HHS awards $7.2M task order for cybersecurity engineering to Copper River Cyber Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,194,443 ($7.2M)

Contractor: Copper River Cyber Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-01-17

End Date: 2027-01-15

Contract Duration: 728 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: CYBERSECURITY ENGINEERING SERVICES TASK ORDER UNDER CYBERSECURITY CAPABILITIES PROJECTS IDIQ

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $7.2 million to COPPER RIVER CYBER SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: CYBERSECURITY ENGINEERING SERVICES TASK ORDER UNDER CYBERSECURITY CAPABILITIES PROJECTS IDIQ Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the scope of cybersecurity engineering services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with performance dependent on contractor expertise and government oversight. 4. This contract supports critical FDA cybersecurity infrastructure, aligning with national health priorities. 5. The IT services sector is highly dynamic, requiring continuous adaptation and robust security measures. 6. The contract duration of two years provides a stable period for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.2 million over two years for cybersecurity engineering services seems aligned with market rates for specialized IT support. Benchmarking against similar task orders for cybersecurity engineering within the federal government suggests this award is within a competitive range. The pricing structure, likely based on labor hours, allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-efficiency and prevent scope creep. The specific services required are crucial for protecting sensitive health data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific mechanism, 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' suggests that while initially there might have been considerations for other sources, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ultimately benefiting the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation among bidders.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which will receive enhanced cybersecurity engineering support. The services delivered will bolster the security of critical IT systems and sensitive health data managed by the FDA. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the FDA, likely concentrated in Maryland where the contractor is based. The contract supports a specialized workforce of cybersecurity engineers, contributing to the IT sector's skilled labor pool.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not managed effectively.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical security functions.
Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving cybersecurity threats and FDA requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.
Contractor has experience in cybersecurity, as implied by their name and the nature of the award.
Clear task order structure under an existing IDIQ contract provides a framework for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity engineering. The federal cybersecurity market is substantial and growing, driven by increasing digital threats and the need to protect sensitive government data. This task order represents a small but vital component of the government's overall cybersecurity spending, contributing to the operational resilience of the FDA. Comparable spending benchmarks for cybersecurity engineering services vary widely based on complexity and duration, but this award appears to be within a typical range for specialized support.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Copper River Cyber Solutions, LLC, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. The data does not specify subcontracting requirements. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Copper River Cyber Solutions utilizes small business subcontractors, which is not detailed in the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order will likely be managed by the FDA's contracting officers and technical points of contact. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

HHS Cybersecurity Program
FDA IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Cybersecurity Strategy
Cybersecurity Capabilities Projects IDIQ

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Reliance on contractor expertise
Evolving threat landscape

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $7.2 million to COPPER RIVER CYBER SOLUTIONS, LLC. CYBERSECURITY ENGINEERING SERVICES TASK ORDER UNDER CYBERSECURITY CAPABILITIES PROJECTS IDIQ

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COPPER RIVER CYBER SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-17. End: 2027-01-15.

What is the track record of Copper River Cyber Solutions, LLC in performing similar cybersecurity engineering services for federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of Copper River Cyber Solutions, LLC in performing similar cybersecurity engineering services for federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this task order under a competitive process suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and capabilities deemed sufficient by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Further investigation into their past performance on similar contracts, potentially through sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or contractor performance assessment reports (CPARS), would be necessary for a comprehensive understanding of their track record. The nature of the award implies they met the technical and cost requirements set forth in the solicitation for this specific task order.

How does the awarded amount of $7.2 million compare to other cybersecurity engineering task orders of similar scope and duration within HHS or other agencies?

The awarded amount of $7.2 million over a 2-year period for cybersecurity engineering services appears to be within a reasonable range when compared to similar federal contracts. Cybersecurity engineering is a specialized field requiring highly skilled personnel, and costs can vary significantly based on the complexity of the systems, the specific services required (e.g., threat analysis, vulnerability assessment, system hardening, incident response planning), and the labor rates in the relevant geographic areas. Without specific details on the exact scope of work and the labor categories involved, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, general market analysis for federal IT services, particularly in specialized areas like cybersecurity, indicates that multi-million dollar awards for multi-year engagements are common. The 'full and open competition' aspect suggests that this price was deemed competitive among multiple bidders.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns due to the labor-hour pricing model if not managed diligently, contractor performance issues if the team lacks the requisite expertise or fails to adapt to evolving threats, and security breaches if vulnerabilities are not adequately addressed. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust government oversight by the FDA's contracting officer's representative (COR) and technical team, regular performance reviews, clear definition and monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs), and adherence to strict security protocols and reporting requirements. The competitive nature of the award also serves as a risk mitigation factor, as the government selected a contractor based on demonstrated capabilities and competitive pricing.

How effective is the current cybersecurity posture of the FDA, and how will this contract contribute to its improvement?

The effectiveness of the FDA's current cybersecurity posture is a complex assessment that goes beyond the scope of this single contract. However, this task order is clearly intended to enhance that posture by providing specialized cybersecurity engineering services. These services likely focus on proactive measures such as identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities, strengthening system defenses, and improving threat detection and response capabilities. By engaging Copper River Cyber Solutions, the FDA aims to bolster its defenses against the ever-increasing landscape of cyber threats, thereby protecting sensitive public health data and ensuring the continuity of its critical operations. The contribution will be measured by the successful implementation of engineering solutions and the subsequent reduction in identified risks.

What has been the historical spending trend for cybersecurity engineering services at the FDA or HHS over the past five years?

Historical spending trends for cybersecurity engineering services at the FDA or HHS over the past five years would require access to detailed historical procurement data. Generally, federal spending on cybersecurity has seen a consistent upward trend across all agencies due to the escalating threat landscape and the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure. The FDA, as a critical health agency, would likely mirror this trend, with dedicated funding allocated to bolster its cybersecurity capabilities. Analyzing specific contract awards, task orders, and IDIQ vehicles related to cybersecurity engineering within these agencies would reveal the magnitude and growth of this spending. This $7.2 million task order represents a portion of that ongoing investment.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 75F40125Q00068

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 721 DEPOT DR, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99501

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,067,905

Exercised Options: $7,194,443

Current Obligation: $7,194,443

Actual Outlays: $3,494,211

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75F40120D00030

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline