DFC awards $6.8M for CISO Security Operations Center Support Services to ADERAS INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,794,645 ($6.8M)

Contractor: Aderas Inc

Awarding Agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Start Date: 2024-04-22

End Date: 2027-04-21

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CISO SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (SOC) SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20527

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation obligated $6.8 million to ADERAS INC for work described as: CISO SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (SOC) SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $6.8 million over approximately three years suggests a moderate investment in critical cybersecurity infrastructure. 2. ADERAS INC. is the sole awardee, highlighting the importance of specialized capabilities in this niche. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price for services. 4. Performance is located in Washington D.C., indicating a focus on supporting the agency's headquarters. 5. The contract falls under Computer Facilities Management Services, a broad category encompassing IT infrastructure support. 6. The duration of 1094 days (approx. 3 years) provides a stable period for service delivery and performance evaluation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.8 million for three years of SOC support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of cybersecurity operations. Benchmarking against similar contracts for SOC services at federal agencies of similar size and scope would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps in cost predictability, but the overall value depends heavily on the quality and effectiveness of the services delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was intended to yield the best value. This approach typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider pool of potential solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a competitive environment, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received by the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which receives enhanced cybersecurity protection for its operations and data. The services delivered will bolster the DFC's ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, ensuring the continuity of its mission. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where the DFC's headquarters are located. The contract supports specialized cybersecurity roles, potentially creating or maintaining high-skilled jobs within the IT security sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if transition planning is inadequate at contract end.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical security operations requires robust performance monitoring.
The effectiveness of the SOC services is paramount and requires continuous evaluation to ensure threat mitigation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration allows for sustained support and relationship building with the contractor.

Sector Analysis

The cybersecurity services market is a rapidly growing sector within the broader IT services industry, driven by increasing cyber threats and regulatory requirements. Federal agencies, in particular, are significant spenders on cybersecurity solutions to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure. This contract for SOC support fits within the segment of managed security services, which includes threat detection, monitoring, and incident response. Comparable spending benchmarks for SOC services can vary widely based on the scope, complexity, and service level agreements, but agencies often allocate millions annually for such critical functions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is likely minimal. However, the prime contractor, ADERAS INC., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill certain aspects of the contract, depending on their subcontracting plans and the specific requirements of the SOC support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation's contracting officers and program managers. Performance will be monitored against the terms and conditions of the firm-fixed-price delivery order, including service level agreements and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms. While specific Inspector General jurisdiction is not detailed here, the DFC's Office of Inspector General would typically have oversight authority for agency contracts.

Related Government Programs

Cybersecurity Services
Information Technology Support
Security Operations Centers
Federal IT Contracts
Managed Security Services

Risk Flags

Performance Risk
Cost Control Risk
Vendor Lock-in Risk
Cyber Threat Evolution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation awarded $6.8 million to ADERAS INC. CISO SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (SOC) SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADERAS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (U.S. International Development Finance Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-22. End: 2027-04-21.

What is ADERAS INC.'s track record with federal cybersecurity contracts?

ADERAS INC. has a history of providing IT services to federal agencies. While specific details on their cybersecurity contract performance require deeper analysis of past performance evaluations and contract histories, their ability to win this full and open competition for critical SOC support suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. A review of past performance questionnaires (PPQs) and any CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) reports associated with their previous federal contracts would offer more granular insights into their reliability, technical capabilities, and customer satisfaction in delivering similar services.

How does the $6.8 million contract value compare to similar SOC support contracts?

The $6.8 million contract value over approximately three years for CISO Security Operations Center (SOC) support services is within a moderate range for federal agencies. However, a precise comparison is challenging without knowing the specific scope of services, service level agreements (SLAs), and the size/complexity of the DFC's network and threat landscape. Larger agencies with more extensive infrastructure and higher threat levels might award multi-million dollar contracts annually for SOC support. Smaller agencies or those with less complex needs might spend less. To benchmark effectively, one would compare this contract to others awarded for similar services to agencies of comparable size and mission complexity, considering factors like 24/7 monitoring, incident response capabilities, and threat intelligence integration.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the DFC?

Key risks include potential underperformance by ADERAS INC. in detecting or responding to cyber threats, which could lead to security breaches and data loss. Another risk is the potential for cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen complexities or scope creep, although this is mitigated by the contract type. Vendor lock-in is also a concern, making it difficult and costly to switch providers if performance is unsatisfactory. Furthermore, over-reliance on a single vendor for critical security operations necessitates robust oversight and contingency planning. Ensuring continuous access to highly skilled cybersecurity personnel by the contractor is also a potential risk.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for SOC services?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in managing costs for predictable services like SOC support because it establishes a set price for the defined scope of work. This shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage their resources efficiently. For the DFC, this means greater budget certainty. However, the effectiveness hinges on a well-defined Statement of Work (SOW) and clear performance metrics. If the SOW is ambiguous or if significant unforeseen requirements arise, the FFP structure might lead to disputes or a contractor's reluctance to perform beyond the explicitly defined scope, potentially impacting service quality. Regular performance monitoring is crucial to ensure value is received.

What is the historical spending pattern for SOC support services at the DFC or similar agencies?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for SOC support services at the DFC or similar agencies is crucial for context. Without specific DFC historical data, we can infer that agencies of its nature typically allocate significant and often increasing budgets towards cybersecurity due to the evolving threat landscape. Spending on SOC services can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the agency's size, mission criticality, and existing infrastructure. Trends often show an increase in spending over time as threats become more sophisticated and regulatory requirements tighten. Comparing this $6.8M award over three years to previous DFC expenditures or to peer agencies' budgets for similar functions would reveal if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable investment.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 77344424Q0062

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11911 FREEDOM DR STE 650, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,998,521

Exercised Options: $6,794,645

Current Obligation: $6,794,645

Actual Outlays: $2,757,058

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 77344423D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline