DoD's $19.4M Cybersecurity Contract Awarded to Bowhead Mission Solutions for HPCMP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,385,478 ($19.4M)

Contractor: Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING MODERNIZATION PROGRAM (HPCMP) CYBERSECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER (CSSP) SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: VICKSBURG, WARREN County, MISSISSIPPI, 39180

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.4 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING MODERNIZATION PROGRAM (HPCMP) CYBERSECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER (CSSP) SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical cybersecurity support for High Performance Computing Modernization Program. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Firm-fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. Duration of 729 days provides a medium-term commitment for essential services. 5. Cybersecurity services are vital for protecting sensitive defense computing infrastructure. 6. Contractor has a track record in providing mission-critical support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $19.4 million over approximately two years appears reasonable for specialized cybersecurity support to a large-scale program like HPCMP. Benchmarking against similar cybersecurity service contracts for federal IT infrastructure is necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes a precise value-for-money assessment challenging without further data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which implies that while the initial solicitation might have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. Seven bidders participated, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized service. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured that the selected contractor, Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC, offered a strong value proposition. Multiple bids help prevent price gouging and encourage efficiency.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP). Services delivered include essential cybersecurity support to protect advanced computing resources. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting distributed HPCMP facilities. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for cybersecurity professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if cybersecurity threats evolve rapidly, requiring contract modifications.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical cybersecurity functions necessitates robust oversight.
Ensuring continuous knowledge transfer and avoiding vendor lock-in are ongoing concerns.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Competitive bidding process suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.
Contractor's experience in similar support roles is a positive indicator.
Focus on cybersecurity is aligned with current national defense priorities.

Sector Analysis

The cybersecurity services market is a rapidly growing sector within the broader IT services industry, driven by increasing digital threats and the need to protect sensitive data and infrastructure. Federal spending on cybersecurity has been substantial, with agencies like the Department of Defense being major clients. This contract fits within the segment of specialized IT support services focused on network defense and threat mitigation for high-value computing assets.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC is the prime contractor, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or as subcontractors for specific components of the cybersecurity services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and program management offices responsible for the HPCMP. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DoD Cybersecurity Programs
HPCMP IT Services
Federal Cybersecurity Contracts
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Support
DoD High Performance Computing

Risk Flags

Cybersecurity Risk
Contractor Performance
Evolving Threat Landscape
Vendor Lock-in Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.4 million to BOWHEAD MISSION SOLUTIONS, LLC. HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING MODERNIZATION PROGRAM (HPCMP) CYBERSECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER (CSSP) SUPPORT 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 $19.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC's track record with similar cybersecurity contracts for the Department of Defense?

Bowhead Mission Solutions, LLC has a history of supporting various Department of Defense programs, often involving IT services, mission support, and technical expertise. While specific details on past cybersecurity contracts of identical scope and scale are not immediately available in this summary, their general experience suggests a capability to handle complex federal IT requirements. Further investigation into their contract history, particularly with programs similar to HPCMP or involving critical infrastructure protection, would provide a more precise assessment of their relevant track record and performance.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar cybersecurity services?

The awarded value of $19.4 million over approximately two years for cybersecurity support to the HPCMP represents a significant investment. To benchmark this against market rates, one would typically compare it to similar firm-fixed-price contracts awarded by the DoD or other federal agencies for comparable cybersecurity services, considering factors like the scope of work, required expertise, and contract duration. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts and detailed service level agreements, a precise market rate comparison is difficult. However, the competitive bidding process with seven bidders suggests the price is likely within a reasonable range for the specialized services required.

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

Key risks include the evolving nature of cyber threats requiring potential contract modifications, the dependency on a single contractor for critical functions, and ensuring continuous knowledge transfer to avoid vendor lock-in. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract oversight by the Army, clearly defined performance metrics, and potentially incorporating clauses for knowledge sharing and transition planning. The firm-fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost overrun risks, but the dynamic threat landscape remains a persistent challenge that requires proactive management and potential contract adjustments.

How effective is the cybersecurity support expected to be for the HPCMP, based on past performance or similar contracts?

The expected effectiveness hinges on Bowhead Mission Solutions' demonstrated capabilities and the specific performance metrics outlined in the contract, which are not detailed here. Given the competitive award and the firm's general experience in defense IT support, a reasonable level of effectiveness is anticipated. However, a definitive assessment of effectiveness would require analyzing past performance data, user feedback, and the contract's specific objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) related to threat detection, response times, and system resilience.

What are the historical spending patterns for cybersecurity services within the HPCMP or similar DoD programs?

Historical spending on cybersecurity within the HPCMP and similar large-scale DoD programs has generally trended upwards due to the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the growing reliance on advanced computing. Agencies like the DoD consistently allocate substantial budgets to cybersecurity to protect national security interests. This $19.4 million contract is likely part of a larger, ongoing investment in securing critical defense infrastructure. Analyzing prior years' budgets and contract awards for HPCMP cybersecurity would reveal trends in spending levels, types of services procured, and key contractors involved.

What is the significance of the 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type?

The contract type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that while the competition was generally open, certain sources or types of sources were excluded from the initial bidding process. This could be due to specific requirements, security clearances, or prior performance issues. However, the 'after exclusion of sources' part implies that the final award was still made through a broad competitive process among the eligible bidders. This approach aims to balance the benefits of open competition with the need to ensure that only qualified and appropriate entities participate, potentially streamlining the process while still achieving competitive pricing.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912HZ22R0007

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT, 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: $52,030,383

Exercised Options: $21,046,485

Current Obligation: $19,385,478

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $1,707,447

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline