HHS awards $8.7M for AHRQ cybersecurity, with Visionary Technology Consultants securing the deal

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,696,614 ($8.7M)

Contractor: Visionary Technology Consultants, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: AHRQ CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FULTON, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20759

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $8.7 million to VISIONARY TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, LLC for work described as: AHRQ CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in safeguarding sensitive health data. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period of two years allows for sustained support in a critical area. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 indicates a focus on broader IT services beyond just cybersecurity. 5. The contract type is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 6. The base contract value is $1.19M, with potential for growth through task orders.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The awarded amount of $8.7 million over two years for cybersecurity and infrastructure support appears reasonable given the critical nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for federal cybersecurity support suggests that pricing for labor hours can vary significantly based on skill sets and experience. Without specific details on the labor mix and hours, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the overall value seems aligned with the scope of protecting health information infrastructure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 10 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this cybersecurity and infrastructure support services contract. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging high-quality service delivery through market forces.

Public Impact

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will benefit from enhanced cybersecurity and infrastructure. Services delivered will focus on protecting sensitive health data and ensuring the integrity of IT systems. The primary geographic impact is within the federal government's health research sector. The contract supports the IT workforce by engaging specialized cybersecurity and technology consultants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'infrastructure support' is broad.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical cybersecurity functions requires robust performance monitoring.
The contract's success hinges on the contractor's ability to adapt to evolving cyber threats.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent process.
The two-year performance period allows for continuity of essential cybersecurity services.
The contractor, Visionary Technology Consultants, LLC, is tasked with a critical mission for AHRQ.

Sector Analysis

The federal cybersecurity market is a rapidly growing sector driven by increasing digital threats and the critical need to protect sensitive data. This contract falls within the broader IT services industry, specifically focusing on specialized cybersecurity and infrastructure support for a healthcare research agency. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area are difficult to pinpoint without more granular data, but federal agencies consistently allocate significant resources to cybersecurity to meet regulatory requirements and mitigate risks.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Visionary Technology Consultants, LLC, a company whose size is not specified in the provided data, means that opportunities for small business participation may be limited unless they are part of a larger subcontracting plan not detailed here. Further investigation into the contractor's size and subcontracting practices would be needed to assess the full impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures will be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to specific deliverables and service levels. Transparency is facilitated through the federal procurement data system, where contract awards are publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

HHS Cybersecurity Initiatives
Federal Health IT Modernization
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) IT Services
Cybersecurity Support Services
IT Infrastructure Management

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope in 'infrastructure support'.
Reliance on contractor for critical cybersecurity functions.
Evolving nature of cyber threats requires continuous adaptation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $8.7 million to VISIONARY TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, LLC. AHRQ CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VISIONARY TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific breakdown of services to be provided under 'Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Support'?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'AHRQ CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT' under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). While the general categories are cybersecurity and infrastructure, the specific breakdown of services is not detailed in the summary data. Typically, such contracts would encompass areas like network security, vulnerability assessments, threat intelligence, incident response, data protection, system patching, hardware/software maintenance, and potentially cloud infrastructure management. A detailed review of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) associated with this delivery order would be necessary to ascertain the precise scope of services.

How does the awarded amount compare to historical spending by AHRQ on similar cybersecurity services?

Historical spending data for AHRQ's cybersecurity services is not provided in the summary. However, the awarded amount of $8.7 million over two years suggests a significant and ongoing investment in this area. To conduct a proper comparison, one would need to access AHRQ's historical contract databases or budget reports to identify previous contracts for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. This would allow for an assessment of whether the current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in cybersecurity capabilities for the agency.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that Visionary Technology Consultants, LLC must meet?

The provided summary data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Visionary Technology Consultants, LLC. These KPIs are critical for measuring the contractor's performance and ensuring the successful delivery of cybersecurity and infrastructure support. They are typically detailed within the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). Common KPIs in cybersecurity contracts include metrics related to response times for security incidents, vulnerability remediation rates, system uptime, successful completion of security audits, and adherence to security protocols. The government contracting officer would monitor these KPIs to ensure contract compliance and value.

What is the risk profile associated with Visionary Technology Consultants, LLC based on past performance?

The provided summary data does not include information on the past performance or risk profile of Visionary Technology Consultants, LLC. Assessing a contractor's risk profile typically involves reviewing their performance history on previous contracts, including any past issues with quality, timeliness, cost control, or compliance. This information is often available through sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). Without access to such data, it is not possible to evaluate the specific risks associated with this contractor for the AHRQ cybersecurity contract.

What is the potential for this contract to be extended or renewed beyond the current period?

The current award is a delivery order with an end date of September 29, 2026, and a duration of 729 days. The summary data does not explicitly state whether options for extension or renewal exist within this delivery order or its parent IDIQ contract. Federal contracts often include options for extension to ensure continuity of services. If this delivery order is part of a larger IDIQ contract, that parent contract may have options. However, without details on the specific contract vehicle, it's impossible to determine the likelihood or terms of any potential extensions beyond the stated end date.

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: 10

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8161 MAPLE LAWN BLVD STE 430, FULTON, MD, 20759

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,174,329

Exercised Options: $8,696,614

Current Obligation: $8,696,614

Actual Outlays: $6,502,930

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA18D00FL

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline