VA's $49.3M Anti-Malware Contract with Xator LLC Awarded via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,348,253 ($49.3M)

Contractor: Xator LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2014-01-24

End Date: 2020-01-23

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ANTI-VIRUS HIPS ANTI-SPYWARE ANTI-MALWARE SOLUTION

Place of Performance

Location: ALBANY, ALBANY County, NEW YORK, 12201

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $49.3 million to XATOR LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ANTI-VIRUS HIPS ANTI-SPYWARE ANTI-MALWARE SOLUTION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a comprehensive anti-malware solution, indicating a critical need for cybersecurity at the VA. 2. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs, but requires careful monitoring of scope creep. 3. A duration of 2190 days (6 years) points to a long-term strategic investment in protecting VA systems. 4. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 5. The primary NAICS code (541511) indicates custom computer programming services, aligning with specialized cybersecurity needs. 6. The contract's value of approximately $49.3 million over six years warrants benchmarking against similar cybersecurity procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $49.3 million over six years averages to approximately $8.2 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar federal cybersecurity contracts for endpoint protection and threat detection is crucial. Without specific per-unit data or detailed service breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope remains well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of a competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The specific number of bidders is not provided, which would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation, ensuring the government receives the best possible value for its investment in cybersecurity.

Public Impact

Veterans and VA staff benefit from enhanced protection of sensitive personal and medical information. The contract delivers essential cybersecurity services to safeguard critical IT infrastructure within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Services are likely deployed across various VA facilities nationwide, ensuring a consistent level of security. The contract supports jobs in the cybersecurity and custom computer programming sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
The long duration of the contract could lead to vendor lock-in or missed opportunities for more advanced solutions if not managed proactively.
Potential for scope creep in firm fixed-price contracts if requirements are not meticulously managed.
Limited insight into the specific technologies or methodologies employed, hindering a deeper technical evaluation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market and potentially good pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract addresses a critical cybersecurity need for the VA, indicating proactive risk management.
Long contract duration suggests a strategic commitment to sustained cybersecurity posture.

Sector Analysis

The cybersecurity market is a rapidly evolving and critical sector for government operations. This contract falls within the broader IT services industry, specifically focusing on cybersecurity solutions like anti-virus, intrusion prevention, and anti-malware. The federal government is a significant purchaser of cybersecurity products and services, with spending often driven by evolving threat landscapes and regulatory requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale federal cybersecurity procurements for similar protective software and services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While this specific contract may not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside, Xator LLC, as the prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors. The extent of small business subcontracting would depend on Xator's business practices and the specific requirements of the contract, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. The contract's long duration and significant value necessitate robust oversight to ensure performance, manage scope, and control costs. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance reports or Inspector General involvement would depend on specific findings or audits related to contract execution.

Related Government Programs

Federal Cybersecurity Procurement
Endpoint Security Solutions
IT Services for Government Agencies
Department of Veterans Affairs IT Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services

Risk Flags

Potential for technological obsolescence over the 6-year contract term.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders effectiveness assessment.
Firm fixed-price contract requires diligent scope management to prevent cost overruns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $49.3 million to XATOR LLC. IGF::OT::IGF ANTI-VIRUS HIPS ANTI-SPYWARE ANTI-MALWARE SOLUTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is XATOR LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $49.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-01-24. End: 2020-01-23.

What is Xator LLC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies, particularly concerning cybersecurity contracts?

Xator LLC has a history of performing work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as evidenced by this contract. Further analysis would require examining other contracts awarded to Xator by the VA and other federal agencies to assess their performance history, past performance ratings, and any documented issues or successes. A review of contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would reveal the breadth and depth of their federal contracting experience, including contract values, types, and agencies served. Understanding their experience with similar cybersecurity solutions is key to evaluating their capability to deliver on this specific requirement.

How does the $49.3 million contract value compare to similar federal cybersecurity procurements for anti-malware solutions over a six-year period?

Benchmarking the $49.3 million contract value requires comparing it to similar federal procurements for comprehensive anti-malware, anti-virus, and anti-spyware solutions awarded over comparable timeframes (approximately six years). Factors such as the number of endpoints protected, the scope of services (e.g., managed services, threat intelligence feeds, incident response), and the specific technologies deployed significantly influence pricing. Without these granular details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, federal cybersecurity spending is substantial, and contracts of this magnitude are not uncommon for large agencies like the VA, especially given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. A detailed analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes and service descriptions from agencies like DoD, HHS, or DHS.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how is performance being measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, cybersecurity contracts of this nature would include metrics related to threat detection rates, incident response times, system uptime, and the effectiveness of malware prevention. The Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers are responsible for establishing and monitoring these metrics to ensure Xator LLC is meeting its obligations. The absence of this information in the summary data limits the ability to assess the contract's effectiveness and value for money beyond the initial award.

What is the specific scope of services included in this 'anti-virus, HIPS, anti-spyware, anti-malware solution' contract?

The contract description 'IGF::OT::IGF ANTI-VIRUS HIPS ANTI-SPYWARE ANTI-MALWARE SOLUTION' suggests a comprehensive endpoint security suite. This likely includes software licenses for anti-virus and anti-malware protection, Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) capabilities to detect and block unauthorized system activity, and anti-spyware functionalities. It may also encompass related services such as software updates, signature file management, threat intelligence integration, and potentially technical support or managed services. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which is not provided here, but the focus is clearly on protecting VA systems from a broad range of malicious software and cyber threats.

Given the contract's duration (6 years), what are the potential risks associated with technological obsolescence or evolving cyber threats?

A six-year contract duration for a cybersecurity solution presents inherent risks related to technological obsolescence and the rapidly evolving nature of cyber threats. The threat landscape changes daily, with new malware strains and attack vectors emerging constantly. Similarly, cybersecurity technologies advance quickly. There's a risk that the solution procured today might be less effective or outdated by year three or four. To mitigate this, the contract should ideally include provisions for regular technology refresh, access to updated threat intelligence, and flexibility to adapt to new requirements. The VA's contracting team must actively manage the contract, ensuring Xator LLC keeps the solution current and effective throughout its term, potentially through change orders or contract modifications.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1835 ALEXANDER BELL DR STE 210, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,223,294

Exercised Options: $49,348,253

Current Obligation: $49,348,253

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0628Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline