DoD's $16M DSO Platform Follow-On Contract Awarded to RAFT LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,007,862 ($16.0M)
Contractor: Raft LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-09-27
End Date: 2025-11-14
Contract Duration: 1,144 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.0K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: DEVELOPMENT SECURITY OPERATIONS PLATFORM FOLLOW-ON
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.0 million to RAFT LLC for work described as: DEVELOPMENT SECURITY OPERATIONS PLATFORM FOLLOW-ON Key points: 1. The contract is for Development Security Operations Platform Follow-On services. 2. RAFT LLC, a non-small business, received the award. 3. The contract was competed under Special Access Program (SAP) procedures. 4. The total value is $16,007,862.17 with an estimated completion date in November 2025. 5. The NAICS code 541511 indicates Custom Computer Programming Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's pricing is based on a firm-fixed-price delivery order. Without specific cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar DSO platform development, a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the total award amount appears reasonable for a multi-year custom software development project.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under Special Access Program (SAP) procedures, which inherently limits competition. While the specific reasons for SAP are not detailed, such procedures can impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The limited competition under SAP may result in a less competitive price than if it were fully open, potentially increasing the cost to taxpayers.
Public Impact
This contract supports the Air Force's Development Security Operations Platform, crucial for software development lifecycle security. The project's success impacts the efficiency and security of Air Force software development. The use of SAP procedures means less public visibility into the contract's details and justification. The duration of the contract extends into late 2025, indicating a significant ongoing investment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP procedures
- Non-small business awardee
- Lack of detailed cost transparency
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract type
- Supports critical security operations platform
- Clear period of performance
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and software development sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale, security-focused software development platforms under SAP are difficult to ascertain due to the program's nature, but the $16M value suggests a significant project.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, RAFT LLC, is not identified as a small business. This contract does not appear to have specific set-asides or provisions for small business participation, which is common for contracts competed under SAP.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is managed by the Department of the Air Force. The use of SAP may limit external oversight and transparency, placing a greater emphasis on internal DoD accountability mechanisms to ensure proper use of funds and contract performance.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for higher costs due to limited competition
- Lack of public transparency regarding SAP justification
- Reliance on a single, non-small business contractor
- Need for strong internal oversight due to SAP limitations
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.0 million to RAFT LLC. DEVELOPMENT SECURITY OPERATIONS PLATFORM FOLLOW-ON
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAFT LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-27. End: 2025-11-14.
What specific security benefits does the DSO Platform provide to justify the investment and limited competition?
The Development Security Operations (DSO) Platform is designed to integrate security practices throughout the software development lifecycle, automating security checks and reducing vulnerabilities early on. This proactive approach aims to enhance the overall security posture of Air Force software systems, potentially saving costs associated with late-stage security breaches or remediation. The investment is justified by the critical need for secure and resilient software in defense operations.
How does the limited competition under SAP impact the government's ability to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
Limited competition, especially under SAP, inherently restricts the number of potential bidders, which can reduce price pressure. While the government aims for fair and reasonable pricing through negotiation and cost analysis, the absence of broader market competition makes it more challenging to benchmark against alternative offers. This necessitates robust internal cost evaluation and justification processes by the contracting agency to mitigate potential overpricing.
What are the long-term implications for software development security if this DSO platform is not effectively implemented or maintained?
Ineffective implementation or maintenance of the DSO Platform could lead to significant security risks, including increased susceptibility to cyberattacks, data breaches, and compromised software integrity. This could result in mission degradation, loss of sensitive information, and substantial financial costs for remediation and recovery. It would also undermine the Air Force's efforts to modernize and secure its software development pipelines.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: FA830722R0109
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11800 SUNRISE VALLEY DR STE 400, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,491,201
Exercised Options: $17,491,201
Current Obligation: $16,007,862
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA830721G0020
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-27
Current End Date: 2025-11-14
Potential End Date: 2025-11-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-09
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