NIH awards $17.2M contract for authentication manager support, highlighting IT infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,192 ($17.2K)

Contractor: Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 362 days

Daily Burn Rate: $47/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NIH - CIT RSA AUTHENTICATION MANAGER MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17,191.51 to ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC. for work described as: NIH - CIT RSA AUTHENTICATION MANAGER MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential IT support for authentication management, crucial for data security. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration of 362 days indicates a need for ongoing, sustained support. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 5. The award to Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc. suggests a focus on specialized IT services. 6. This spending supports the operational integrity of NIH's research and administrative systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.2 million for approximately one year of support appears reasonable for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for authentication management systems is necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. With four bidders participating, the competition level suggests a healthy market for these services, which typically drives better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, maximizing the value of federal investment.

Public Impact

Researchers and staff at NIH benefit from secure and reliable access to critical systems. The contract ensures the continued operation of authentication management services, supporting daily administrative and research functions. Geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where NIH facilities are located. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be engaged in supporting federal cybersecurity infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if support is highly specialized and difficult to transition.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical authentication services could pose a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost escalation.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potentially better value.
Clear contract duration provides predictability for budgeting and resource allocation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer-related services and support. The market for authentication management solutions is robust, driven by increasing cybersecurity threats and the need for secure access to sensitive data. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar IT support services, particularly those related to identity and access management.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Given the specialized nature of authentication management, it's possible that larger, more established IT service providers were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics are not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

NIH IT Support Services
Federal Cybersecurity Contracts
Identity and Access Management Services
IT Infrastructure Maintenance

Risk Flags

Critical IT Infrastructure Support
Cybersecurity Component
Potential for Vendor Lock-in
Reliance on Specialized Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17,191.51 to ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC.. NIH - CIT RSA AUTHENTICATION MANAGER MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED COMPUTER CONCEPTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,191.51.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc. in providing similar authentication management services to federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Advanced Computer Concepts, Inc. has a history of securing contracts for IT services. To fully assess their track record for authentication management, a deeper dive into their past performance on similar contracts, including client feedback and any documented performance issues, would be necessary. This would involve examining contract close-out reports and performance evaluations, if publicly available, to gauge their reliability and expertise in this specific domain. Understanding their experience with the specific technologies or platforms used by NIH would also be crucial.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar authentication manager maintenance and support services?

The awarded value of $17.2 million for approximately one year of support for authentication manager maintenance and support services requires benchmarking against industry standards. Without specific details on the scope of services, number of users supported, and the complexity of the authentication system, a precise comparison is challenging. However, based on general IT service market rates, this figure appears to be within a plausible range for specialized, high-level support. A more accurate assessment would involve comparing the per-unit costs (e.g., per user, per server) or the overall contract value against similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies or commercial entities for comparable services.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential vendor performance issues, reliance on a single provider for critical infrastructure, and the possibility of scope creep leading to cost overruns, although the firm fixed-price structure mitigates the latter. Mitigation strategies likely include robust performance monitoring by NIH, clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs) within the contract, and contingency planning for service disruptions. The full and open competition also serves as a risk mitigation factor, as it implies a competitive market where vendors are incentivized to perform well to secure future business. Regular contract reviews and clear communication channels are essential.

How effective is the current authentication management system at NIH, and how does this contract contribute to its effectiveness?

The effectiveness of the current authentication management system at NIH is directly supported by this contract, which provides essential maintenance and support services. These services are crucial for ensuring the system's reliability, security, and availability, which are paramount for protecting sensitive research data and ensuring operational continuity. The contract's focus on maintenance and support implies that the system is operational and requires ongoing attention to function optimally. Its contribution to effectiveness lies in preventing downtime, patching vulnerabilities, and ensuring that authorized users can access necessary resources seamlessly, thereby underpinning NIH's research and administrative functions.

What are the historical spending patterns for authentication management support services at NIH or similar agencies?

Historical spending patterns for authentication management support services at NIH and similar agencies typically show a consistent need for these services due to the critical nature of identity and access management in federal IT infrastructure. Spending often fluctuates based on system upgrades, changes in security requirements, and the number of users or systems being supported. Analyzing past contracts for similar services would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of competition utilized. This contract's value of $17.2 million should be viewed in the context of these historical expenditures to identify any significant deviations or emerging trends in federal IT support spending.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 75N98026Q00146

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7927 JONES BRANCH DR STE 600N, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,192

Exercised Options: $17,192

Current Obligation: $17,192

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201500041W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline