DoD awards $28.6M for Trellix ESS Software, highlighting cybersecurity needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,614,025 ($28.6M)
Contractor: Carahsoft Technology Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-12-16
End Date: 2025-12-15
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $78.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: TRELLIX ESS SOFTWARE
Place of Performance
Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $28.6 million to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP for work described as: TRELLIX ESS SOFTWARE Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through firm-fixed-price contract and competitive award. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust market for endpoint security solutions. 3. Risk indicators are low due to established software and fixed-price terms. 4. Performance context is critical for maintaining DoD's cybersecurity posture. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader defense IT landscape.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against similar cybersecurity software procurements suggests the pricing is competitive, especially given the scale and criticality of the software. The award to Carahsoft Technology Corp, a known reseller, implies a competitive process among software providers and distributors.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation implies a broad solicitation.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.
Public Impact
Benefits the Department of Defense by enhancing endpoint security. Delivers essential cybersecurity software to protect critical information systems. Geographic impact is nationwide, supporting DoD installations globally. Workforce implications include enabling secure operations for military and civilian personnel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed through future competitive actions.
- Reliance on a single software solution requires robust patch management and update processes.
Positive Signals
- Provides a critical cybersecurity capability to a major federal agency.
- Firm-fixed-price contract offers budget predictability.
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market responsiveness.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the cybersecurity software market, a critical segment of the IT sector supporting national defense. The market is characterized by rapid innovation and evolving threats, necessitating continuous investment in advanced solutions like endpoint security. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area are substantial, reflecting the high priority placed on cybersecurity by government agencies.
Small Business Impact
While Carahsoft Technology Corp is the prime contractor, information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not detailed in the provided data. As a large reseller, Carahsoft may engage small businesses for support services or distribution, but the primary focus of this award appears to be on the software itself rather than direct small business set-aside goals.
Oversight & Accountability
The firm-fixed-price contract structure provides a degree of oversight through defined deliverables and payment terms. Accountability is managed through contract performance monitoring by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- DoD Cybersecurity Modernization Program
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions
- Information Assurance Services
- Network Security Software
Risk Flags
- Cybersecurity Software Dependency
- Potential for Unforeseen Integration Issues
- Need for Continuous Monitoring and Updates
Tags
it-software, cybersecurity, endpoint-security, department-of-defense, defense-information-systems-agency, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, enterprise-software, national-security
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $28.6 million to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP. TRELLIX ESS SOFTWARE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $28.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-12-16. End: 2025-12-15.
What is the specific Trellix ESS software being procured and its key functionalities?
The Trellix Endpoint Security (ESS) Software is a suite of tools designed to protect endpoints (like laptops, desktops, and servers) from a wide range of cyber threats. Key functionalities typically include advanced threat prevention (anti-malware, intrusion prevention), endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities for identifying and investigating threats, vulnerability management, and data loss prevention (DLP). For the Department of Defense, these capabilities are crucial for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining operational continuity against sophisticated adversaries.
How does the $28.6 million award compare to previous spending on similar endpoint security solutions by the DoD?
Without specific historical data for this exact software suite or direct comparisons from the DoD's prior contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, $28.6 million for a two-year period (based on the 364-day duration) for enterprise-wide endpoint security software for a major agency like the DoD is within a reasonable range. Cybersecurity spending, particularly for advanced endpoint solutions, has been steadily increasing across government due to escalating threats. This figure suggests a significant investment in maintaining a robust defense posture.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they mitigated?
Primary risks include potential software vulnerabilities, integration challenges with existing DoD systems, and the possibility of cost overruns if the scope expands beyond the initial fixed-price agreement (though less likely with FFP). Mitigation strategies involve rigorous testing and validation by DISA before full deployment, adherence to strict cybersecurity protocols during implementation, and the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract which caps the government's liability. Ongoing monitoring and prompt application of security patches by Trellix and DISA are also critical.
What is the expected impact of this software on the DoD's overall cybersecurity posture?
The Trellix ESS software is expected to significantly enhance the DoD's overall cybersecurity posture by providing advanced threat detection and response capabilities across its vast network of endpoints. This includes better protection against malware, ransomware, and zero-day exploits. By centralizing endpoint security management and providing real-time threat intelligence, it allows for quicker incident response, reduces the attack surface, and helps maintain compliance with federal cybersecurity mandates, thereby strengthening the defense of critical military information and infrastructure.
What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation imply about the contractor selection process?
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation signifies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources, and any responsible source was permitted to submit a bid. This implies that the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) did not impose any restrictive barriers to entry, such as requiring specific proprietary technologies or limiting the pool of potential bidders. This process is designed to maximize competition, encourage innovation, and ensure the government obtains the best possible value by considering a wide range of solutions and pricing.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: HC108425R0001
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11493 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: $28,614,025
Exercised Options: $28,614,025
Current Obligation: $28,614,025
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC03B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-12-16
Current End Date: 2025-12-15
Potential End Date: 2025-12-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-12
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