HHS Spends $32M on Cybersecurity Support for CMS via Assyst Inc. Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,982,091 ($32.0M)
Contractor: Assyst Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2018-02-14
End Date: 2023-02-13
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ENTERPRISE CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $32.0 million to ASSYST INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ENTERPRISE CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant investment in enterprise cybersecurity program support for CMS. 2. Contract awarded to ASSYST INC. for Computer Systems Design Services. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount is $31.98 million over five years. Benchmarking against similar contracts for enterprise cybersecurity support is difficult without more granular data on service scope, but the pricing appears reasonable for a long-term, comprehensive support contract.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government. The use of a delivery order suggests a structured procurement process.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential cybersecurity services.
Public Impact
Ensures the security of critical healthcare data managed by CMS. Supports the operational integrity of vital healthcare systems. Contributes to the overall cybersecurity posture of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized
- Long-term contract for critical services
- Supports a major federal agency (HHS/CMS)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. Spending on cybersecurity within the federal government has been steadily increasing due to growing threats, making this a significant area of expenditure.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this particular award, though they may participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a major agency within HHS. Oversight would typically involve program managers and contracting officers ensuring performance and adherence to terms.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific service details limits value assessment.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Per-unit cost benchmark not calculable from provided data.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $32.0 million to ASSYST INC.. IGF::OT::IGF ENTERPRISE CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASSYST INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $32.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-02-14. End: 2023-02-13.
What specific cybersecurity services are included in this contract, and how do they align with current threat landscapes?
The contract details are limited, but 'Computer Systems Design Services' suggests a broad scope including system integration, network security, and potentially software development for security purposes. A detailed review of the Statement of Work (SOW) would be necessary to understand the specific services and their relevance to evolving cyber threats.
How was the 'best value' determined in this full and open competition, considering the firm fixed price structure?
In a full and open competition with a firm fixed price, 'best value' is typically determined by evaluating factors beyond just price, such as technical approach, past performance, and management capabilities. The government likely weighed these non-price factors against the proposed price to select the offeror providing the most advantageous solution.
What is the benchmarked cost per user or per system protected by this contract to assess its cost-effectiveness?
Without specific metrics on the number of users, systems, or endpoints protected, it is impossible to establish a meaningful per-unit cost benchmark. The provided data lacks the granularity needed for such an analysis, making it difficult to definitively assess cost-effectiveness on a per-unit basis.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: RFPCMS2016SPARC
Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 22866 SHAW RD, STERLING, VA, 20166
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,744,057
Exercised Options: $32,643,505
Current Obligation: $31,982,091
Actual Outlays: $14,266,560
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201600031I
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-02-14
Current End Date: 2023-02-13
Potential End Date: 2023-02-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-08-24
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