DoD awards $29M for cybersecurity services to Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC, with limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,995,885 ($29.0M)

Contractor: Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-10-01

End Date: 2024-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,003 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: LABOR - CYBER SECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER (CSSP) SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.0 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: LABOR - CYBER SECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER (CSSP) SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $28.9 million over approximately 3 years represents a significant investment in cybersecurity. 2. Limited competition for this contract may indicate a specialized need or a lack of readily available providers. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and cost. 4. The contract is being performed in Virginia, a state with a strong presence of defense contractors and federal agencies. 5. The cybersecurity service provider (CSSP) designation highlights the critical nature of the services being procured. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests this contract was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of cybersecurity services. However, the total award of approximately $29 million over three years suggests a substantial, ongoing need. The firm-fixed-price structure implies a degree of cost certainty for the government. Without comparable contract data for similar cybersecurity services, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the market rates for such specialized services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' basis, indicating a sole-source procurement. This suggests that the Department of the Army identified a specific need that could only be met by Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC, or that the circumstances of the requirement precluded a broader competition. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through multiple bids, potentially leading to a higher cost than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, as the government did not have multiple offers to choose from. This could result in a higher overall expenditure for the cybersecurity services.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Army, is the primary beneficiary of these cybersecurity services. The contract aims to ensure the security and integrity of critical defense information systems and networks. Services are being performed in Virginia, potentially supporting the local economy and workforce in the region. The contract contributes to the overall defense posture and operational readiness of the U.S. military.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition, potentially increasing costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the 'not available for competition' justification requires further scrutiny.
Performance details are not publicly available, making it difficult to assess effectiveness.
Contract duration of over three years necessitates ongoing monitoring of performance and value.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established entity suggests potential for reliable service delivery.
Focus on cybersecurity is critical for national security and defense operations.

Sector Analysis

The cybersecurity services sector is a rapidly growing and critical component of the federal IT landscape. This contract falls under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code, indicating a broad range of specialized technical support. The federal government is a major consumer of cybersecurity solutions, with spending consistently increasing to combat evolving threats. This contract with Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC, represents a portion of the Department of Defense's significant investment in protecting its digital infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the requirement was either too specialized or too large in scope to be effectively competed among small businesses, or that the contracting agency did not prioritize a small business set-aside for this particular procurement. Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this award, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. As a firm-fixed-price contract, performance monitoring and adherence to the statement of work are key oversight areas. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award would be crucial for accountability. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed, the DoD IG generally has oversight over defense spending and contract performance, and could investigate if concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

DoD Cybersecurity Modernization Program
Army IT Services Contracts
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance
Cybersecurity Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award requires strong justification to ensure fair pricing and value.
Lack of competition may limit innovation and cost-saving opportunities.
Performance metrics and deliverables are not publicly detailed, hindering assessment of effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.0 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC. LABOR - CYBER SECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER (CSSP) SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2024-06-30.

What specific cybersecurity services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'LABOR - CYBER SECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER (CSSP) SERVICES' under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). However, the specific nature of these services is not detailed. Typically, CSSP services can encompass a wide range of activities including threat detection and analysis, vulnerability management, incident response, security monitoring, penetration testing, security architecture design, and policy development. Without a detailed Statement of Work (SOW) or contract line item numbers (CLINs), it is impossible to ascertain the precise scope of work performed by Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC.

What is the historical spending pattern for cybersecurity services by the Department of the Army?

The Department of the Army, as a major component of the Department of Defense, consistently allocates substantial resources to cybersecurity. Historical spending data reveals a significant and upward trend in cybersecurity investments across the federal government, driven by increasing cyber threats. While specific historical figures for this exact CSSP service category are not provided in the given data, the Army's overall IT and cybersecurity budgets have been in the billions of dollars annually. This $29 million award represents a portion of that larger, ongoing commitment to securing military networks and data.

What is the track record of Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC in providing cybersecurity services to the federal government?

Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC has a track record of performing various services for the federal government, including within the Department of Defense. While the provided data focuses on this specific contract, a broader search would reveal their past performance on other contracts. Assessing their specific expertise and success in delivering cybersecurity services would require examining past performance reviews, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes on previous engagements. Their ability to secure this sole-source contract suggests they possess capabilities deemed essential by the Department of the Army.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar cybersecurity service contracts?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $29 million contract to similar cybersecurity service contracts is difficult without more granular data on the specific services rendered and the labor categories involved. The contract is firm-fixed-price, which sets the total cost upfront. However, the 'not available for competition' status means there's no benchmark from competing bids. To assess value, one would need to compare the proposed rates for specific roles (e.g., cybersecurity analysts, engineers) against market data or other government contracts for comparable skill sets and experience levels, adjusted for geographic location and contract complexity.

What are the key risks associated with this sole-source cybersecurity contract?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without multiple offers, the government may not be achieving the best possible value. Another risk is the potential for vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider, making future transitions difficult or costly. Furthermore, the justification for 'not available for competition' needs to be robust; if the justification is weak, it could indicate a missed opportunity for competition and potentially less effective service delivery if the chosen vendor is not the most capable.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W912HZ21R0020

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT STE 900, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,115,044

Exercised Options: $29,088,176

Current Obligation: $28,995,885

Actual Outlays: $4,634,427

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline