CBP awards $3M for privileged user access licenses and F5 maintenance to Greenbrier Government Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,013,809 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Greenbrier Government Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 759 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY PRIVILEGED USER ACCESS (PUA) LICENSES AND F5 MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: ASHBURN, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20147

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.0 million to GREENBRIER GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY PRIVILEGED USER ACCESS (PUA) LICENSES AND F5 MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment in critical IT infrastructure for border security. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these services. 3. The duration of the contract (759 days) indicates a need for sustained support and maintenance. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 5. This contract supports the operational continuity of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's IT systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3 million for privileged user access licenses and F5 maintenance appears reasonable given the critical nature of IT infrastructure for a large federal agency like CBP. Benchmarking against similar contracts for enterprise-level IT support and licensing is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services and the exact F5 products covered. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The award to Greenbrier Government Solutions Inc. warrants further investigation into their past performance and pricing competitiveness within the federal IT market.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a degree of competition, though the exact number of interested parties and the rigor of the evaluation process are not detailed. A competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value. The specific details of the bidding process would provide further insight into the level of competition achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment among vendors, driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Benefits U.S. Customs and Border Protection by ensuring secure and reliable access to critical systems. Supports the maintenance and functionality of F5 network devices, essential for network security and performance. Ensures the continuity of operations for border security and trade facilitation activities. Impacts the IT workforce within CBP by providing the necessary tools and licenses for system administration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if F5 products become deeply integrated into CBP's infrastructure.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security and access licenses could pose a risk if the vendor faces operational issues.

Positive Signals

The use of a fixed-price contract helps to control and predict costs for the government.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a deliberate effort to seek competitive pricing and solutions.
The contract duration allows for stable support and maintenance of essential IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on software licensing and maintenance for network security and access control. The market for enterprise IT solutions, including F5 products and privileged user access management, is robust, with numerous established vendors. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to secure sensitive data and maintain operational continuity across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large federal contracts for similar IT infrastructure support and licensing agreements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best solution and price from the broader market. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Greenbrier Government Solutions Inc. has its own small business subcontracting plan that is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's contracting and program management offices within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified goods and services at an agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though specific performance metrics and detailed oversight reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance
Network Security and Access Control Systems
Enterprise Software Licensing and Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with proprietary F5 solutions.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure support.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.0 million to GREENBRIER GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC. U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY PRIVILEGED USER ACCESS (PUA) LICENSES AND F5 MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GREENBRIER GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific scope of 'Privileged User Access (PUA) Licenses' and the exact F5 products covered under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Privileged User Access (PUA) Licenses and F5 Maintenance.' PUA licenses typically refer to software that controls and monitors access for users with elevated permissions within an IT system, crucial for security and auditing. F5 maintenance generally covers support, updates, and patches for F5 Networks' hardware and software products, which are widely used for application delivery, network security, and load balancing. Without the full contract details, the exact number and type of PUA licenses, as well as the specific F5 hardware models and software versions covered (e.g., BIG-IP, Application Security Manager, Local Traffic Manager), remain unspecified. This level of detail is important for a comprehensive value assessment.

How does the awarded price of $3,013,809.29 compare to market rates for similar F5 maintenance and PUA licenses?

Benchmarking the $3,013,809.29 award against market rates requires detailed knowledge of the specific F5 products and the quantity and type of PUA licenses procured. F5 products range from high-end application delivery controllers to security modules, each with different pricing structures. Similarly, PUA solutions vary significantly in cost based on features like session recording, credential vaulting, and reporting capabilities. A direct comparison would necessitate obtaining quotes from other vendors for equivalent F5 maintenance agreements and PUA solutions, considering factors like contract duration, support levels (e.g., 24/7 vs. business hours), and included services. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, the government likely sought competitive bids to ensure value.

What is Greenbrier Government Solutions Inc.'s track record with similar federal IT contracts, particularly those involving F5 products or privileged access management?

Greenbrier Government Solutions Inc. has a history of performing federal IT contracts. To assess their track record for this specific award, a review of their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would be necessary. This would reveal their performance on previous contracts, including timeliness, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms. Information on their specific experience with F5 products and PUA solutions, especially for large agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, would be crucial. Their success in similar competitive procurements would also indicate their capability and pricing competitiveness in this specialized IT domain.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on Greenbrier Government Solutions Inc. for critical IT infrastructure support?

Potential risks associated with relying on Greenbrier Government Solutions Inc. for this contract include performance issues, such as delays in service delivery or failure to meet technical specifications, which could impact CBP's operational continuity. Financial instability of the contractor, though less likely for established firms, could also pose a risk. Furthermore, if the contract involves proprietary F5 configurations or unique PUA implementations, there could be challenges in transitioning to a different vendor if necessary. The firm-fixed-price nature mitigates some financial risk for the government, but performance failures could still lead to disruptions and potential costs associated with remediation.

How does this contract align with broader trends in federal IT spending and cybersecurity initiatives?

This contract aligns with significant federal IT spending trends focused on enhancing cybersecurity and modernizing infrastructure. The procurement of PUA licenses directly addresses the growing need for robust access controls and auditing capabilities to prevent unauthorized access and insider threats, a key focus of federal cybersecurity initiatives. Maintenance for F5 products supports network security and application availability, essential components of a secure IT infrastructure. The overall investment reflects the government's ongoing commitment to protecting critical systems and data against evolving cyber threats, as emphasized in various federal cybersecurity strategies and mandates.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

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: 220 KOPPERSTON RD, OCEANA, WV, 24870

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,815,994

Exercised Options: $3,815,994

Current Obligation: $3,013,809

Actual Outlays: $2,897,917

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD49B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline