Interior's $7.5M RMF Support Contract Awarded to ISBEE, Highlighting Small Business Focus

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,567,667 ($7.6M)

Contractor: Tikras Technology Solutions Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2019-09-20

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,475 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (RMF) SUPPORT 100% SET-SIDE FOR INDIAN SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE (ISBEE).

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22181

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $7.6 million to TIKRAS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. for work described as: RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (RMF) SUPPORT 100% SET-SIDE FOR INDIAN SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE (ISBEE). Key points: 1. Contract prioritizes Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) participation, aligning with federal small business goals. 2. The award utilizes a 100% set-aside for ISBEE, ensuring direct benefit to a specific socio-economic category. 3. Risk Management Framework (RMF) support is critical for maintaining cybersecurity posture across the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. 4. The contract's duration of approximately 2475 days (over 6 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. 5. Awarded as a Purchase Order under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a streamlined procurement process for a relatively modest value. 6. The specific NAICS code (541519) points to a broad range of 'Other Computer Related Services', requiring detailed understanding of the scope. 7. The contractor, TIKRAS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP., is a key player in fulfilling this ISBEE set-aside requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $7.57 million over nearly seven years represents a moderate investment for specialized IT support. Benchmarking this against similar RMF support contracts is challenging without more detailed scope information. However, the use of a purchase order under SAP suggests a focus on efficiency and potentially competitive pricing within the simplified acquisition threshold. The value appears reasonable for the duration and specialized nature of the services, particularly given the ISBEE set-aside which may influence pricing dynamics.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was a 100% set-aside for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE). This means competition was limited to eligible ISBEE firms. While this approach ensures support for a specific socio-economic group, it restricts the pool of potential bidders compared to full and open competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but the set-aside nature inherently limits broad market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: The ISBEE set-aside directs federal dollars to a specific small business category, fulfilling a policy objective. However, it means taxpayers may not benefit from the potentially lower prices that could arise from wider competition among all types of businesses.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, which will receive essential cybersecurity support. The contract delivers critical Risk Management Framework (RMF) services, crucial for protecting sensitive data and systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, likely across various tribal lands and federal facilities. Workforce implications include the direct employment of individuals by TIKRAS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. and potentially indirect benefits to the ISBEE ecosystem.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to ISBEE set-aside could potentially lead to higher costs than a fully competed contract.
The broad NAICS code (541519) requires careful monitoring to ensure services remain within the intended scope of RMF support.
Performance monitoring is crucial to ensure TIKRAS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. meets all RMF requirements effectively over the contract's long duration.

Positive Signals

Directly supports federal goals for empowering Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises.
Ensures continuity of critical cybersecurity operations for vital educational and governmental functions.
The long contract duration provides stability for both the agency and the contractor.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly cybersecurity and compliance support like RMF, is a rapidly growing area within federal contracting. This contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519), a broad category encompassing various IT consulting and support functions. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by increasing cyber threats and regulatory requirements. This specific contract's value is modest within the overall federal IT spending landscape, but its targeted nature towards ISBEE makes it significant for that segment.

Small Business Impact

This contract is a 100% set-aside specifically for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE), a category of small businesses owned and controlled by Native Americans. This is a significant positive signal for the ISBEE ecosystem, directly channeling federal funds to these businesses. It ensures that a portion of federal IT spending benefits this targeted group. Subcontracting implications are minimal as the entire contract is set aside, but it encourages the prime contractor to build capacity within the ISBEE community.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the contracting officers and program managers within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. As a Purchase Order under SAP, formal oversight mechanisms might be less extensive than for larger, more complex contracts. However, performance reviews, regular reporting, and adherence to RMF standards will be key accountability measures. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Cybersecurity Services
IT Support Services
Risk Management Framework (RMF)
Small Business Set-Aside Contracts
Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) Program
Bureau of Indian Affairs IT Spending

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to set-aside
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed
Reliance on a single small business for critical cybersecurity functions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $7.6 million to TIKRAS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP.. RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (RMF) SUPPORT 100% SET-SIDE FOR INDIAN SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE (ISBEE).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TIKRAS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-20. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the specific scope of 'RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (RMF) SUPPORT' required under this contract?

The contract data indicates the service is 'RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (RMF) SUPPORT' under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). RMF is a standardized process used by federal agencies to manage information security and privacy risks. This typically involves identifying security controls, assessing their effectiveness, authorizing systems for operation, and continuously monitoring their security posture. The specific tasks likely include developing RMF documentation, conducting security control assessments, implementing security plans, and ensuring compliance with relevant federal cybersecurity policies (e.g., NIST standards). The exact deliverables and depth of support would be detailed in the Purchase Order's statement of work, which is not provided here but is crucial for fully understanding the contract's value and performance.

How does the pricing structure (Labor Hours) compare to industry benchmarks for RMF support?

The contract specifies 'LABOR HOURS' as the contract type, meaning payment is based on the time spent by personnel performing the work. Benchmarking labor hour rates for RMF support requires detailed knowledge of the skill levels, experience, and geographic location of the personnel involved, as well as the specific tasks performed. General industry benchmarks for IT support and cybersecurity consulting vary widely. Given this is a 100% ISBEE set-aside under SAP, the rates might differ from those found in larger, fully competed contracts. Without specific labor categories, hours, and rates, a precise comparison is difficult. However, agencies typically aim for competitive rates within the simplified acquisition environment, balancing cost with the need to secure qualified support for critical functions like RMF.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding an RMF support contract solely to an ISBEE?

The primary potential risk associated with a sole ISBEE set-aside is limited competition, which could theoretically lead to higher prices than if the contract were open to all responsible sources. There's also a risk that the pool of eligible ISBEE firms with the highly specialized expertise required for comprehensive RMF support might be smaller, potentially impacting the availability of top-tier talent or leading to contractor over-reliance. However, the government mitigates these risks by defining clear performance standards, requiring qualified personnel, and conducting thorough oversight. The ISBEE program itself is designed to foster growth and capability within these businesses, so this award also represents an investment in developing that capacity.

What is the historical spending pattern for RMF support services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education?

Historical spending data for RMF support services specifically by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is not directly available in the provided data snippet. However, federal agencies across the board have significantly increased spending on cybersecurity and RMF support over the past decade due to evolving threats and regulatory mandates. Given the critical nature of protecting sensitive data related to tribal affairs and education, it's reasonable to assume that BIA and BIE have consistently required such services. This $7.57 million contract over nearly seven years suggests a sustained, moderate level of investment in this area, aligning with broader federal trends. Analyzing historical contract databases for these agencies under relevant NAICS codes would provide a clearer picture of past spending patterns.

How does the contractor, TIKRAS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP., perform on other federal contracts, particularly those involving cybersecurity or RMF?

Information regarding the past performance of TIKRAS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. on other federal contracts, especially those related to cybersecurity or RMF, is not included in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment of this contract's value and risk would typically involve reviewing the contractor's performance history, including past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), contract awards, and any documented issues or successes. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their track record. However, the fact that they were awarded this ISBEE set-aside contract suggests they met the eligibility criteria and were deemed capable of performing the required services by the Department of the Interior.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140A1619Q0208

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9866 OAKDALE WOODS COURT, VIENNA, VA, 22181

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,362,213

Exercised Options: $8,362,213

Current Obligation: $7,567,667

Actual Outlays: $6,919,006

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline