AttainX Inc. awarded $5.7M BPA call for NWS system assessments, with 725 days duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,746,328 ($5.7M)

Contractor: Attainx Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-01-24

End Date: 2027-01-19

Contract Duration: 725 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS CALL ORDER ISSUED UNDER BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT 1305M224A0009 DEFINES THE A&A SERVICES REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE PROMPT, RELIABLE AND HIGH-QUALITY ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS OF ALL NWS SYSTEMS (CURRENTLY [5] HIGH, [17] MODERATE AND [3] LOW AND 3 NO

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $5.7 million to ATTAINX INC. for work described as: THIS CALL ORDER ISSUED UNDER BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT 1305M224A0009 DEFINES THE A&A SERVICES REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE PROMPT, RELIABLE AND HIGH-QUALITY ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS OF ALL NWS SYSTEMS (CURRENTLY [5] HIGH, [17] MODERATE AND [3] LOW AND 3 NO Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison to similar IT service contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators include the Time and Materials contract type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. 4. Performance context is the provision of annual assessments for National Weather Service systems. 5. Sector positioning within custom computer programming services, a common area for federal IT support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $5.7 million over approximately two years for IT assessment services appears within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. However, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging without detailed service level agreements and performance metrics. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common, carries inherent risks for cost control compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts for IT system assessments would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) through full and open competition. The BPA itself likely underwent a competitive process, and this call order leverages that established framework. The 'full and open' designation suggests that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers, which generally promotes a competitive environment and can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition suggests that taxpayers benefit from a wider pool of potential contractors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and thus potentially lower costs for the required services.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its National Weather Service (NWS) are the primary beneficiaries, ensuring the reliability of critical weather systems. Services delivered include annual assessments of NWS systems, categorizing them by risk level (high, moderate, low, none). The geographic impact is national, as NWS systems support weather forecasting and services across the United States. Workforce implications may involve specialized IT security and assessment personnel employed by the contractor, AttainX Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type poses a risk of cost escalation if not closely monitored.
The scope of 'A&A Services' needs clear definition to ensure all requirements are met within budget.
Dependence on a single BPA call order for critical system assessments could be a point of failure if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a pre-competed BPA, indicating a streamlined and potentially efficient procurement process.
Focus on 'prompt, reliable and high-quality' assessments suggests a commitment to service standards.
The contract clearly defines the types and quantities of systems to be assessed, providing good scope clarity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Custom Computer Programming Services sector (NAICS 541511), a significant segment of the federal IT market. This sector encompasses a wide range of services, including software development, system integration, and IT consulting. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to maintain and modernize complex IT infrastructures. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for IT system assessment, cybersecurity services, and custom programming for agencies with similar operational needs to NOAA.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, AttainX Inc., will be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral in terms of direct set-aside opportunities for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. The Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) mechanism itself implies a level of pre-vetting and established terms. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the call order, with potential for Inspector General review if performance issues or irregularities arise.

Related Government Programs

IT System Assessment Services
Cybersecurity Services
Custom Computer Programming Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
National Weather Service Operations

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Potential for Scope Creep
Reliance on BPA Framework

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $5.7 million to ATTAINX INC.. THIS CALL ORDER ISSUED UNDER BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT 1305M224A0009 DEFINES THE A&A SERVICES REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE PROMPT, RELIABLE AND HIGH-QUALITY ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS OF ALL NWS SYSTEMS (CURRENTLY [5] HIGH, [17] MODERATE AND [3] LOW AND 3 NO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATTAINX INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-24. End: 2027-01-19.

What is AttainX Inc.'s track record with federal IT service contracts, particularly those involving system assessments?

AttainX Inc. has a history of performing IT services for the federal government. While specific details on their track record for 'A&A Services' (Assessment and Authorization) or similar system assessment contracts require deeper database analysis, their presence as a contractor suggests prior experience. Federal procurement data would need to be queried to identify the number and value of previous contracts awarded to AttainX Inc. for comparable services, their performance ratings on those contracts, and any past issues or commendations. This would provide a clearer picture of their capability and reliability in delivering the required assessments for NWS systems.

How does the $5.7 million cost compare to similar IT assessment contracts awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $5.7 million cost requires comparing it against contracts for similar IT system assessment and cybersecurity services. Factors such as contract duration (725 days), scope of work (assessing 23 high/moderate/low/none systems), and the specific services included (A&A) are crucial. A preliminary assessment suggests the cost is within a typical range for federal IT support contracts of this duration and complexity. However, a detailed comparison with contracts for similar services, considering the number of systems assessed and the specific risk categories, would be necessary to determine if this represents excellent, good, or fair value for money. The Time and Materials pricing model also introduces variability that complicates direct cost comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for IT assessment services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, as used here, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not precisely defined, or if the project takes longer than anticipated due to unforeseen complexities or inefficiencies, the total cost can escalate significantly beyond initial estimates. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours, and robust change management processes are critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives value for its expenditure.

How effective are annual system assessments in maintaining the security and operational integrity of the National Weather Service's IT infrastructure?

Annual system assessments, often referred to as Assessment and Authorization (A&A) or Continuous Monitoring, are a cornerstone of federal IT security and operational integrity. They are designed to identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance with security policies, and verify that systems are operating as intended. For the National Weather Service (NWS), whose systems are critical for public safety and national security, these assessments are vital for detecting and mitigating threats, ensuring system availability, and maintaining data integrity. The effectiveness hinges on the thoroughness of the assessments, the promptness of remediation for identified issues, and the integration of findings into ongoing risk management processes.

What is the historical spending trend for IT assessment and cybersecurity services within NOAA or the broader Department of Commerce?

Analyzing historical spending trends for IT assessment and cybersecurity services within NOAA and the Department of Commerce is crucial for context. Federal spending in these areas has generally been on an upward trajectory due to increasing cyber threats and the modernization of government IT systems. To provide specific data, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for contract awards under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541511, 541512, 541513, 541519) and PSC codes related to IT services and cybersecurity, filtered by agency (NOAA, Commerce) over the past several fiscal years. This would reveal patterns in spending levels, types of services procured, and key contractors.

What are the implications of assessing 5 high, 17 moderate, and 3 low-risk NWS systems for the contractor and the agency?

The breakdown of systems by risk level (5 high, 17 moderate, 3 low) has significant implications. For the contractor, AttainX Inc., it dictates the level of effort, expertise, and resources required for each assessment. High-risk systems typically demand more rigorous testing, deeper analysis, and potentially more senior personnel, impacting labor costs and timelines. For the agency (NWS/NOAA), this categorization helps prioritize resources, focus mitigation efforts on the most critical vulnerabilities, and manage overall IT risk posture effectively. It also informs the scope and depth of the 'A&A Services' required under this contract, ensuring that critical systems receive appropriate attention.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13873 PARK CENTER RD STE 55N, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,636,581

Exercised Options: $7,918,867

Current Obligation: $5,746,328

Actual Outlays: $3,712,223

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M224A0009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline