DoD's Unified Cyber Situational Awareness contract awarded $113M to ASRC for IT services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $113,277,557 ($113.3M)

Contractor: Asrc Research and Technology Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-04-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,643 days

Daily Burn Rate: $68.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: UNIFIED CYBER SITUATIONAL AWARENESS (UCSA)

Place of Performance

Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $113.3 million to ASRC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: UNIFIED CYBER SITUATIONAL AWARENESS (UCSA) Key points: 1. The contract value of $113.3 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in cyber defense capabilities. 2. Competition was conducted under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating a broad initial search but a specific reason for excluding some. 3. The contract's duration of over four years (1643 days) implies a need for sustained support and development in cyber situational awareness. 4. The primary service category is 'Other Computer Related Services,' aligning with the need for advanced IT solutions in cybersecurity. 5. The award to ASRC Research and Technology Solutions LLC represents a substantial commitment to a single contractor for this critical function. 6. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the total value indicates a complex and potentially evolving scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $113.3 million for Unified Cyber Situational Awareness (UCSA) over approximately four years appears to be within a reasonable range for advanced IT services supporting critical defense functions. Benchmarking against similar large-scale cybersecurity and IT support contracts within the Department of Defense (DoD) would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to manage costs effectively, although the total obligation can fluctuate based on delivery orders.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the initial solicitation was broad, certain sources were excluded prior to the final award decision. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a potentially narrowed field of competition at the final stage. This procurement method can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing if the exclusion criteria are not well-justified or if it significantly limits the pool of capable offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'exclusion of sources' aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition and potentially increase costs for taxpayers. A thorough justification for the exclusion is crucial for transparency and cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, specifically the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), which will receive enhanced cyber situational awareness capabilities. The services delivered are expected to improve the military's ability to monitor, detect, and respond to cyber threats across its networks. This contract supports national security by bolstering the cyber defenses of critical military infrastructure and operations. The contract's focus on cyber awareness has implications for the cybersecurity workforce, potentially requiring specialized skills and personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to the long-term nature and specialized focus of the contract.
The 'exclusion of sources' could indicate a lack of robust competition, potentially impacting cost efficiency.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical cyber situational awareness may pose risks if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

The contract is firm fixed-price, which helps in cost control and predictability.
Awarded by DISA, a key agency for defense IT, suggesting alignment with strategic cyber defense goals.
The duration indicates a sustained commitment to improving cyber capabilities, suggesting a well-defined need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity and data analysis for situational awareness. The market for cybersecurity solutions is rapidly growing, driven by increasing cyber threats to government and commercial entities. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale IT support and cybersecurity services within the federal government often run into hundreds of millions of dollars over several years, reflecting the complexity and criticality of these functions. This contract's value is consistent with significant investments in maintaining a secure digital environment for defense operations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation is not a primary focus for this contract, as the 'small business' flag is false. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the prime contractor, ASRC Research and Technology Solutions LLC, is likely a large business, and the contract's scope may not lend itself to significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in specialized cybersecurity areas. Further review of the contract details would be needed to confirm subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, which ties payment to deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Unified Capabilities (UC)
Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSSP)
Defense-wide Information Assurance Program (DIAP)
Joint Information Environment (JIE)

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Long contract duration may increase risk of vendor lock-in.
Scope definition critical for FFP effectiveness in complex IT.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $113.3 million to ASRC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS LLC. UNIFIED CYBER SITUATIONAL AWARENESS (UCSA)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASRC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS 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 $113.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of ASRC Research and Technology Solutions LLC with similar large-scale DoD IT contracts?

ASRC Research and Technology Solutions LLC has a history of performing IT and technical services for various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their experience often includes areas like enterprise IT, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics. For large-scale DoD contracts, their performance would be evaluated based on factors such as on-time delivery, adherence to technical specifications, cost control, and overall customer satisfaction. Specific details on past performance for contracts of similar size and scope to the UCSA award would be available through contract performance reports and agency penilaian systems. A review of their contract history would reveal their ability to manage complex projects, meet stringent security requirements, and deliver reliable solutions within the defense sector.

How does the $113.3 million contract value compare to other cybersecurity situational awareness contracts within the DoD?

The $113.3 million awarded to ASRC Research and Technology Solutions LLC for Unified Cyber Situational Awareness (UCSA) represents a substantial investment, but its comparability to other DoD cybersecurity contracts depends on the specific scope and duration. Large-scale cybersecurity initiatives within the DoD, especially those involving enterprise-wide situational awareness, network defense, and threat intelligence, can easily reach or exceed this figure over multi-year periods. Contracts for similar services, such as developing and maintaining command and control systems, intelligence fusion platforms, or advanced persistent threat detection, often have total values in the hundreds of millions. The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' aspect also influences comparability, as it suggests a potentially specialized requirement. Benchmarking would require detailed analysis of contract statements of work, performance periods, and the specific technologies or services procured.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source or limited-competition award for critical cyber defense capabilities?

While this contract was not a sole-source award, the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' implies a potentially limited competitive field at the final stage. The primary risks associated with limited competition for critical cyber defense capabilities include reduced price competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. There's also a risk of less innovation if a broader range of vendors with diverse approaches are not considered. Furthermore, over-reliance on a limited number of contractors can create vendor lock-in and reduce flexibility in adapting to evolving threats or technological advancements. Ensuring robust justification for any source exclusion is paramount to mitigate these risks and confirm that the chosen contractor offers the best value and capability.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in managing costs for complex IT services like cyber situational awareness?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for managing costs in complex IT services, including cyber situational awareness, because it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. Under an FFP agreement, the contractor is obligated to perform the work for a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs. This incentivizes the contractor to be efficient and manage their resources effectively. For UCSA, this means ASRC Research and Technology Solutions LLC is responsible for delivering the specified capabilities within the $113.3 million budget. However, the effectiveness can be influenced by the clarity and completeness of the contract's scope of work. If the requirements are poorly defined or subject to significant change, it can lead to costly modifications or disputes, potentially undermining the cost-control benefits of the FFP structure.

What are the historical spending patterns for cyber situational awareness within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending patterns for cyber situational awareness within the Department of Defense have shown a consistent and increasing trend over the past decade. As cyber threats have evolved in sophistication and frequency, the DoD has significantly ramped up investments in technologies and services aimed at providing comprehensive visibility into the cyber domain. This includes funding for network monitoring tools, threat intelligence platforms, data analytics capabilities, and integrated command and control systems. Spending is often distributed across various agencies, with DISA playing a central role in managing large portions of these investments. The total annual spending on cybersecurity and related IT services for the DoD typically runs into the tens of billions of dollars, reflecting the critical nature of maintaining cyber superiority and security for national defense.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HC102815R0030

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation

Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $196,292,013

Exercised Options: $113,584,445

Current Obligation: $113,277,557

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 77

Total Subaward Amount: $99,283,588

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC102818D0023

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline