DOT awards $1.99M contract for NHTSA cybersecurity support, highlighting IT infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,985,892 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Lucidus Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-07-31

End Date: 2028-08-01

Contract Duration: 1,462 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NHTSA INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO) SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20590

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.0 million to LUCIDUS SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: NHTSA INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO) SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical cybersecurity functions for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately four years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Focus on IT infrastructure security is paramount given the sensitive data NHTSA handles. 5. The award value is moderate, suggesting a need for cost-effectiveness in service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1.99 million over four years for ISSO support appears reasonable for specialized IT security services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cybersecurity support within federal agencies of comparable size and scope would provide a more precise value assessment. However, given the critical nature of information security, the investment is likely justified to protect sensitive data and systems.

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 bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The agency sought to leverage the broadest possible market to find the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best possible value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), which will receive enhanced cybersecurity support. Services delivered will include information system security officer functions, crucial for protecting sensitive data and IT infrastructure. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where NHTSA is located. This contract supports the federal government's ongoing efforts to maintain robust cybersecurity postures across its agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and difficult to transition.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical security functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield good value.
The contract duration implies a stable need and potential for building long-term expertise.
Focus on cybersecurity is a positive signal for protecting vital government data.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity and information assurance. The market for these services is robust and growing, driven by increasing cyber threats and the federal government's continuous need to protect its digital infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT security support services vary widely based on scope and duration, but this award appears to be within a typical range for specialized support.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to LUCIDUS SOLUTIONS, LLC and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or if there are opportunities for them to participate in future related procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contracting officers and program managers. Performance will be monitored against the terms and conditions outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, and any significant issues or performance concerns could be subject to review by the DOT's Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

NHTSA Information Technology Support
Federal Cybersecurity Services
Department of Transportation IT Contracts
Information System Security Officer Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor personnel lack adequate experience.
Risk of cybersecurity vulnerabilities if support is not consistently robust.
Dependency on a single vendor for critical security functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.0 million to LUCIDUS SOLUTIONS, LLC. NHTSA INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO) SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LUCIDUS SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-31. End: 2028-08-01.

What is the track record of LUCIDUS SOLUTIONS, LLC in providing similar cybersecurity support services to federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that LUCIDUS SOLUTIONS, LLC has a history of performing IT services for various government agencies. To fully assess their track record for this specific Information System Security Officer (ISSO) support, a deeper dive into their past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on similar cybersecurity contracts would be necessary. This would involve examining contract close-out reports, past performance questionnaires, and any publicly available information on their capabilities in areas such as risk management, security assessments, and compliance monitoring within the federal IT landscape.

How does the awarded value compare to market rates for similar ISSO support services?

The awarded value of approximately $1.99 million over roughly four years for ISSO support services at NHTSA needs to be benchmarked against current market rates. This comparison should consider factors such as the specific skill sets required, the level of experience of the personnel, the geographic location (District of Columbia), and the complexity of NHTSA's IT environment. Industry reports and salary surveys for cybersecurity professionals, along with data from similar federal contracts awarded through competitive processes, can provide a basis for comparison. Without specific market data, it's challenging to definitively state if the price is high or low, but the full and open competition suggests an effort to secure competitive pricing.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, cybersecurity breaches due to inadequate support, and the potential for vendor lock-in. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight, clearly defined performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs), regular performance reviews, and contingency planning for contractor failure. The full and open competition process itself can mitigate some risks by ensuring a competitive landscape. The agency's ability to enforce contract terms and potentially transition services if necessary also serves as a risk mitigation factor.

What is the expected effectiveness of the ISSO support services in enhancing NHTSA's overall cybersecurity posture?

The effectiveness of the ISSO support services is expected to be significant, as these roles are critical for implementing and managing an agency's information security program. By providing expertise in areas like security policy development, risk assessments, incident response, and compliance, the contractor should help NHTSA strengthen its defenses against evolving cyber threats. The success will depend on the quality of the personnel provided, the clarity of the SOW, and the agency's active engagement and collaboration with the contractor. A well-executed ISSO function is fundamental to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of NHTSA's information systems.

What has been the historical spending pattern for NHTSA's cybersecurity support services?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for NHTSA's cybersecurity support services would provide context for this $1.99 million award. This would involve examining previous contracts for ISSO or similar IT security functions, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing can indicate trends in the agency's prioritization of cybersecurity and its budget allocation for these critical services. Significant deviations from historical spending could warrant further investigation into the underlying reasons, such as new mandates, increased threats, or changes in service delivery models.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7008 ROCK STREAM CT, BALTIMORE, MD, 21209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,623,644

Exercised Options: $1,985,892

Current Obligation: $1,985,892

Actual Outlays: $1,468,459

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA23D000K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline