Commerce Dept. awards $4.77M for security architecture and vulnerability management support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,774,652 ($4.8M)

Contractor: Gama-1 Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-05-21

End Date: 2026-06-26

Contract Duration: 1,862 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: SECURITY ARCHITECTURE AND VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $4.8 million to GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: SECURITY ARCHITECTURE AND VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical IT security functions for NOAA. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration extends over five years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The award is a BPA Call, a type of task order. 5. The contractor, GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, is a new awardee in this space. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541519, indicating a broad IT services category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.77 million over approximately five years suggests a moderate investment in IT security services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for vulnerability management and security architecture support is challenging without more specific service details and performance metrics. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness. Without detailed performance data or comparison to industry benchmarks for specific security tasks, assessing the overall value for money is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for these services. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive nature of this award, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received a fair market value for the security support services.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), benefits from enhanced cybersecurity posture. Services delivered include support for security architecture and vulnerability management, crucial for protecting sensitive data and systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of NOAA, likely concentrated in Maryland where the contract is managed. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized cybersecurity professionals, potentially creating opportunities for skilled labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not managed efficiently.
Risk of vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge becomes concentrated with the contractor.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical security functions could pose a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for these services.
Focus on essential cybersecurity functions aligns with government priorities.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly cybersecurity, is a rapidly growing and critical area for government operations. This contract falls under the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519), which encompasses a wide range of IT support. The market for security architecture and vulnerability management is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Government spending in this area has been steadily increasing due to evolving cyber threats. This contract represents a portion of the broader federal investment in IT security infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, a company that may or may not be a small business itself, does not explicitly contribute to the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting. Further analysis would be needed to determine the size status of the prime contractor and any potential indirect impacts on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within NOAA. Accountability measures are usually tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract's statement of work and the labor hour tracking. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Cybersecurity Services
IT Support Services
Vulnerability Management
Security Architecture
IT Professional Services

Risk Flags

Labor Hour Pricing
Long Contract Duration
Limited Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $4.8 million to GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. SECURITY ARCHITECTURE AND VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

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 $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-21. End: 2026-06-26.

What is the track record of GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in cybersecurity?

Based on the provided data, GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC is the awardee of this specific contract. Further investigation into federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would be necessary to ascertain their complete federal contracting history. This would include examining past awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of contract modifications or disputes. Understanding their experience with similar cybersecurity services, such as security architecture and vulnerability management, is crucial for assessing their capability to fulfill this contract effectively. Without this broader historical context, it's difficult to fully evaluate their track record.

How does the awarded value of $4.77 million compare to similar cybersecurity support contracts awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies?

Comparing the $4.77 million value requires context regarding the contract's duration (approximately five years) and the specific services rendered. For similar 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) focused on security architecture and vulnerability management, this value appears moderate. However, a precise benchmark is difficult without detailed service scope, labor mix, and performance expectations. Agencies often award task orders under larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles for such services, with individual task orders varying significantly in value. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing recent awards for comparable services, considering factors like the number of bidders, contract type (labor hours vs. fixed price), and geographic location.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential cost overruns due to the labor-hour pricing model if not managed diligently, the possibility of vendor lock-in if the contractor develops unique, indispensable knowledge, and performance degradation impacting NOAA's cybersecurity posture. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust oversight by the contracting officer and program managers, regular performance reviews against defined metrics, and clear contract clauses for deliverables and service levels. The competitive nature of the award may also incentivize the contractor to perform well to secure future work. However, specific mitigation plans are not detailed in the provided data.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring value for money for these types of IT security services?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, it fosters a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. The fact that 7 bidders participated in this award suggests that the market for these services is robust enough to support broad competition. This process increases the likelihood that the government will receive high-quality services at a fair and reasonable price. However, the ultimate effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the government's ability to manage the resulting contract.

What is the historical spending trend for security architecture and vulnerability management support services within the Department of Commerce or NOAA?

The provided data does not include historical spending trends. To assess this, one would need to analyze historical contract awards for the Department of Commerce and NOAA related to NAICS code 541519 and specific service descriptions like 'security architecture' and 'vulnerability management' over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, providing context for the current $4.77 million award. Such trends can indicate evolving threats, changing technological needs, or shifts in agency priorities regarding cybersecurity.

Are there any specific performance metrics or KPIs associated with this contract that indicate its expected effectiveness?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, contracts for security architecture and vulnerability management would include metrics related to the timeliness of vulnerability identification and reporting, the accuracy of risk assessments, the effectiveness of implemented security controls, and response times to security incidents. The effectiveness of the contract is directly tied to the achievement of these metrics, which are usually detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Without these details, assessing the contract's expected effectiveness is speculative.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7500 GREENWAY CENTER DR, GREENBELT, MD, 20770

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,244,964

Exercised Options: $6,136,574

Current Obligation: $4,774,652

Actual Outlays: $1,928,678

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M421ANAAA0038

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline