25
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $76.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: INDEPENDENT CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE, REQUIREMENTS DEVELOPMENT AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $27.9 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: INDEPENDENT CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE, REQUIREMENTS DEVELOPMENT AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SUPPORT. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical cybersecurity research and development, enterprise architecture, and systems engineering. 2. MITRE Corporation, a well-known entity in R&D, is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract value of $27.9M over one year warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness. 4. The sector is IT/Cybersecurity, a high-priority area for government spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables and comparable contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to The MITRE Corporation. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces competitive pressure to achieve the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being allocated without exploring competitive options, which may result in a higher cost than a competed procurement.
Public Impact
Enhances critical cybersecurity capabilities for the Department of Homeland Security. Supports the development of enterprise architecture and systems engineering for advanced technologies. Ensures continued research and development in a vital national security area.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires careful oversight to control costs.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awardee is a specialized R&D organization (MITRE).
- Contract addresses critical cybersecurity needs.
- Clear period of performance and funding allocation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and R&D sectors, specifically focusing on cybersecurity and enterprise architecture. Government spending in this area is substantial and growing due to increasing cyber threats.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses, and the awardee is a large, established R&D organization. This suggests limited direct opportunities for small businesses on this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations is responsible for this award. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure does not lead to excessive costs and that deliverables meet requirements.
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
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on specific deliverables and metrics
- No small business participation noted
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-homeland-security, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $27.9 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. INDEPENDENT CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE, REQUIREMENTS DEVELOPMENT AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SUPPORT.
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 $27.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-26. End: 2025-04-25.
What specific cybersecurity research and development outcomes are expected from this contract, and how will their value be measured?
The contract aims to support independent cybersecurity research and development, enterprise architectural expertise, and requirements development. Measuring value will likely involve assessing the successful delivery of research findings, architectural blueprints, and engineering support that enhance DHS's cybersecurity posture and technological infrastructure. Specific metrics should be defined in the contract's statement of work to ensure accountability and tangible benefits.
Given the sole-source nature, what steps are being taken to mitigate the risk of inflated pricing and ensure fair value for taxpayers?
While sole-source awards inherently limit competitive price discovery, mitigation strategies may include rigorous negotiation of the fixed fee, detailed cost analysis of the contractor's proposed budget, and robust oversight of incurred costs. The government may also leverage historical pricing data for similar services or conduct independent cost estimates to validate the reasonableness of the proposed price.
How does this contract align with broader DHS cybersecurity strategies and priorities, and what is the expected impact on overall effectiveness?
This contract directly supports DHS's mission to secure the nation by advancing cybersecurity research and development and providing essential engineering expertise. By engaging MITRE, DHS likely aims to leverage specialized knowledge for critical infrastructure protection and threat mitigation. The expected impact is enhanced operational effectiveness through improved systems engineering, architectural planning, and proactive R&D in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: PCCS-24-20002
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: $39,818,477
Exercised Options: $39,818,477
Current Obligation: $27,878,258
Actual Outlays: $27,804,301
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: 2024-04-26
Current End Date: 2025-04-25
Potential End Date: 2025-04-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-11-05
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