NIH awards $5.6M for Information Security Program support to TriplePoint DSG Joint Venture LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,598,704 ($5.6M)

Contractor: Triplepoint DSG Joint Venture LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-01-04

End Date: 2026-03-20

Contract Duration: 806 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SUPPORT FOR THE INFORMATION SECURITY PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: LEESBURG, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20176

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5.6 million to TRIPLEPOINT DSG JOINT VENTURE LLC for work described as: SUPPORT FOR THE INFORMATION SECURITY PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of IT support services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately 2.7 years provides a stable period for service delivery. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. This contract supports critical information security functions within the NIH. 6. The contractor, TriplePoint DSG Joint Venture LLC, is a new entity for this specific contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.6 million over approximately 2.7 years for IT security support services appears to be within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for information security program support at agencies like NIH or other health-related entities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set price, which can be advantageous if the contractor manages costs effectively. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the initial indications are positive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and multiple bids were likely considered. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and allows for a wide range of potential contractors to compete. The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator of a robust and fair bidding process, aiming to secure the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a competitive environment, which typically leads to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors, ultimately maximizing the return on investment for public funds.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from enhanced information security, protecting sensitive health data and research. Services delivered include crucial support for the agency's information security program. The geographic impact is primarily within the NIH's operational locations, likely in Maryland and other research facilities. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized IT security roles to be filled by the contractor's personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed solely by the contractor.
Reliance on a joint venture may introduce complexities in management and accountability.
Ensuring consistent service quality throughout the contract duration requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a strong initial selection process.
The firm-fixed-price contract type incentivizes contractor efficiency and cost control.
The contract supports a critical function (information security) vital to NIH operations.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology (IT) sector, particularly cybersecurity services, is a rapidly growing and critical area for federal agencies. The market for IT support and security programs is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized services. This contract fits within the broader category of IT professional services, specifically focusing on the design and implementation of computer systems and security measures. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT security support contracts within federal health agencies can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'ss' being false and 'sb' being false. The procurement utilized full and open competition, which typically involves larger prime contractors. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award appears minimal, although larger prime contractors may engage small businesses in their supply chains.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract means that performance monitoring is key to ensuring deliverables are met. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Information Security Program Support
IT Professional Services
Cybersecurity Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services

Risk Flags

Contractor performance history needs further review.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Dependence on a joint venture structure may introduce management complexities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.6 million to TRIPLEPOINT DSG JOINT VENTURE LLC. SUPPORT FOR THE INFORMATION SECURITY PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRIPLEPOINT DSG JOINT VENTURE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-04. End: 2026-03-20.

What is the track record of TriplePoint DSG Joint Venture LLC in performing similar federal IT security contracts?

As TriplePoint DSG Joint Venture LLC is listed as the contractor for this specific delivery order, and given the 'new entity' context often associated with joint ventures for specific bids, their direct historical track record as this specific entity may be limited. However, the performance of the individual companies forming the joint venture would be a more relevant indicator of capability. A deeper dive into the past performance of the parent companies or key personnel involved in the joint venture would be necessary to assess their experience in delivering similar information security program support services to federal agencies. Without this granular data, assessing their specific track record is challenging.

How does the awarded value of $5.6 million compare to similar IT security support contracts at NIH or other federal health agencies?

The awarded value of $5.6 million for approximately 2.7 years of support for an Information Security Program is within a plausible range for federal IT services. Benchmarking requires comparing this contract to others with similar scopes of work, service levels, and durations within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or other agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Factors such as the specific security domains covered (e.g., network security, data protection, compliance), the number of users supported, and the complexity of the IT environment significantly influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests this value is not exceptionally high or low, but a detailed comparison with anonymized contract data would be needed for a definitive conclusion.

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

Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, scope creep, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the systems supported. Mitigation strategies involve the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and performance effectively. The government's mitigation strategy also relies heavily on robust contract oversight, including regular performance reviews, adherence to defined service level agreements (SLAs), and clear communication channels. The 'full and open competition' procurement method also mitigates risk by selecting a vendor presumed to be capable and competitive. Cybersecurity risks are inherent but are managed through established government security protocols and the contractor's adherence to them.

How effective is the chosen procurement method (Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources) in ensuring value for money for this specific IT security service?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method is generally considered effective in promoting value for money. By allowing all responsible sources to submit offers, it maximizes the pool of potential bidders, thereby increasing competition. This increased competition typically drives down prices and encourages innovation as contractors vie for the award. The 'after exclusion of sources' aspect suggests that certain specific sources might have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria, but the core principle of broad competition remains. For IT security services, where specialized expertise is crucial, this method helps identify technically capable vendors at competitive price points, aligning well with the goal of achieving good value.

What are the historical spending patterns for Information Security Program support at NIH, and how does this award fit within them?

Historical spending patterns for Information Security Program support at NIH would reveal the agency's consistent investment in cybersecurity. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services over the last 5-10 years would show trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured. This $5.6 million award for a ~2.7-year period fits within the typical range for significant IT security support contracts. If NIH's historical spending shows a steady or increasing need for such services, this award reflects a continued commitment to maintaining robust information security infrastructure, which is essential given the sensitive nature of health data.

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 161 FORT EVANS ROAD NE SUITE 325, LEESBURG, VA, 20176

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,254,773

Exercised Options: $5,598,704

Current Obligation: $5,598,704

Actual Outlays: $3,404,241

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB21D0399

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline