State Dept. Awards $18.8M for IT Security Support, Highlighting Long-Term Contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,859,457 ($18.9M)
Contractor: Phacil, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2012-09-30
End Date: 2019-03-30
Contract Duration: 2,372 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: INFORMATIONAL SYSTEMS SECURITY OFFFICER SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $18.9 million to PHACIL, LLC for work described as: INFORMATIONAL SYSTEMS SECURITY OFFFICER SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $18.8M over 6.5 years. 2. Services fall under Computer Systems Design. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open after Exclusion of Sources'. 4. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. Small business participation is not indicated.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty. However, the extended duration and lack of specific performance metrics make a direct value assessment challenging without further data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' indicates a limited competition, potentially impacting price discovery and overall value. This method suggests specific reasons for excluding certain sources.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for IT security support services, with the effectiveness of the competition method influencing the final cost.
Public Impact
Ensures critical IT security infrastructure is maintained. Supports the operational readiness of the Department of State. Long-term nature of the contract provides stability for security operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders value assessment.
- Extended contract duration could outpace technological advancements.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
- Focus on essential IT security functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Benchmarks for similar long-term IT support contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a stated requirement or outcome for this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'Delivery Order' indicates this was likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, suggesting existing oversight mechanisms. However, the specific oversight for this order is not detailed.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Long contract duration
- Lack of performance metrics
- Potential for price escalation through modifications
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-state, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $18.9 million to PHACIL, LLC. INFORMATIONAL SYSTEMS SECURITY OFFFICER SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PHACIL, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-09-30. End: 2019-03-30.
What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' method, and how did it impact the final price?
The justification for excluding sources is crucial for understanding the competitive landscape. If the exclusion was based on highly specialized capabilities, it might explain a higher price. Conversely, if the exclusion was less justified, it could indicate a missed opportunity for better pricing through broader competition.
How effectively did the firm fixed price contract manage risks associated with evolving cybersecurity threats over its 6.5-year duration?
A firm fixed price contract offers budget certainty but can be less adaptable to rapidly changing technological landscapes, especially in cybersecurity. The agency likely relied on contract modifications or separate task orders to address new threats, which could introduce administrative overhead and potential cost increases beyond the initial FFP.
What key performance indicators (KPIs) were established to measure the effectiveness of the 'Informational Systems Security Officer Support Services' provided under this contract?
Without specific KPIs, it's difficult to objectively assess the effectiveness of the services. Ideally, metrics related to incident response times, vulnerability remediation rates, and system uptime would be tracked. The absence of such details makes it challenging to determine if the $18.8M investment yielded optimal security outcomes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: BY Light Professional IT Services LLC (UEI: 132027694)
Address: 800 N GLEBE RD STE 700, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,856,673
Exercised Options: $26,196,263
Current Obligation: $18,859,457
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS06F1227Z
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-09-30
Current End Date: 2019-03-30
Potential End Date: 2019-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-25
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