CMS Cybersecurity Center Operations Contract Awarded to Iron Vine Security for $102M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $102,063,427 ($102.1M)

Contractor: Iron Vine Security LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-03-15

End Date: 2027-03-14

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $93.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CMS CYBERSECURITY INTEGRATION CENTER OPERATIONS (CCICOPS)

Place of Performance

Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $102.1 million to IRON VINE SECURITY LLC for work described as: CMS CYBERSECURITY INTEGRATION CENTER OPERATIONS (CCICOPS) Key points: 1. Contract value of $102M over 3 years. 2. Awarded via full and open competition. 3. Potential risk in reliance on a single vendor for critical cybersecurity. 4. Sector: IT Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $102M for 3 years appears reasonable for comprehensive cybersecurity operations. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT service contracts for federal agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges, though specific service scope is key.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential cybersecurity services.

Public Impact

Ensures critical cybersecurity operations for CMS, protecting sensitive health data. Supports the ongoing security of Medicare and Medicaid systems. Potential impact on the cybersecurity landscape for federal health agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10

Warning Flags

Vendor lock-in potential
Reliance on single vendor for critical infrastructure

Positive Signals

Competitive award process
Clear contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity operations for a major federal health agency. Spending benchmarks for similar cybersecurity contracts often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the awardee, Iron Vine Security LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in this context. This suggests larger, established firms are competing in this space.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a key agency within HHS. Oversight will focus on performance, security compliance, and adherence to contract terms to ensure effective cybersecurity.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs

Risk Flags

Vendor lock-in
Reliance on a single provider for critical infrastructure
Potential for scope creep impacting budget
Cybersecurity threats evolving rapidly

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $102.1 million to IRON VINE SECURITY LLC. CMS CYBERSECURITY INTEGRATION CENTER OPERATIONS (CCICOPS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IRON VINE SECURITY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $102.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-15. End: 2027-03-14.

What specific cybersecurity services are included in this $102M contract, and how do they align with CMS's evolving threat landscape?

The contract likely encompasses a broad range of services including threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management, security monitoring, and potentially security architecture and engineering. Alignment with CMS's evolving threat landscape would depend on the contract's flexibility for adapting to new threats and technologies, and the vendor's proactive threat intelligence capabilities.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for Iron Vine Security, and how will their performance be measured to ensure effective cybersecurity operations?

Key performance indicators would typically include metrics such as response times to security incidents, the number of vulnerabilities identified and remediated, system uptime for security tools, and compliance with security policies. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reporting, audits, and potentially service level agreements (SLAs) with defined penalties or incentives.

Given the critical nature of CMS data, what contingency plans are in place should Iron Vine Security fail to meet its contractual obligations or experience a security breach?

Contingency plans would likely involve pre-defined escalation procedures, potential for rapid transition to an alternative vendor or in-house capabilities, and contractual clauses addressing breach notification and remediation. The government would also have mechanisms for contract termination and seeking damages if obligations are not met.

Industry Classification

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1400 I STREET NW, SUITE 925, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $189,235,674

Exercised Options: $106,742,026

Current Obligation: $102,063,427

Actual Outlays: $53,019,308

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00HF

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline