NASA awards $2.4M cybersecurity support BPA call order to Bryce Space and Technology, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,428,143 ($2.4M)
Contractor: Bryce Space and Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-05-01
End Date: 2026-04-30
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: BPA CALL ORDER 2 UNDER CMSS SUPPORT SERVICES MULTIPLE AWARD BPAS FOR CMSS CYBERSECURITY POLICY.
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.4 million to BRYCE SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: BPA CALL ORDER 2 UNDER CMSS SUPPORT SERVICES MULTIPLE AWARD BPAS FOR CMSS CYBERSECURITY POLICY. Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.4M for cybersecurity policy support represents a moderate investment in a critical IT security function. 2. The contract was awarded under a Multiple Award BPA, suggesting a pre-competed framework for similar services. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictable spending for the agency. 4. The duration of 729 days (2 years) indicates a medium-term need for these specialized services. 5. The award to a single contractor, Bryce Space and Technology, LLC, warrants a review of the competition dynamics within the BPA.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.4M for two years of cybersecurity policy support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts within NASA or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive assessment of exceptional value is difficult, but the award seems aligned with typical IT service contract expenditures.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a Full and Open Competition, indicating that all eligible responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that it's a call order under a Multiple Award BPA suggests that the initial BPA itself underwent full and open competition, and this specific call order likely involved a competitive process among the BPA holders. The presence of 6 bidders for this call order suggests a healthy level of competition for this specific task.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, coupled with multiple bidders, is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives competitive pricing and encourages a wider pool of contractors to vie for government work, potentially leading to better value.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA, which will receive enhanced cybersecurity policy support to protect its systems and data. The services delivered will focus on policy development, implementation, and potentially compliance related to cybersecurity. The geographic impact is likely centered around NASA's operational centers, particularly where cybersecurity policy is managed. The contract supports specialized IT roles, potentially impacting cybersecurity analysts and policy experts within the contractor's organization.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if the BPA is not actively re-competed or if this contractor becomes indispensable.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical cybersecurity policy could pose a risk if performance degrades or if the contractor faces financial instability.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under a full and open competition framework, ensuring a broad base of potential offerors.
- The use of a Multiple Award BPA suggests a strategic approach to procuring recurring services efficiently.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contract is for cybersecurity policy, a critical area for government operations and data protection.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity services. The market for cybersecurity consulting and policy development is robust and growing, driven by increasing cyber threats and regulatory requirements. NASA, as a major government agency, requires significant investment in cybersecurity to protect its sensitive data and infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal agencies' IT security support contracts, which often range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed in this award notice. Without specific subcontracting plans or goals, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, the presence of multiple bidders in the initial competition for the BPA could have included small businesses, offering them a chance to participate.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the NASA contracting officer and program managers responsible for cybersecurity policy. As a call order under a BPA, the underlying BPA likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected related to the contract's execution or performance.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Cybersecurity Program
- Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) Compliance
- General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule Contracts
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity Initiatives
Risk Flags
- Contract awarded under a BPA call order; assess competition among BPA holders.
- Review contractor's past performance specifically on cybersecurity policy contracts.
- Verify alignment of contract scope with NASA's current cybersecurity strategic priorities.
- Assess potential for future task orders and overall BPA utilization.
Tags
it-services, cybersecurity, policy-development, nasa, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, multiple-award-bpa, administrative-management-and-general-management-consulting-services, bryce-space-and-technology-llc, virginia, bpa-call-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.4 million to BRYCE SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY, LLC. BPA CALL ORDER 2 UNDER CMSS SUPPORT SERVICES MULTIPLE AWARD BPAS FOR CMSS CYBERSECURITY POLICY.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BRYCE SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2026-04-30.
What is Bryce Space and Technology, LLC's track record with federal cybersecurity contracts?
Bryce Space and Technology, LLC has a history of supporting government agencies, including NASA, with various technical and analytical services. While specific details on their cybersecurity contract performance are not provided in this summary, their past work often involves research, development, and technical consulting. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any relevant certifications (e.g., ISO 27001) would be necessary to fully assess their cybersecurity expertise and reliability. Reviewing federal procurement databases and agency performance reports could reveal their success rates and any past issues on similar contracts.
How does the $2.4M contract value compare to similar cybersecurity policy support contracts awarded by NASA or other agencies?
The $2.4M contract value for two years of cybersecurity policy support is within a typical range for specialized IT services provided to federal agencies. For context, similar contracts for IT policy, compliance, or cybersecurity consulting can range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars annually, depending on the agency's size, the complexity of its systems, and the scope of work. NASA, being a large agency with significant technological infrastructure, often engages in contracts of this magnitude for critical support functions. Benchmarking against contracts for similar services like risk management framework implementation or security control assessments would provide a more direct comparison.
What are the key risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential underperformance by the contractor, scope creep leading to cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price), and reliance on a single vendor for critical policy functions. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by NASA program managers, clearly defined deliverables and service level agreements within the BPA call order, and the competitive nature of the initial BPA award which selected multiple capable vendors. The firm-fixed-price structure inherently limits cost overrun risk for the government. NASA's standard contract management processes and potential use of award-term incentives could further mitigate risks.
How effective is the Multiple Award BPA (MABP) structure in ensuring value for money for cybersecurity services?
The Multiple Award BPA (MABP) structure is generally effective in ensuring value for money for recurring services like cybersecurity support. It allows agencies to pre-qualify multiple vendors through an initial full and open competition, establishing pre-negotiated terms and pricing. Task orders (call orders) placed under the BPA can then be competed among the BPA holders, fostering ongoing price competition for specific needs. This approach reduces the administrative burden of full and open competition for each individual requirement and leverages the collective capabilities and pricing of multiple awardees, driving better overall value compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.
What is the historical spending trend for cybersecurity policy support services at NASA?
Historical spending trends for cybersecurity policy support services at NASA would require analyzing past contract awards over several fiscal years. Generally, federal spending on cybersecurity has been on an upward trajectory due to increasing threats and evolving regulatory landscapes. NASA, like other agencies, has likely seen consistent or increasing investment in this area. Analyzing specific contract vehicles, such as previous BPAs or individual contracts for policy development, risk assessment, and compliance, would reveal the specific growth pattern and total investment in this domain over time.
What are the implications of this contract being a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) award?
A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) award means the contractor, Bryce Space and Technology, LLC, is obligated to complete the work for a predetermined price, regardless of the actual costs incurred. This structure places the primary risk of cost overruns on the contractor, which is beneficial for the government in terms of cost certainty. It incentivizes the contractor to manage its costs efficiently and perform the work within the agreed budget. For the government, FFP contracts are generally preferred for services where the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly, as it provides the most predictable financial outcome.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1737 KING ST STE 601, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,051,503
Exercised Options: $2,441,675
Current Obligation: $2,428,143
Actual Outlays: $1,929,382
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $664,752
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80NSSC24AA010
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-30
Potential End Date: 2026-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-21
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