DOJ Awards $399K VAST Maintenance Renewal to Flywheel Data LLC for FBI IT Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $398,977 ($399.0K)

Contractor: Flywheel Data LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-05-13

End Date: 2026-05-12

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: VAST MAINTENANCE RENEWAL

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $398,976.53 to FLYWHEEL DATA LLC for work described as: VAST MAINTENANCE RENEWAL Key points: 1. The contract is for VAST maintenance renewal, a critical IT service for the FBI. 2. Flywheel Data LLC is the incumbent provider, suggesting potential for vendor lock-in. 3. The contract value is relatively small, but the service is essential for FBI operations. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically computer-related services, with a broad NAICS code. 5. The contract duration is one year, indicating a recurring need.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $398,976.53 for a one-year renewal appears reasonable for specialized IT maintenance services. Benchmarking against similar FBI IT maintenance contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method is 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies a prior limited competition or a specific justification for excluding other sources. This method may limit price discovery compared to a truly open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is the direct cost of the contract, $398,976.53, for essential FBI IT maintenance. The limited competition might result in a slightly higher price than a fully open process.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical VAST systems for the FBI. Supports law enforcement and national security functions reliant on these IT systems. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition impacting overall IT budget efficiency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may not yield the best price.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical maintenance.
Potential for scope creep or unaddressed needs in future renewals.

Positive Signals

Essential service for a key federal agency.
Clear contract duration and pricing structure.
Incumbent provider likely offers continuity and expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519). Spending in this category is substantial across the federal government, supporting a wide range of agency operations.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this procurement. Given the specialized nature of VAST maintenance, it's possible larger or specialized firms were prioritized.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Justice for the FBI. Standard federal procurement oversight applies, focusing on contract performance, adherence to terms, and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with Flywheel Data LLC.
Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Lack of clarity on specific VAST system capabilities and dependencies.
Need to ensure maintenance aligns with broader IT modernization goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $398,976.53 to FLYWHEEL DATA LLC. VAST MAINTENANCE RENEWAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FLYWHEEL DATA LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $398,976.53.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-13. End: 2026-05-12.

What specific functionalities does VAST provide to the FBI, and how critical are they to ongoing operations?

VAST likely refers to a Video Analysis and Storage Technology system crucial for the FBI's evidence management, surveillance, and investigative processes. Its criticality stems from enabling the secure storage, retrieval, and analysis of vast amounts of digital evidence, directly supporting investigations and potential prosecutions. Disruptions could significantly impede law enforcement capabilities.

What is the justification for 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' and what are the potential risks to cost-effectiveness?

This justification typically arises when a previous contract was limited, or specific circumstances warrant excluding certain potential offerors. The risk to cost-effectiveness is that it may not have attracted the widest possible pool of bidders, potentially leading to higher prices than a truly open competition. A thorough review of the justification documentation is needed to assess its validity.

How does the renewal of this maintenance contract contribute to the FBI's overall IT modernization and cybersecurity posture?

Maintaining existing systems like VAST is essential for operational continuity, but it doesn't inherently drive modernization or enhance cybersecurity unless the maintenance contract specifically includes upgrades or security enhancements. The FBI must ensure that such renewals are balanced with investments in newer technologies and robust cybersecurity measures to avoid technical debt and vulnerabilities.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1818 LIBRARY ST STE 500, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $398,977

Exercised Options: $398,977

Current Obligation: $398,977

Actual Outlays: $399,028

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD90B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline