DoD awards $56M for Cisco GEMSS, with Iron Bow Technologies as prime, highlighting IT services for defense

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,030,436 ($56.0M)

Contractor: Iron BOW Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-07-06

End Date: 2026-06-20

Contract Duration: 1,445 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CISCO GEMSS

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $56.0 million to IRON BOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: CISCO GEMSS Key points: 1. Contract value of $56M over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in IT infrastructure. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 3. Fixed-price contract type generally shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The contract duration of approximately 4 years provides a stable period for service delivery. 5. The specific NAICS code (541519) points to a focus on specialized computer-related services. 6. The absence of small business set-aside suggests the primary contractor is not a small business, and no specific subcontracting goals were noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking this contract's value requires more detailed service descriptions and comparable IT service contracts within the DoD. However, a $56M award over four years for specialized IT services is within a typical range for large-scale defense IT procurements. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the pricing was determined upfront, and the government expects to receive defined services at the agreed-upon cost, implying a degree of value certainty if deliverables are met.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to vie for the contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a robust process aimed at achieving the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting price discovery and potentially leading to more competitive pricing compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits through the acquisition of critical IT services and solutions. This contract likely supports the operational readiness and technological advancement of defense information systems. The services delivered are expected to enhance network capabilities, cybersecurity, or other essential IT functions for military operations. The primary impact is on the defense sector's IT infrastructure and personnel reliant on these systems. Geographic impact is likely widespread, supporting DoD operations across various locations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services delivered.
The broad nature of 'Other Computer Related Services' could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single vendor (Iron Bow Technologies) for a significant IT requirement warrants close monitoring of performance and financial stability.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially protecting the government from cost overruns.
The multi-year duration provides stability for critical IT service delivery.
The contract is managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), an agency focused on robust IT support for the DoD.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector within the federal government is vast, encompassing a wide range of support, development, and maintenance activities. This contract falls under computer-related services, a critical component of defense modernization. Spending in this area is consistently high as agencies like the DoD require advanced technological solutions to maintain operational superiority and cybersecurity. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large IT service contracts awarded to prime contractors supporting defense agencies, often in the hundreds of millions or billions of dollars annually.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, Iron Bow Technologies, is likely a large business, or that the scope of work was not tailored for small business participation. Consequently, there may be limited direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless specified within the contract's performance requirements, which are not detailed here. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award appears minimal based on the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of the Department of Defense, specifically the contracting officers and program managers within the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DoD IT Modernization Programs
Defense Information Systems Network (DISN)
Cybersecurity Services Contracts
IT Infrastructure Support Services
Cisco Systems Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'Other Computer Related Services' are not clearly defined.
Contractor performance risk under firm fixed-price if costs are underestimated.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT services.
Lack of publicly available performance metrics hinders assessment of value and effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $56.0 million to IRON BOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. CISCO GEMSS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IRON BOW TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $56.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-06. End: 2026-06-20.

What specific Cisco GEMSS capabilities are being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact capabilities of the 'CISCO GEMSS' being procured. GEMSS typically refers to Cisco's Government, Enterprise, and Military Solutions Suite, which can encompass a broad range of networking, collaboration, security, and data center technologies. Without further details on the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), it's impossible to determine if this contract focuses on hardware, software, managed services, integration, or a combination thereof. Understanding the specific components of GEMSS is crucial for assessing its alignment with DoD's strategic IT objectives and for benchmarking its value.

How does the $56 million contract value compare to similar IT service contracts awarded by DISA or the DoD?

A $56 million contract value over approximately four years is a substantial award, indicative of significant IT support requirements. However, without knowing the specific services rendered (e.g., network maintenance, cybersecurity solutions, cloud services, hardware provisioning), direct comparison is challenging. DISA and the DoD award numerous IT contracts ranging from a few million to billions of dollars. This particular award appears to be a mid-to-large-sized contract for specialized IT services. Benchmarking would require comparing it against contracts with similar NAICS codes (541519), contract types (firm fixed-price), and service scopes within the defense sector.

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

The provided summary data does not include details on the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These are critical components that define the expected performance standards, delivery timelines, and quality metrics for the services provided by Iron Bow Technologies. Typically, such contracts would outline metrics related to system uptime, response times for support, security compliance, and successful implementation of services. The absence of this information in the summary prevents a thorough assessment of performance risk and contractor accountability.

What is Iron Bow Technologies' track record with similar large-scale DoD IT contracts?

Iron Bow Technologies has a significant history of contracting with the U.S. federal government, particularly the Department of Defense. They have been awarded numerous contracts for IT solutions, including networking, cybersecurity, and unified communications. While this specific $56 million award for Cisco GEMSS is a notable contract, Iron Bow has experience managing large, complex IT procurements. A deeper analysis would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations, contract history with DISA and other DoD agencies, and their success in delivering similar technology solutions to assess their capability and reliability for this requirement.

What is the potential risk associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for this scope of work?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type generally places the majority of the performance risk on the contractor, Iron Bow Technologies. This means the contractor is obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of unforeseen cost increases. For the government, this mitigates the risk of cost overruns. However, for the contractor, risks can include underestimating costs, scope creep if not managed tightly, or challenges in delivering complex IT solutions within budget. If the scope is not well-defined or if technical challenges arise, the contractor might face financial losses, potentially impacting service delivery quality or long-term viability, although FFP is generally favored for its cost certainty.

How does this contract align with the DoD's broader IT modernization and digital transformation goals?

The alignment of this contract with DoD's IT modernization goals depends heavily on the specific 'CISCO GEMSS' capabilities being procured. If GEMSS involves advanced networking, cloud integration, enhanced cybersecurity, or data analytics platforms, it likely supports the DoD's objectives for a more connected, secure, and data-driven force. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is a key player in executing these modernization efforts. However, without a detailed SOW, it's difficult to ascertain the precise contribution. Contracts supporting legacy systems might represent less modernization, while those enabling new capabilities would align more directly with transformation initiatives.

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 - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HC108422R0007

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2121 COOPERATIVE WAY STE 500, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $70,038,045

Exercised Options: $56,030,436

Current Obligation: $56,030,436

Actual Outlays: $4,669,203

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC108422D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline