Interior awards $4.37M for SIEM and ICAM support to PHIA LLC, a 3-year contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,371,030 ($4.4M)

Contractor: Phia LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-02-28

End Date: 2027-02-27

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: SIEM AND ICAM SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.4 million to PHIA LLC for work described as: SIEM AND ICAM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of IT support services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with potential for cost overruns in time and materials contracts. 4. This contract supports critical cybersecurity functions for the Department of the Interior. 5. The vendor, PHIA LLC, is positioned to provide specialized IT services. 6. The contract's duration of three years allows for stable service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.37 million over three years for SIEM and ICAM support is within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar cybersecurity support contracts for federal agencies suggests this pricing is competitive. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while offering flexibility, warrants close monitoring to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent cost creep. The total value is modest compared to larger enterprise-wide IT procurements.

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 offers. The presence of three bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specific requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and encourages vendors to offer their best value propositions to secure the award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for essential cybersecurity services.

Public Impact

The Department of the Interior's IT infrastructure and data security will be enhanced. Critical cybersecurity functions, including Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM), will be supported. Federal employees and contractors will benefit from improved security protocols. The contract supports the agency's mission by ensuring the integrity and availability of its IT systems. The primary geographic impact is within the Department of the Interior's operational areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Scope creep could increase the overall cost beyond the initial estimate.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical cybersecurity functions may pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
The contract duration of three years provides stability for service delivery.
PHIA LLC's specialization in IT services suggests relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity. The market for SIEM and ICAM solutions is robust, driven by increasing cyber threats and regulatory compliance requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks for cybersecurity support services vary widely based on agency size and complexity, but this contract's value is moderate for a departmental-level requirement. The IT services market is characterized by a mix of large prime contractors and specialized small businesses.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, PHIA LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this award. The lack of a small business set-aside means opportunities for small business participation are not guaranteed, though they may still occur if PHIA LLC chooses to subcontract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of the Interior. Performance will be monitored against the terms and conditions of the Time and Materials contract, with regular reviews of deliverables and expenditures. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits or investigations if performance issues or potential fraud are identified.

Related Government Programs

Cybersecurity Services
IT Support Services
SIEM Solutions
ICAM Solutions
Federal IT Contracts
Department of the Interior IT Spending

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Scope Creep
Vendor Performance Monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.4 million to PHIA LLC. SIEM AND ICAM SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PHIA LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-28. End: 2027-02-27.

What is PHIA LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly in cybersecurity?

Information regarding PHIA LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially in cybersecurity, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government engagements. Understanding their experience with SIEM and ICAM solutions specifically would be crucial. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their capability and reliability for this critical function. Further research into contract databases and performance reports would be necessary to build a complete picture of their federal performance history.

How does the $4.37 million value compare to similar SIEM and ICAM support contracts across federal agencies?

The $4.37 million contract value over three years for SIEM and ICAM support is considered moderate within the federal IT services landscape. Agencies like the Department of Defense or Homeland Security often award larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions due to their scale and threat exposure. However, for a departmental-level requirement within the Department of the Interior, this value appears reasonable. Benchmarking against contracts with similar scopes, durations, and service levels for agencies of comparable size would provide a more precise comparison. Factors such as the number of users supported, the complexity of the IT environment, and the specific technologies deployed significantly influence contract values.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for cybersecurity services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for cybersecurity services 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. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if not rigorously managed. For cybersecurity, this could mean extended troubleshooting, prolonged implementation phases, or unnecessary material purchases. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and strong performance metrics are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money. The government must actively monitor labor hours and material costs to prevent scope creep and maintain cost control.

How effective are SIEM and ICAM systems in preventing major cybersecurity breaches for agencies like the Department of the Interior?

SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and ICAM (Identity, Credential, and Access Management) systems are foundational components for preventing major cybersecurity breaches. SIEM systems aggregate and analyze security logs from various sources, enabling the detection of suspicious activities, policy violations, and potential threats in near real-time. ICAM solutions manage user identities, control access to resources, and enforce authentication policies, ensuring only authorized individuals can access sensitive data. While these systems are critical, their effectiveness depends heavily on proper configuration, continuous monitoring, timely response to alerts, and integration with other security controls. They are not foolproof but significantly enhance an agency's ability to detect, respond to, and mitigate threats, thereby reducing the likelihood and impact of breaches.

What has been the historical spending trend for SIEM and ICAM support within the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending trends for SIEM and ICAM support within the Department of the Interior are not provided in the current data. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. Key metrics to track would include the total annual expenditure on these services, the number of contracts awarded, the primary vendors utilized, and the average contract values. Understanding historical spending can reveal patterns of investment, identify potential increases or decreases in demand, and highlight any shifts in procurement strategies or vendor reliance. This context is vital for evaluating the current $4.37 million award as part of a larger, ongoing investment in the department's cybersecurity posture.

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 - SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140D0424Q0066

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 301 SW TUALATIN LOOP, WEST LINN, OR, 97068

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,078,647

Exercised Options: $6,599,757

Current Obligation: $4,371,030

Actual Outlays: $3,810,686

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0423A0040

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline