DoD cybersecurity support contract awarded to Intelligent Waves LLC for over $24M, with 6 bidders
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,180,626 ($24.2M)
Contractor: Intelligent Waves LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-06-07
End Date: 2024-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,850 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: DODIN READINESS SECURITY INSPECTIONS CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.2 million to INTELLIGENT WAVES LLC for work described as: DODIN READINESS SECURITY INSPECTIONS CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of cybersecurity support for critical defense systems. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy. 3. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 5. The award was a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 6. Cybersecurity services are critical for maintaining the readiness and security of defense networks.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $24.18 million over its period of performance is within a reasonable range for specialized cybersecurity support services for a major federal agency like the Department of Defense. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cybersecurity and IT support reveals that this pricing is competitive, especially considering the critical nature of the services and the contractor's specialization. The firm-fixed-price structure further enhances value by shifting cost risk to the contractor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was open, certain sources were initially excluded, possibly due to specific requirements or prior performance. With 6 bidders, the competition level suggests a healthy interest in this type of specialized service. This level of competition is generally sufficient to promote price discovery and ensure a fair market price, though the exclusion of sources warrants further scrutiny.
Taxpayer Impact: The competition level, while not entirely unrestricted, likely ensured that taxpayers received a competitive price for essential cybersecurity services. The presence of multiple bidders helps prevent price gouging and encourages efficiency from the winning contractor.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced cybersecurity posture and readiness of its information systems. Services delivered include critical cybersecurity support, safeguarding sensitive defense data and operations. The primary geographic impact is within the Department of Defense's operational environments, likely global. Workforce implications include specialized cybersecurity professionals employed by Intelligent Waves LLC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type could potentially limit broader market engagement and innovation.
- The long duration of the contract might lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
- Reliance on a single delivery order for such a significant amount could concentrate risk.
- Specific performance metrics and their impact on contractor compensation are not detailed here.
Positive Signals
- The contract is firm-fixed-price, which is a positive indicator for cost control.
- The award was made under full and open competition (after exclusions), suggesting a structured procurement process.
- The contractor, Intelligent Waves LLC, is likely experienced in providing cybersecurity services.
- The contract addresses a critical need for cybersecurity within the Department of Defense.
Sector Analysis
The cybersecurity services market is a rapidly growing and critical sector within the broader IT services industry. Federal spending in this area has seen significant increases due to escalating cyber threats. This contract fits within the Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) mission to provide secure and reliable IT for the DoD. Comparable spending benchmarks for cybersecurity support contracts of this nature typically range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. The primary contractor is Intelligent Waves LLC. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Defense's contracting and program management offices, with potential involvement from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- DODIN Enterprise Services
- Cybersecurity Support Services
- IT Services for Defense Agencies
- Information Assurance Contracts
- Defense Information Technology Contracting
Risk Flags
- Competition limited by exclusion of sources
- Long contract duration may increase risk of obsolescence
- Delivery order structure concentrates award value
Tags
it-services, cybersecurity, department-of-defense, defense-information-systems-agency, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, intelligent-waves-llc, maryland, computer-systems-design-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.2 million to INTELLIGENT WAVES LLC. DODIN READINESS SECURITY INSPECTIONS CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INTELLIGENT WAVES LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-06-07. End: 2024-06-30.
What is the track record of Intelligent Waves LLC in performing similar cybersecurity contracts for the Department of Defense?
Intelligent Waves LLC has a history of securing and performing contracts related to IT and cybersecurity services for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. While specific details on past performance metrics for this exact type of cybersecurity support are not provided in the summary data, their ability to win a contract of this value and scope suggests a demonstrated capability. Further investigation into their contract history, including any past performance reviews or awards, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record in delivering complex cybersecurity solutions and meeting stringent government requirements.
How does the awarded amount of $24.18 million compare to similar cybersecurity support contracts within the DoD?
The awarded amount of approximately $24.18 million for cybersecurity support services over a period of roughly five years is considered moderate within the context of large federal IT and cybersecurity procurements. The Department of Defense often awards contracts in the hundreds of millions or even billions for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. This contract's value suggests a focused scope, possibly for specific systems or a defined set of services. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale cybersecurity support contracts indicates that this value is competitive and reflects the specialized nature of the services required for maintaining the readiness and security of defense networks.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
Key risks include potential scope creep, contractor performance issues, and evolving cyber threats. The firm-fixed-price contract type mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. Mitigation for performance issues relies on contract oversight, defined deliverables, and potential penalties. The long duration (over 5 years) introduces a risk of technological obsolescence or changing threat landscapes, which would require proactive contract management and potential modifications. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition could also be a risk if it inadvertently excluded highly capable vendors.
What is the expected effectiveness of the cybersecurity support provided under this contract for the DoD?
The expected effectiveness hinges on the contractor's ability to deliver the specified cybersecurity services, which likely include threat detection, vulnerability management, incident response, and security system maintenance. Given the contract's focus on 'DODIN READINESS SECURITY INSPECTIONS CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT,' the services are critical for ensuring the operational integrity and security of the Defense Department's networks. Successful execution should lead to a strengthened cybersecurity posture, reduced risk of breaches, and improved compliance with security mandates, thereby directly contributing to the overall readiness of defense systems.
What are the historical spending patterns for cybersecurity support services by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)?
DISA, as the procuring agency, consistently allocates significant funding towards cybersecurity and IT infrastructure support. Historical spending patterns show a continuous and often increasing investment in these areas due to the persistent and evolving nature of cyber threats against defense systems. DISA's budget typically includes substantial line items for network security, threat intelligence, and operational support services. While the specific amount for this contract is $24.18M, DISA's overall annual spending on cybersecurity can run into hundreds of millions or billions, reflecting the critical importance of maintaining a secure digital environment for national defense.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1801 ROBERT FULTON DR STE 440, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,180,626
Exercised Options: $24,180,626
Current Obligation: $24,180,626
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QTCH18D0030
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-06-07
Current End Date: 2024-06-30
Potential End Date: 2024-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-26
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