MITRE Corporation awarded $24.5M for cybersecurity R&D, focusing on NIST's National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,494,584 ($24.5M)

Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 546 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NCCOE CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $24.5 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: NCCOE CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical cybersecurity research and development, aligning with national security priorities. 2. The award to a single, highly-qualified contractor suggests a need for specialized expertise. 3. Performance period spans over 1.5 years, indicating a medium-term research initiative. 4. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility in research but requires careful cost oversight. 5. This award contributes to the broader landscape of federal cybersecurity initiatives and innovation. 6. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a key player in setting cybersecurity standards.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.5 million for a 546-day period appears reasonable for specialized cybersecurity research and development services. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is challenging without more specific service details, but MITRE's established role in government research suggests competitive pricing for their expertise. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the fixed fee component and overall project goals.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the fact that it was competed openly suggests a healthy market for these specialized services. This approach generally promotes price discovery and encourages competitive offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value by fostering a competitive environment, potentially leading to lower overall costs for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and its National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCOE). The services delivered will advance cybersecurity research, development, and engineering capabilities. The geographic impact is national, as NIST's work influences cybersecurity practices across the United States. Workforce implications include potential for highly skilled cybersecurity researchers and engineers to contribute to cutting-edge projects.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
The specific deliverables and milestones need clear definition to ensure accountability.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized R&D may limit future flexibility if needs change drastically.

Positive Signals

Award to The MITRE Corporation, a well-respected organization with a strong track record in R&D.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
Focus on cybersecurity R&D aligns with critical national security and economic interests.
Clear performance period provides a defined scope for research activities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity. The market for cybersecurity R&D is substantial and growing, driven by increasing digital threats. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government contracts for advanced research in areas like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and network security. NIST's role as a standards-setting body makes this contract crucial for advancing foundational cybersecurity knowledge and practices.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of cybersecurity research and development, it is unlikely that small businesses would be the primary awardees unless they are part of a larger team or possess unique, niche capabilities. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but this would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific needs of the research projects.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by NIST program officials responsible for the NCCOE. Accountability measures will be tied to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract terms, including regular reporting, milestone reviews, and adherence to the fixed fee. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases and public reporting on NIST's initiatives. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCOE) Initiatives
NIST Cybersecurity Research Programs
Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Grants
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Research

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Scope definition is critical for R&D contracts to prevent uncontrolled expansion.
Reliance on specialized expertise may limit long-term contractor flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $24.5 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. NCCOE CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-01. End: 2026-09-29.

What is The MITRE Corporation's track record with similar cybersecurity R&D contracts?

The MITRE Corporation has an extensive history of performing research, development, and engineering services for various U.S. government agencies, including significant work in cybersecurity. They operate several federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and are known for their expertise in areas like threat modeling, secure software development, and advanced network security. Their involvement with NIST's NCCOE is also well-established, indicating a deep understanding of the center's mission and operational needs. Past performance reviews and contract databases would provide more granular detail on specific project successes and challenges, but their overall reputation in this domain is strong.

How does the value of this contract compare to other cybersecurity R&D efforts?

The $24.5 million award for a 546-day period is a significant but not extraordinary sum for specialized cybersecurity R&D. Large-scale cybersecurity initiatives, particularly those involving advanced technology development or broad implementation, can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. This contract appears to be focused on a specific set of research, development, and engineering tasks within the NCCOE framework. Benchmarking requires comparing the scope of work, duration, and the specific expertise required. Given MITRE's role and the nature of R&D, this value suggests a focused, high-impact research effort rather than a broad program deployment.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract?

The primary risks with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, especially in R&D, revolve around cost control and scope creep. While the fixed fee provides a ceiling for the contractor's profit, the 'cost plus' portion means the government reimburses allowable costs. If research leads to unforeseen complexities or requires more resources than initially estimated, costs can escalate. There's also a risk that the contractor might be incentivized to incur costs to ensure the 'cost' portion is maximized, although the fixed fee mitigates this to some extent. Effective oversight, clear definition of allowable costs, and rigorous progress monitoring are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the NCCOE in translating research into practical cybersecurity solutions?

The National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCOE), a joint venture between NIST, the Department of Homeland Security, and the private sector, aims to accelerate the adoption of cybersecurity practices and technologies. Its effectiveness is generally viewed positively, as it provides a collaborative environment for developing practical cybersecurity approaches and playbooks. The NCCOE focuses on real-world challenges and produces guidance, reference architectures, and best practices. While measuring direct 'translation' can be complex, the center's output is widely used by industry and government, indicating a significant impact on improving cybersecurity posture.

What is the historical spending trend for cybersecurity R&D at NIST?

NIST's cybersecurity R&D spending has seen a consistent increase over the years, reflecting the growing importance of cybersecurity to national and economic security. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on budget allocations and program priorities, NIST consistently invests in research areas such as cryptography, identity management, secure software development, and privacy-enhancing technologies. This contract represents a portion of that ongoing investment. Analyzing NIST's budget justifications and historical contract awards would reveal a trend of sustained and often increasing funding for cybersecurity-related research and development activities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1333ND25QNB770125

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,291,808

Exercised Options: $24,494,584

Current Obligation: $24,494,584

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $2,298,450

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCSB134114CQ0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline