DHS Awards $6.86M Cybersecurity Competition Contract to OPS TECH ALLIANCE for Computer Systems Design

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,858,026 ($6.9M)

Contractor: OPS Tech Alliance, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-09-12

End Date: 2026-09-11

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: PRESIDENTS CUP CYBERSECURITY COMPETITION.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $6.9 million to OPS TECH ALLIANCE, LLC for work described as: PRESIDENTS CUP CYBERSECURITY COMPETITION. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to OPS TECH ALLIANCE, LLC for cybersecurity competition. 2. The contract is for Computer Systems Design Services. 3. Awarded by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations. 4. Significant value of $6.86 million over a 2-year period. 5. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.86M for 729 labor hours over two years suggests a competitive pricing structure. Benchmarking against similar DHS cybersecurity contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: $9,407 (estimated per labor hour)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates a limited competition, potentially impacting price discovery. While open, the exclusion of specific sources may have restricted the bidder pool.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process, though the limited nature of the competition warrants scrutiny to ensure optimal value for public funds.

Public Impact

Enhances national cybersecurity capabilities through specialized competition. Supports the Department of Homeland Security's mission to protect critical infrastructure. Provides advanced computer systems design services for complex cyber challenges. Potential for technology transfer and innovation in the cybersecurity sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may not yield the best price.
Exclusion of sources needs clear justification.
Cybersecurity is a high-stakes, evolving field.

Positive Signals

Focus on critical cybersecurity competition.
Award to a specific LLC suggests specialized expertise.
DHS oversight ensures alignment with national security goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and professional services sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. Spending in this area is crucial for government cybersecurity and modernization efforts, with benchmarks varying widely based on service complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis is needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations is responsible for this award. Oversight will focus on contract performance, adherence to competition rules, and effective utilization of funds for cybersecurity objectives.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Office of Procurement Operations Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises value concerns.
Justification for source exclusion is unclear.
Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical services.
Potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $6.9 million to OPS TECH ALLIANCE, LLC. PRESIDENTS CUP CYBERSECURITY COMPETITION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OPS TECH ALLIANCE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-12. End: 2026-09-11.

What specific cybersecurity capabilities does OPS TECH ALLIANCE, LLC bring to this competition?

The provided data does not detail the specific cybersecurity capabilities of OPS TECH ALLIANCE, LLC. Further investigation into the company's past performance, certifications, and the technical requirements of the contract would be necessary to assess their specialized expertise and suitability for this critical cybersecurity competition.

How does the 'Exclusion of Sources' clause impact the overall risk and value of this contract?

The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause inherently limits competition, potentially increasing risk by reducing the pool of qualified bidders and possibly leading to higher prices than a fully open competition. The value is impacted if the excluded sources could have offered superior solutions or better pricing. Justification for exclusion is critical to mitigate risk.

What is the expected effectiveness of this cybersecurity competition in improving DHS's cyber defenses?

The effectiveness hinges on the quality of services delivered by OPS TECH ALLIANCE, LLC and the specific cybersecurity challenges addressed. A well-executed competition should yield advanced solutions and strengthen DHS's defenses. Measuring effectiveness requires tracking performance metrics, incident response improvements, and threat mitigation success post-contract.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 CLEVELAND ST., CLEARWATER, FL, 33755

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,685,310

Exercised Options: $6,858,026

Current Obligation: $6,858,026

Actual Outlays: $2,758,481

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB22D0129

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline