VA awards $6.4M for Forescout hardware maintenance and support to Swish Data Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,439,169 ($6.4M)

Contractor: Swish Data Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FORESCOUT HARDWARE (ACTIVE CARE) MAINTENANCE, GOLD LEVEL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: TEMPE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85282

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $6.4 million to SWISH DATA CORPORATION for work described as: FORESCOUT HARDWARE (ACTIVE CARE) MAINTENANCE, GOLD LEVEL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential maintenance and Gold Level support for Forescout hardware, ensuring operational continuity. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. The duration of the contract is one year, with a potential for renewal. 4. The awardee, Swish Data Corporation, is a small business. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which provides cost certainty for the government. 6. The services are critical for maintaining the security and functionality of network access control systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.4 million for one year of hardware maintenance and Gold Level support appears reasonable given the critical nature of network security hardware. Benchmarking against similar support contracts for enterprise-level security solutions suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed price structure helps manage cost predictability. However, a more granular breakdown of costs for specific hardware models and support tiers would allow for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This specific procurement method suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated in the provided data, but the 'exclusion of sources' phrasing implies a more controlled competition than a standard full and open process.

Taxpayer Impact: While the competition was not entirely unrestricted, the 'after exclusion of sources' approach aims to ensure fair pricing by allowing multiple qualified vendors to bid. Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that seeks to avoid sole-source awards and leverage market dynamics for better value.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits from uninterrupted operation of its network security infrastructure. This contract ensures the continued availability of Gold Level support services for critical Forescout hardware. The services support the VA's mission to provide healthcare and benefits to veterans by maintaining secure IT systems. The contract impacts the IT workforce responsible for managing and maintaining network security devices within the VA.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical hardware maintenance and support.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes precise value-for-money assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Award to a small business vendor, Swish Data Corporation.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Gold Level support ensures high availability and rapid response for critical hardware.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on hardware maintenance and support for network security solutions. The market for cybersecurity hardware and associated support services is robust and growing, driven by increasing cyber threats. The VA's spending on such services is a significant component of its overall IT budget, aimed at protecting sensitive veteran data and ensuring the continuity of its operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government contracts for similar enterprise-level security hardware maintenance and support.

Small Business Impact

Swish Data Corporation, the awardee, is identified as a small business. This award contributes to the government's goal of supporting small businesses. As this is a hardware maintenance contract, the direct impact on small business subcontracting opportunities may be limited unless Swish Data relies on external partners for specific support functions or parts. However, the award itself represents a direct contract win for a small business in the IT services space.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Network Security Hardware Maintenance
IT Support Services
Cybersecurity Solutions
Department of Veterans Affairs IT Contracts
Forescout Technology Support

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'
Potential vendor lock-in for critical security hardware

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $6.4 million to SWISH DATA CORPORATION. FORESCOUT HARDWARE (ACTIVE CARE) MAINTENANCE, GOLD LEVEL SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SWISH DATA CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of Swish Data Corporation in performing similar IT support and maintenance contracts for federal agencies?

Swish Data Corporation's track record in performing similar IT support and maintenance contracts for federal agencies is a key factor in assessing their capability. While the provided data indicates they are a small business and the awardee for this specific contract, a deeper dive into their past performance is necessary. This would involve reviewing their contract history, including the types of services rendered, contract values, durations, and performance ratings from previous federal engagements. Agencies typically maintain past performance information that can be accessed during the procurement process. A positive history with similar cybersecurity hardware maintenance and support contracts would increase confidence in their ability to meet the VA's requirements effectively and efficiently.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar Forescout hardware maintenance contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Comparing the pricing of this $6.4 million contract for one year of Forescout hardware maintenance and Gold Level support to similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies is crucial for value assessment. This benchmarking process involves identifying comparable contracts based on the type of hardware, level of support (e.g., Gold Level), contract duration, and the size and complexity of the environment supported. Factors such as geographic location, specific hardware models, and the inclusion of additional services can influence pricing. A thorough analysis would reveal if Swish Data Corporation's pricing is competitive within the federal market for these specialized services. Deviations from market rates, either significantly higher or lower, would warrant further investigation into the underlying cost structures and potential risks or benefits.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical network security hardware maintenance and support?

Relying on a single vendor for critical network security hardware maintenance and support, even with a competitive award process, presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes heavily dependent on the vendor's proprietary technology and services, making it difficult and costly to switch providers. Secondly, if the vendor experiences financial instability or decides to discontinue support for specific product lines, the VA could face significant disruptions. Thirdly, a lack of ongoing competition could lead to price increases in future contract renewals. Finally, the vendor's ability to scale support or adapt to evolving security threats might be limited compared to a more diverse market. Mitigating these risks often involves robust contract management, clear performance metrics, and contingency planning.

What is the expected effectiveness of Gold Level support in ensuring the uptime and security of the VA's Forescout hardware?

Gold Level support is typically designed to provide the highest tier of service for critical hardware, aiming to ensure maximum uptime and rapid resolution of issues. For Forescout hardware, which plays a crucial role in network access control and security, this level of support usually includes features like 24/7 technical assistance, guaranteed response times (often within hours or even minutes for critical issues), proactive monitoring, and expedited hardware replacement. The effectiveness of this support hinges on the vendor's capabilities and the VA's internal processes for leveraging the support. If Swish Data Corporation effectively delivers on the promised Gold Level services, it should significantly contribute to maintaining the security posture and operational continuity of the VA's network infrastructure, minimizing the impact of hardware failures or performance degradations.

How has the VA's spending on Forescout hardware maintenance and support evolved over the past five years?

Analyzing the VA's spending on Forescout hardware maintenance and support over the past five years would provide valuable context for the current $6.4 million award. This historical spending data can reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the number of vendors utilized. For instance, a consistent increase in spending might indicate growing reliance on Forescout technology or rising support costs. Conversely, a decrease could suggest consolidation of systems or a shift to alternative solutions. Understanding these historical patterns helps in assessing whether the current contract represents a typical investment, an escalation, or a reduction in spending for this category of service. It also informs future budget planning and potential negotiation strategies.

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 - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1420 SPRING HILL RD, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,816,817

Exercised Options: $6,439,169

Current Obligation: $6,439,169

Actual Outlays: $6,439,169

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC91B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline