Department of Education awards $63M for Cybersecurity Support to SkyePoint Decisions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $63,160,506 ($63.2M)
Contractor: Skyepoint Decisions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2021-08-17
End Date: 2026-05-05
Contract Duration: 1,722 days
Daily Burn Rate: $36.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CALL ORDER IS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOED) FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FSA) WITH CYBERSECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE SUPPORT TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE DOED ENTERPRISE CYBERSECURITY GROUP (ESG).
Place of Performance
Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $63.2 million to SKYEPOINT DECISIONS, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CALL ORDER IS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOED) FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FSA) WITH CYBERSECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE SUPPORT TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE DOED ENTERPRISE CYBERSECURITY GROUP (ESG). Key points: 1. Cybersecurity risk management and compliance support for Federal Student Aid (FSA) operations. 2. Contract awarded to SkyePoint Decisions, Inc. under a BPA Call. 3. Significant investment in safeguarding sensitive student data and federal systems. 4. Focus on enhancing the Department of Education's Enterprise Cybersecurity Group (ESG) capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $63.2 million over approximately 4.7 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized cybersecurity services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for comprehensive risk management and compliance support would be necessary for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing for the services rendered.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by leveraging market competition.
Public Impact
Ensures the security of federal student aid data, protecting millions of students. Strengthens the cybersecurity posture of a critical federal agency. Supports the operational integrity of the Department of Education's IT infrastructure. Contributes to national cybersecurity efforts by securing sensitive government systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in cybersecurity needs.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical cybersecurity functions.
- Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving cyber threats.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Clear statement of work for cybersecurity risk management.
- Long-term contract provides stability for support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity. Government spending in this area has been steadily increasing due to the growing threat landscape and the digitization of federal services.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to SkyePoint Decisions, Inc. and there is no indication of small business participation in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Education. Oversight will involve monitoring performance against the Statement of Work, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards, and managing contract modifications to ensure continued effectiveness and value.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Dependence on contractor expertise.
- Ensuring data privacy and integrity.
- Need for continuous monitoring and adaptation.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-education, va, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $63.2 million to SKYEPOINT DECISIONS, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CALL ORDER IS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOED) FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FSA) WITH CYBERSECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE SUPPORT TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE DOED ENTERPRISE CYBERSECURITY GROUP (ESG).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SKYEPOINT DECISIONS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $63.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-08-17. End: 2026-05-05.
What specific cybersecurity frameworks and standards will SkyePoint Decisions adhere to in providing risk management and compliance support?
The contract likely mandates adherence to established federal cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines, including the Cybersecurity Framework and relevant special publications (e.g., SP 800-53 for security controls). Compliance with FISMA (Federal Information Security Modernization Act) requirements will also be paramount, ensuring the Department of Education meets its legal obligations for information security.
How will the effectiveness of the cybersecurity risk management and compliance support be measured and evaluated throughout the contract period?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to risk reduction metrics, compliance audit findings, incident response times, and the successful implementation of security controls. Regular reporting, performance reviews, and independent assessments will be crucial for ongoing evaluation and ensuring the contractor meets defined objectives.
What is the potential impact on the Department of Education's cybersecurity posture if SkyePoint Decisions experiences significant operational disruptions or data breaches?
Significant operational disruptions or data breaches by the contractor could severely compromise the Department of Education's cybersecurity posture, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive student data, disruption of critical services, and reputational damage. Robust security clauses, contingency plans, and clear liability terms in the contract are essential to mitigate these risks.
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 › IT AND TELECOM - SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 45240 BUSINESS CT STE 160, DULLES, VA, 20166
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $74,893,435
Exercised Options: $63,160,506
Current Obligation: $63,160,506
Actual Outlays: $57,942,765
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 42
Total Subaward Amount: $7,605,168
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 91003121A0017
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-08-17
Current End Date: 2026-05-05
Potential End Date: 2026-12-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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