DHS awards $8.8M IT security contract to Trilogy Secured Services, facing limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,838,409 ($8.8M)

Contractor: Trilogy Secured Services, L.L.C

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $8.8 million to TRILOGY SECURED SERVICES, L.L.C for work described as: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of IT security support. 2. Limited competition may have impacted price discovery and potentially increased costs. 3. Performance risk is moderate, with reliance on a single contractor for critical services. 4. This contract supports essential cybersecurity functions for the TSA. 5. The IT security sector is highly competitive, making limited competition notable.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.8 million over three years for IT security support services seems within a reasonable range for a federal agency like DHS. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cybersecurity support indicates that this pricing is competitive, especially considering the specialized nature of the services. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns, but the limited competition aspect warrants attention for future procurements to ensure optimal value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which suggests that while a broad solicitation may have occurred, specific sources were excluded, leading to limited competition. With only 6 bidders, the level of competition was not as robust as typically seen in full and open scenarios. This limited pool could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing from bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can mean taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible prices that a wider bidding process might have generated.

Public Impact

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) benefits from enhanced IT security. Services include critical support for computer systems and network security. The geographic impact is primarily within the TSA's operational areas. Workforce implications include specialized IT security roles being filled.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security services poses a risk.
The specific reasons for excluding sources in the competition are not detailed.

Positive Signals

The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty.
The contractor, Trilogy Secured Services, is awarded a significant contract, indicating trust in their capabilities.
The duration of the contract allows for stable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The IT security sector is a rapidly growing and critical area within the federal government, driven by increasing cyber threats. Spending in this sector is substantial, with agencies like DHS allocating significant resources to protect sensitive data and infrastructure. This contract for computer systems design services fits within the broader IT services market, which is characterized by specialized firms offering a range of solutions from network management to advanced cybersecurity. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT security support services can vary widely based on scope and duration, but an $8.8 million award over three years is a notable investment.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'sb: false'. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, unless Trilogy Secured Services voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's procurement and program management offices, with potential involvement from the TSA's contracting officer and relevant program managers. Inspector General oversight is standard for federal contracts, ensuring accountability and investigating potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Cybersecurity Services
IT Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Homeland Security IT Contracts
Transportation Security Administration Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for higher costs due to limited bidders
Reliance on a single vendor for critical services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $8.8 million to TRILOGY SECURED SERVICES, L.L.C. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRILOGY SECURED SERVICES, L.L.C.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What is Trilogy Secured Services' track record with federal contracts, particularly within DHS?

Trilogy Secured Services, L.L.C. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those with the Department of Homeland Security. While the provided data does not detail their entire contract history, the award of this $8.8 million contract suggests a level of established performance and capability recognized by the TSA. Further analysis of their past performance ratings, contract modifications, and any past performance issues would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record. Examining their previous work within DHS, especially on similar IT security or computer systems design services, would offer valuable context for assessing their reliability and expertise in fulfilling this current requirement.

How does the $8.8 million contract value compare to similar IT security support services procured by the TSA or DHS in the past?

The $8.8 million contract value for IT security support services over three years represents a significant investment by the TSA. To benchmark this value effectively, a comparison with similar contracts awarded by DHS or TSA for comparable services (e.g., cybersecurity, network security, computer systems design) within the last 2-3 years is necessary. Factors such as contract duration, scope of work, number of end-users supported, and specific security requirements (e.g., compliance levels, threat intelligence integration) must be considered. Without direct comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if this is high or low, but the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to control costs. The limited competition aspect, however, raises questions about whether the most competitive pricing was achieved.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential vendor lock-in due to limited competition, the risk of service disruption if Trilogy Secured Services underperforms or faces financial instability, and the inherent cybersecurity risks that necessitate such a contract. Mitigation strategies may include robust performance monitoring by the TSA, clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs) within the contract, and contingency planning for service continuity. The firm-fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost overrun risks. However, the limited competition aspect itself presents a risk to achieving optimal value for taxpayer money, which might be addressed through more aggressive market research and competition strategies in future procurements.

How effective is the current IT security support likely to be, given the contract's structure and competition level?

The effectiveness of the IT security support hinges on several factors. The contract's firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, which is beneficial. However, the limited competition (6 bidders) suggests that the TSA may not have received the most competitive pricing or the widest array of innovative solutions that a more robust competition could have yielded. The effectiveness will ultimately depend on the quality of services delivered by Trilogy Secured Services, adherence to SLAs, and the TSA's own oversight and management of the contract. While the award indicates confidence in the contractor, the competitive landscape warrants careful monitoring of performance outcomes.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT security support services within the TSA or DHS?

Historical spending patterns for IT security support services within the TSA and DHS have generally shown a consistent and increasing trend over the years, reflecting the growing importance of cybersecurity. Agencies like DHS are major spenders in this domain due to the critical nature of their missions and the vast amount of sensitive data they handle. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services, including their values, durations, and competitive landscapes, would reveal trends in how these needs are met. This $8.8 million award should be viewed within the context of this broader spending trajectory, considering factors like inflation, evolving threat landscapes, and technological advancements that drive demand and cost.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5513 KATHLEEN PL, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,399,353

Exercised Options: $8,838,409

Current Obligation: $8,838,409

Actual Outlays: $4,356,135

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB21D0116

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline