Forest Service awards $20.4M for comprehensive info security, highlighting IT infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,362,368 ($20.4M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2011-01-10

End Date: 2014-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,298 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONTRACT# AG-7604-TBD-CRIS, VENDOR: TBD, SCOPE COMPREHENSIVE ROBUST INFO SECURITY, POP: 02/01/2011 - 1/31/2012, CO: BRENDELL GALLEGOS, COR: ROD FLORENCE, (505) 563-7773

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $20.4 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: CONTRACT# AG-7604-TBD-CRIS, VENDOR: TBD, SCOPE COMPREHENSIVE ROBUST INFO SECURITY, POP: 02/01/2011 - 1/31/2012, CO: BRENDELL GALLEGOS, COR: ROD FLORENCE, (505) 563-7773 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical information security services, indicating a focus on protecting sensitive data. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests a clear understanding of project scope and cost control. 3. A full and open competition process was used, implying a broad market search for qualified vendors. 4. The contract duration of over three years suggests a long-term need for these security services. 5. The vendor is yet to be determined, indicating a potential for competitive bidding and price negotiation. 6. This award falls under computer systems design services, a key area for federal IT modernization.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $20.4 million over approximately three years for comprehensive robust information security services appears to be within a reasonable range for such critical IT infrastructure support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cybersecurity and IT systems design services is challenging without knowing the specific technical requirements and service levels. However, the firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the government has a defined scope, which can help in managing costs. The absence of a determined vendor at the time of data extraction might indicate that the final price could be influenced by the bidding process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors were solicited and allowed to bid. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. The data indicates six bids were received, which is a healthy number and suggests a reasonable level of competition for this requirement. This broad competition is intended to ensure the government receives optimal value.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring that the most capable and cost-effective solution is selected, preventing potential overspending associated with less competitive procurement methods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the agencies within the Forest Service that rely on secure and robust information systems. The services delivered will ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical data and IT infrastructure. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting the Forest Service's distributed operations. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized cybersecurity professionals, both within the government and the contracted vendor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Vendor not yet determined could lead to delays or a less-than-ideal fit if not managed carefully.
The broad scope of 'comprehensive robust info security' requires precise definition to avoid scope creep and ensure effective service delivery.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition increases the likelihood of selecting a high-quality vendor at a competitive price.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need, allowing for strategic planning and relationship building with the vendor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and integration services with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity. The federal IT market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in securing their networks and data against evolving threats. The Forest Service's need for comprehensive information security aligns with broader government initiatives to enhance cybersecurity posture across all departments. Comparable spending benchmarks for cybersecurity services can vary widely based on scope, but multi-year contracts in the tens of millions are common for large federal agencies requiring robust solutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the requirement was likely deemed too complex or specialized for small business capabilities, or that the competition was opened broadly to leverage the full market. Consequently, small businesses may not directly benefit from prime contract awards on this specific vehicle. However, the selected vendor might engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, depending on the contract's specific requirements and the vendor's subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) identified in the contract details. The Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations related to potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS-NG, which provide public access to contract details, including award amounts, vendors, and contract types. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also aids oversight by establishing clear cost expectations.

Related Government Programs

Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance
Cybersecurity Modernization Initiatives
IT Infrastructure Modernization Programs
Department of Agriculture IT Services

Risk Flags

Vendor Not Yet Determined
Potential for Scope Creep
Cybersecurity Threat Landscape Evolution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $20.4 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. CONTRACT# AG-7604-TBD-CRIS, VENDOR: TBD, SCOPE COMPREHENSIVE ROBUST INFO SECURITY, POP: 02/01/2011 - 1/31/2012, CO: BRENDELL GALLEGOS, COR: ROD FLORENCE, (505) 563-7773

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-01-10. End: 2014-07-31.

What specific cybersecurity threats or vulnerabilities is this contract intended to address for the Forest Service?

While the provided data specifies 'Comprehensive Robust Info Security,' it does not detail the specific threats or vulnerabilities. Typically, such contracts aim to address a wide range of cybersecurity risks, including external threats like malware, phishing, ransomware, and denial-of-service attacks, as well as internal threats such as unauthorized access or data breaches. It would likely cover network security, endpoint protection, data encryption, identity and access management, and incident response capabilities. A deeper dive into the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with contract AG-7604-TBD-CRIS would be necessary to identify the precise threat landscape the Forest Service is seeking to mitigate.

How does the $20.4 million award compare to historical Forest Service spending on information security?

Comparing the $20.4 million award to historical Forest Service spending on information security requires access to historical contract data. Without that specific data, it's difficult to provide a direct comparison. However, the award amount suggests a significant investment in cybersecurity infrastructure and services over its duration (approximately 3 years). Federal spending on IT and cybersecurity has generally been increasing across agencies due to heightened threat levels and modernization efforts. This award could represent a substantial portion of the Forest Service's annual cybersecurity budget or a major initiative to upgrade its security posture.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) expected under this contract?

The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs). These critical elements would be detailed within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Common KPIs for information security contracts include metrics related to system uptime, response times for security incidents, vulnerability remediation timelines, intrusion detection rates, and the successful prevention of security breaches. SLAs would define the minimum acceptable performance levels for these metrics, often with associated penalties or incentives for the vendor.

What is the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in providing similar information security services to federal agencies?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of providing IT and cybersecurity services to various federal agencies. They have experience in areas such as network security, cloud security, data protection, and IT modernization. While the specific contract AG-7604-TBD-CRIS indicates the vendor is 'TBD', if SAIC were to be awarded this contract, their past performance would be a key factor in the evaluation. Generally, SAIC has a strong reputation, but a detailed review of their performance on similar contracts, including any past issues or commendations, would be necessary for a complete assessment.

What is the potential risk associated with the vendor not being determined at the time of data extraction?

The primary risk associated with the vendor not being determined ('TBD') at the time the data was extracted is potential uncertainty regarding the final cost, specific technical capabilities, and the vendor's ability to meet the contract's requirements. This situation often arises early in the procurement process, either before the award decision or shortly after. Risks include potential delays in project initiation if the selection process is protracted, or the possibility that the chosen vendor might not be the most optimal fit if the competition was less robust than anticipated. However, it also signifies that the contract award is pending, allowing for competitive final offers.

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

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,678,786

Exercised Options: $20,362,368

Current Obligation: $20,362,368

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q09BGD0048

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline