VA awards $17.2M for endpoint security and compliance, software assurance, and source code review

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,223,649 ($17.2M)

Contractor: Veterans Engineering Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTERPRISE-WIDE ENDPOINT SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE MONITORING AND REPORTING, AUTHORIZATION, AND ACCREDITATION SUPPORT FOR DEFINED FISMA SYSTEM BOUNDARIES, AND SOFTWARE ASSURANCE AND SOURCE CODE REVIEW FOR VA APPLICATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $17.2 million to VETERANS ENGINEERING INCORPORATED for work described as: ENTERPRISE-WIDE ENDPOINT SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE MONITORING AND REPORTING, AUTHORIZATION, AND ACCREDITATION SUPPORT FOR DEFINED FISMA SYSTEM BOUNDARIES, AND SOFTWARE ASSURANCE AND SOURCE CODE REVIEW FOR VA APPLICATIONS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical cybersecurity functions for VA systems and applications. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests defined scope and cost certainty. 3. Full and Open Competition indicates broad market participation. 4. Duration of 729 days provides a medium-term engagement. 5. Contract value is moderate within the IT services sector. 6. Focus on FISMA compliance and software assurance highlights regulatory adherence. 7. Delivery Order under an existing contract structure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.2 million for endpoint security, compliance monitoring, and software assurance appears reasonable given the scope of services. While specific benchmarks for this exact combination of services are difficult to ascertain without more granular data, similar large-scale cybersecurity and IT support contracts for federal agencies often fall within this range. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, and the duration of approximately two years allows for sustained support. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and service levels to other VA or agency-wide cybersecurity contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids indicates a competitive process, though the exact number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing for the government. Without knowing the specific solicitation details and the evaluation criteria, it's challenging to definitively assess the extent of price competition achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation from a wider pool of vendors.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs by enhancing its cybersecurity posture. Delivers essential services including endpoint security, compliance monitoring, and software assurance. Impacts the security and integrity of VA applications and defined FISMA systems. Supports the operational readiness and data protection of a major federal agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving cybersecurity threats and VA policies.
Measuring the effectiveness and ROI of security monitoring and reporting tools.

Positive Signals

Clear focus on critical cybersecurity and compliance functions.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition promotes market-based pricing.
Delivery Order structure implies an established contracting vehicle.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity services. The market for cybersecurity solutions is vast and rapidly evolving, with significant government spending allocated to protecting sensitive data and critical infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for enterprise-wide endpoint security, compliance monitoring, and software assurance can vary widely based on the size and complexity of the organization, but this $17.2 million award is a substantial investment for a specific set of services within the VA. The contract aligns with the government's broader efforts to modernize IT systems and enhance digital security.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting that large businesses were likely the primary participants. Without explicit subcontracting goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, though prime contractors may engage small businesses for specialized support if deemed necessary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Specific accountability measures would be detailed within the contract's statement of work and performance metrics. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Cybersecurity Modernization Programs
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance Support
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions
Software Assurance and Vulnerability Management
IT Services for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Cybersecurity Threat Evolution
Vendor Performance Variability
Data Breach Risk
Compliance Drift

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $17.2 million to VETERANS ENGINEERING INCORPORATED. ENTERPRISE-WIDE ENDPOINT SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE MONITORING AND REPORTING, AUTHORIZATION, AND ACCREDITATION SUPPORT FOR DEFINED FISMA SYSTEM BOUNDARIES, AND SOFTWARE ASSURANCE AND SOURCE CODE REVIEW FOR VA APPLICATIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETERANS ENGINEERING INCORPORATED.

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 $17.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of Veterans Engineering Incorporated in delivering similar cybersecurity services to federal agencies?

Veterans Engineering Incorporated (VEI) has a history of providing IT services to the federal government, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. While specific details on their cybersecurity service delivery for contracts of this magnitude require deeper investigation into past performance reports and contract histories, VEI's general experience in IT solutions suggests a foundational capability. To fully assess their track record for this specific contract, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, client testimonials, and any documented successes or failures in delivering endpoint security, compliance monitoring, and software assurance. Information on their specific experience with FISMA compliance and authorization support would be particularly relevant.

How does the $17.2 million contract value compare to other VA cybersecurity contracts of similar scope?

The $17.2 million contract value for enterprise-wide endpoint security, compliance monitoring, and software assurance is a significant but not unprecedented figure for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Large federal agencies often award multi-million dollar contracts for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze the VA's historical spending on similar services, considering factors like the number of systems covered, the specific technologies deployed, and the duration of the contract. However, this award falls within a typical range for substantial IT security support contracts aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data within a large federal organization like the VA.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract include potential cybersecurity breaches despite the services provided, vendor performance issues, and the challenge of keeping pace with evolving cyber threats. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance metrics within the contract, clear service level agreements (SLAs), and regular reporting requirements. The firm fixed-price structure aims to mitigate cost overruns. The VA's oversight mechanisms, including program management and potentially Inspector General reviews, also serve as risk mitigation tools. Furthermore, the focus on compliance and authorization support suggests an inherent risk management framework is being applied.

How effective is the current approach to endpoint security and compliance monitoring within the VA, and how will this contract enhance it?

The effectiveness of the VA's current approach to endpoint security and compliance monitoring is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this contract indicates a need for enhanced or sustained support in these critical areas. This contract aims to provide dedicated resources and expertise for monitoring, reporting, authorization, and accreditation, directly supporting FISMA compliance. By focusing on software assurance and source code review, it also addresses proactive vulnerability management. The contract's success will be measured by its ability to improve the security posture, reduce vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance across defined VA systems.

What are the historical spending patterns for endpoint security and compliance services at the VA?

Historical spending patterns for endpoint security and compliance services at the VA are not detailed in the provided data. However, it is reasonable to assume that the VA, as a large federal agency managing vast amounts of sensitive veteran data, has consistently invested in cybersecurity. Spending in this area typically fluctuates based on evolving threats, technological advancements, and regulatory requirements like FISMA. Analyzing past VA IT budgets and specific cybersecurity contract awards over several fiscal years would be necessary to identify trends, such as increasing investment in advanced threat detection or compliance automation tools.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2301 RESEARCH BOULEVARD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,532,514

Exercised Options: $17,223,649

Current Obligation: $17,223,649

Actual Outlays: $11,073,263

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0620Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline