DHS awards $11.6M IT security support contract to McDonald Bradley, Inc. via competitive delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,568,233 ($11.6M)

Contractor: Mantech Advanced Systems International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-09-21

End Date: 2012-06-01

Contract Duration: 1,715 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: DIVISION: CIO PERFORMER: MCDONALD BRADLEY, INC. DESCRIPTION: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUISTION IS TO PROVIDE DIRECTORATE-WIDE SUPPORT AND SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: IT SECURITY COMPLIANCE, IT SECURITY ARCHITECTURE, INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO), & IT SECURITY INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V). SEE SOW FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. THIS IS AN EAGLE PROCUREMENT

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $11.6 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: DIVISION: CIO PERFORMER: MCDONALD BRADLEY, INC. DESCRIPTION: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUISTION IS TO PROVIDE DIRECTORATE-WIDE SUPPORT AND SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: IT SECURITY COMPLIANCE, IT SECURITY ARCHITECTURE, INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO), & IT SECURI… Key points: 1. Contract provides essential IT security compliance, architecture, ISSO, and IV&V services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest potential for favorable pricing and robust service delivery. 3. Risk indicators appear low given the competitive nature and established contractor. 4. Performance context is within IT security, a critical function for DHS. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically computer systems design. 6. The contract duration of 1715 days indicates a significant, long-term need for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.6 million over approximately 4.7 years appears reasonable for comprehensive IT security support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT security compliance, architecture, and ISSO services would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the competitive nature of the award suggests that pricing was likely vetted against market rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order under an Eagle procurement, indicating a full and open competition. The presence of 4 bidders (as indicated by 'no': 4) suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs and encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) benefits directly through enhanced IT security posture. Services delivered include IT security compliance, architecture, Information System Security Officer (ISSO) functions, and Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V). The geographic impact is primarily within DHS operations, likely supporting various directorates. Workforce implications include the need for skilled IT security professionals, both within the contractor's team and potentially within DHS to manage the services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services become highly specialized and integrated.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT security functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process mitigates risk by selecting from multiple qualified vendors.
The contract specifies clear deliverables and services, providing a framework for performance monitoring.
IT security is a core competency, suggesting the contractor is well-positioned to deliver.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The market for IT security services is substantial and growing, driven by increasing cyber threats and regulatory requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT security support contracts within federal agencies can vary widely based on scope and duration, but this $11.6 million award over nearly five years represents a significant investment in maintaining a secure IT environment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses ('sb': false, 'ss': false). As a competitive delivery order, it likely involved larger prime contractors. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data snippet, but large federal IT contracts often include subcontracting goals to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within DHS. The 'Eagle procurement' designation suggests it falls under a specific DHS contracting vehicle with its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, and the Inspector General's office for DHS would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

DHS IT Security Services
Cybersecurity Support Contracts
Information Assurance Services
Federal IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (1715 days), requiring sustained performance monitoring.
Reliance on IT security services highlights critical infrastructure protection needs.
Potential for scope creep if requirements are not tightly managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $11.6 million to MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. DIVISION: CIO PERFORMER: MCDONALD BRADLEY, INC. DESCRIPTION: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUISTION IS TO PROVIDE DIRECTORATE-WIDE SUPPORT AND SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: IT SECURITY COMPLIANCE, IT SECURITY ARCHITECTURE, INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO), & IT SECURITY INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V). SEE SOW FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. THIS IS AN EAGLE PROCUREMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANTECH ADVANCED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-21. End: 2012-06-01.

What is the track record of McDonald Bradley, Inc. with federal IT security contracts?

McDonald Bradley, Inc. has a history of performing federal IT services. While this specific data does not detail their entire contract history, their selection for this competitive DHS contract suggests they met the qualifications and demonstrated capability. Further analysis would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations, other federal awards in the IT security domain, and any reported issues or successes on previous engagements. Understanding their experience with similar scope and scale contracts is crucial for assessing their reliability and expertise in delivering the required IT security compliance, architecture, ISSO, and IV&V services.

How does the $11.6 million value compare to similar IT security support contracts?

The $11.6 million value for approximately 4.7 years of comprehensive IT security support (compliance, architecture, ISSO, IV&V) is within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against contracts with identical scopes, service levels, and geographic locations. Factors like the specific security requirements, the number of systems supported, and the level of expertise required can significantly influence pricing. Given this was a competitive award with 4 bidders, it implies the pricing was likely vetted against market expectations and competitor offerings, suggesting it represents fair market value for the services rendered.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks include potential underperformance by the contractor, cybersecurity breaches due to inadequate security measures, and contractor personnel turnover impacting service continuity. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract's competitive nature, which incentivizes good performance. The contract's defined scope of work (SOW) provides clear expectations, and DHS program managers will monitor performance against these requirements. Furthermore, the inclusion of specific roles like ISSO and IV&V suggests built-in checks and balances. The government also retains rights to address performance deficiencies, potentially including termination for default.

How effective is the 'Eagle procurement' vehicle for delivering IT security services?

The 'Eagle procurement' is a DHS-specific Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle designed to provide comprehensive IT support services, including cybersecurity. Its effectiveness lies in streamlining the acquisition process for DHS components, allowing for quicker task order awards compared to open market procurements. By pre-vetting contractors and establishing terms and conditions, it aims to ensure quality and compliance. For IT security services, its structured approach helps ensure that awarded contracts meet DHS's stringent requirements, fostering competition among pre-qualified vendors and potentially leading to better value and service delivery.

What is the historical spending trend for similar IT security services at DHS?

Historical spending on IT security services at DHS has generally trended upwards due to the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the expansion of digital infrastructure. DHS consistently invests significant resources in cybersecurity to protect national security interests and critical infrastructure. While specific historical data for this exact service category isn't provided, the overall budget allocation for IT and cybersecurity within DHS has seen substantial growth over the years. This contract represents a portion of that ongoing investment, reflecting the persistent need for robust IT security.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation (UEI: 053518312)

Address: 12015 LEE JACKSON MEMORIAL HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,568,233

Exercised Options: $11,568,233

Current Obligation: $11,568,233

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC06D00039

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline