FCC awards $2.4M for security testing, with 12 bidders vying for the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,432,898 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Light Speed Partners JV, LLC

Awarding Agency: Federal Communications Commission

Start Date: 2024-05-24

End Date: 2026-05-27

Contract Duration: 733 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SECURITY TESTING AND EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ASHBURN, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20147

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Communications Commission obligated $2.4 million to LIGHT SPEED PARTNERS JV, LLC for work described as: SECURITY TESTING AND EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.43 million over two years suggests a moderate investment in essential security services. 2. With 12 bidders, the competition level indicates a healthy market response for these specialized IT services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the agency. 4. The 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code points to a focus on technical IT infrastructure and security. 5. The contract's duration of 733 days aligns with typical project lifecycles for security testing and evaluation. 6. The award was made under full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.43 million over two years, averaging around $1.2 million annually, appears reasonable for specialized security testing and evaluation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT security support within federal agencies suggests this is within a typical range. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for value. Without specific per-unit metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award supports a good value proposition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the initial solicitation might have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. The participation of 12 bidders is a strong signal of robust competition. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors, suggesting that the FCC likely received a range of proposals and selected the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The high level of competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down prices and encourages vendors to offer their best terms and technical solutions, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical security testing and evaluation support. The services delivered will enhance the security posture of the FCC's IT systems and infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contractor is located, but the services support the FCC's national mission. The contract supports specialized IT security professionals, contributing to the cybersecurity workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on work is not competitively bid.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security testing could pose risks if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a wide range of potential providers were considered.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
The contractor, LIGHT SPEED PARTNERS JV, LLC, is a joint venture, potentially bringing diverse expertise.
The contract is for security testing and evaluation, a crucial function for agency IT resilience.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly cybersecurity, is experiencing significant growth and demand within the federal government. This contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512), a broad category encompassing IT consulting, system integration, and related services. The federal market for IT services is substantial, with agencies like the FCC investing heavily to maintain and upgrade their technological infrastructure and protect sensitive data. This award represents a typical procurement within this sector, aimed at ensuring the integrity and security of critical government IT systems.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, LIGHT SPEED PARTNERS JV, LLC, is a joint venture. While joint ventures can sometimes be structured to include small businesses, the data does not indicate a small business set-aside. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this contract, which could provide indirect benefits to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms would typically include contract management by the contracting officer and program managers, regular performance reviews, and adherence to the terms of the firm-fixed-price agreement. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases like FPDS. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would be that of the FCC's Office of Inspector General, which would investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance
IT Security Services
Cybersecurity Support Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services
Federal IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical security assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Communications Commission awarded $2.4 million to LIGHT SPEED PARTNERS JV, LLC. SECURITY TESTING AND EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LIGHT SPEED PARTNERS JV, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communications Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-24. End: 2026-05-27.

What is the track record of LIGHT SPEED PARTNERS JV, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of LIGHT SPEED PARTNERS JV, LLC for federal contracts is limited in the provided data. As a joint venture, its performance history might be a composite of its member companies or a developing history under its own name. A deeper dive into contract databases (like FPDS) and past performance reviews would be necessary to assess their experience with security testing and evaluation, adherence to schedules, quality of deliverables, and overall customer satisfaction on previous federal engagements. Understanding their past performance is crucial for evaluating the risk associated with this current award.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar security testing services?

The provided data indicates a total award of $2,432,898.22 for approximately 733 days of service. This equates to an average annual cost of roughly $1.2 million. To benchmark this against market rates, one would need to compare it with similar solicitations and awards for security testing and evaluation services from other federal agencies or even commercial entities, considering factors like scope of work, required expertise, and service levels. Given the competitive nature (12 bidders), it is likely that the price is competitive. However, a detailed market analysis comparing specific labor categories, hours, and deliverables would provide a more definitive answer on whether this represents excellent, good, or fair value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or the detailed performance measurement plan for this contract. Typically, for security testing and evaluation services, KPIs might include the number of vulnerabilities identified and their severity, the timeliness of reporting findings, the accuracy of assessments, and adherence to testing methodologies. The contract's performance would likely be monitored by the FCC's contracting officer's representative (COR) through regular reports, technical reviews, and potentially site visits. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests that meeting defined deliverables and quality standards is paramount.

What is the historical spending trend for security testing and evaluation services at the FCC?

The provided data only pertains to this specific contract award. To understand the historical spending trend for security testing and evaluation services at the FCC, one would need to analyze spending data over multiple fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for contracts awarded by the FCC under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541512, 541519) and service descriptions related to security testing, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and IT security evaluations. Analyzing this trend would reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and identify key contractors and contract types utilized.

Are there any specific security risks or vulnerabilities that this contract aims to address?

While the contract's objective is broadly 'SECURITY TESTING AND EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES,' the specific security risks or vulnerabilities it aims to address are not detailed in the provided summary. Federal agencies like the FCC face a wide array of cyber threats, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, denial-of-service attacks, and insider threats. This contract likely supports proactive measures to identify weaknesses in the FCC's IT infrastructure, networks, and applications before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The evaluation services would aim to uncover vulnerabilities related to software, hardware, network configurations, and potentially human factors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design 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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 273FCC24Q0007

Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 44790 MAYNARD SQ STE 280, ASHBURN, VA, 20147

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,464,795

Exercised Options: $2,656,436

Current Obligation: $2,432,898

Actual Outlays: $2,209,565

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB22D0068

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline