NASA awards $5.18M contract for code security services to CodeSecure, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $51,765 ($51.8K)
Contractor: Codesecure, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-06-29
End Date: 2027-06-30
Contract Duration: 366 days
Daily Burn Rate: $141/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: TO RENEW CODE SONAR/ETD
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $51,765 to CODESECURE, INC. for work described as: TO RENEW CODE SONAR/ETD Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Duration of 366 days suggests a need for ongoing, critical services. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but sole-source nature may inflate the price. 4. Service category 'Other Computer Related Services' is broad and requires further definition of scope. 5. Awarded by NASA, indicating a focus on high-assurance systems. 6. No small business set-aside, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $5.18 million for a one-year period for code security services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. However, without specific details on the scope of work, it is difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. The sole-source nature of the award means that a competitive price discovery process was not utilized, which could lead to a higher-than-market price. Further analysis of the specific services provided and the contractor's historical pricing would be needed for a more definitive value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, CodeSecure, Inc., was solicited. This approach bypasses the competitive bidding process, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. While sole-source awards can be justified for unique capabilities or urgent needs, they reduce transparency and limit the government's ability to secure the best possible value through market forces. The lack of competition here means taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers did not benefit from potential cost savings that a competitive bidding process could have yielded. This could result in a higher overall expenditure for the government.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA, which will receive enhanced code security for its systems. The service delivered is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of software used by the agency. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around NASA facilities or remote workforces accessing these systems. Workforce implications are minimal for the public, but the contract supports specialized cybersecurity professionals within CodeSecure, Inc.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to sole-source nature.
- Scope of 'Other Computer Related Services' is broad and could lead to scope creep or undefined deliverables.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- Award to a single vendor suggests specialized expertise required for the task.
- Contract duration of one year allows for sustained security support.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity and software assurance. The market for code security and related services is growing rapidly due to increasing cyber threats. This contract represents a small portion of NASA's overall IT spending, but highlights the agency's commitment to securing its digital infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed service descriptions, but IT security services can range significantly in cost based on complexity and criticality.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. The award to CodeSecure, Inc., a single entity, suggests that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited unless they are direct subcontractors to CodeSecure, Inc. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem for cybersecurity services is neutral to negative, as a competitive opportunity was not opened to them.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers responsible for IT security. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract structure, requiring deliverables to be met. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IT Services
- Cybersecurity Services
- Software Assurance
- Information Technology Professional Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may result in higher costs.
- Limited competition reduces transparency and potential for innovation.
- Scope of services ('Other Computer Related Services') is broad and requires clear definition.
Tags
it-services, cybersecurity, software-security, code-analysis, nasa, purchase-order, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, professional-services, maryland, medium-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $51,765 to CODESECURE, INC.. TO RENEW CODE SONAR/ETD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CODESECURE, INC..
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 $51,765.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-06-29. End: 2027-06-30.
What specific code security services are included in this contract, and how do they align with NASA's cybersecurity needs?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'TO RENEW CODE SONAR/ETD' and falls under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). 'Code Sonar' and 'ETD' likely refer to specific software tools or services related to static and dynamic code analysis, vulnerability detection, and potentially software composition analysis (SCA) for identifying third-party components. These services are critical for NASA to ensure the security and integrity of its software systems, which are vital for mission operations, data protection, and national security. Without a detailed Statement of Work (SOW), the precise scope remains unclear, but it is reasonable to infer that the contract aims to provide continuous monitoring, assessment, and remediation guidance for NASA's software codebase to prevent security breaches and ensure compliance with security standards.
How does the $5.18 million contract value compare to similar code security services procured by other federal agencies?
Benchmarking this $5.18 million contract value is challenging without a detailed breakdown of the services provided by CodeSecure, Inc. However, federal agencies frequently procure code security and application security testing (AST) services. Contracts for similar services, including vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and secure code review, can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope, duration, and criticality. For instance, other agencies might award multi-year contracts for comprehensive AST platforms or services that could exceed this amount. The sole-source nature of this NASA award means direct price comparison with competitively bid contracts is less meaningful, as competitive processes typically yield lower prices. A more accurate comparison would require analyzing the specific deliverables, number of systems covered, and the level of expertise required.
What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated pricing and potentially suboptimal value for the government. Without competing the requirement, NASA may be paying more than necessary for the code security services. Furthermore, sole-source awards can reduce transparency in the procurement process and may limit the government's access to innovative solutions or alternative vendors that could offer better performance or cost-effectiveness. There's also a risk that the government becomes overly reliant on a single vendor, potentially hindering future flexibility and market access. While sole-source awards are sometimes justified by unique capabilities or urgent needs, they warrant careful justification and oversight to mitigate these inherent risks.
What is CodeSecure, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with NASA?
Information on CodeSecure, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially with NASA, is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would typically review past contract awards, performance evaluations (like Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or issues. A lack of extensive federal contracting history might indicate a newer entrant or a company that primarily serves the commercial sector. For this specific contract, the fact that it's a sole-source award might suggest NASA has prior positive experience with CodeSecure, Inc. or believes they possess unique capabilities. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases and performance records would be necessary to fully evaluate their track record.
How does this contract fit into NASA's overall spending on IT and cybersecurity?
This $5.18 million contract for code security services represents a component of NASA's broader IT and cybersecurity budget. NASA, like all federal agencies, invests significantly in protecting its complex systems, which range from mission-critical flight software to administrative networks. Cybersecurity spending is a growing priority across the government. While this specific contract value is substantial for a single award, it is likely a fraction of NASA's total annual IT expenditure, which can run into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. The allocation of funds towards specialized services like code renewal and analysis underscores NASA's commitment to proactive security measures rather than solely reactive incident response.
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 - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 80NSSC26927024Q
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6903 ROCKLEDGE DR STE 1250, BETHESDA, MD, 20817
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $51,765
Exercised Options: $51,765
Current Obligation: $51,765
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-06-29
Current End Date: 2027-06-30
Potential End Date: 2027-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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