National Archives awards $3.6M IT Security Support contract to XL Associates, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,636,819 ($3.6M)

Contractor: XL Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2025-09-26

End Date: 2027-03-25

Contract Duration: 545 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES COR: KEITH DAY ALT: NATALIE LEONTIEV

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20740

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $3.6 million to XL ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: IT SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES COR: KEITH DAY ALT: NATALIE LEONTIEV Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type indicates predictable costs for the government. 3. The contract duration of 545 days (approx. 1.5 years) provides a defined period for service delivery. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to administrative management and general management consulting services. 5. The contract is a delivery order, likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. The award is for IT security support, a critical function for federal agencies. 7. The base contract value is $3,636,818.64. 8. The contract is managed by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.6 million for IT security support over approximately 1.5 years appears reasonable given the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar IT security support contracts within the federal government would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the specific deliverables and service levels will ultimately determine the true value.

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 two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While two bidders is better than one, a higher number of bidders typically leads to more aggressive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a more competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality.

Public Impact

The National Archives and Records Administration benefits from enhanced IT security to protect its vast digital assets and sensitive information. The contract ensures the delivery of critical IT security support services, safeguarding the agency's information systems. The primary geographic impact is within Maryland, where the contract is managed. The contract supports the federal government's overall cybersecurity posture and its ability to protect national data.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and difficult to transition.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT security functions could pose a risk if performance degrades.
Ensuring adequate performance metrics and oversight is crucial for maintaining service quality.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract addresses a critical need for IT security support within a key federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity. The federal government is a significant consumer of IT security services, with spending in this area consistently growing due to increasing cyber threats. This contract represents a portion of the National Archives' overall IT spending, contributing to the agency's ability to maintain secure operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar IT security support services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if XL Associates, Inc. chooses to engage them. Without specific subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Archives and Records Administration's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) compliance
Cybersecurity Modernization Act
IT Services and Support Contracts
National Archives IT Modernization Efforts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues
Cybersecurity risks
Vendor lock-in potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $3.6 million to XL ASSOCIATES, INC.. IT SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES COR: KEITH DAY ALT: NATALIE LEONTIEV

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is XL ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-26. End: 2027-03-25.

What is the track record of XL Associates, Inc. in performing similar IT security support services for federal agencies?

A thorough review of XL Associates, Inc.'s past performance is essential to assess their capability to deliver on this IT security support contract. This would involve examining their history with similar federal contracts, including the size, scope, and duration of previous engagements. Key indicators to look for include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, client satisfaction ratings, and any past performance issues or disputes. Analyzing their experience with specific security protocols, technologies, and compliance requirements relevant to the National Archives would also be crucial. Information on their past performance can often be found in federal procurement databases and through agency performance evaluations, providing valuable insight into their reliability and expertise.

How does the awarded price of $3.6 million compare to market rates for similar IT security support services?

To benchmark the $3.6 million award, one would compare it against the average or median contract values for IT security support services of comparable scope and duration awarded to similar types of contractors (e.g., large businesses, small businesses) by federal agencies. This analysis would consider factors such as the specific services provided (e.g., vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, security monitoring, incident response), the level of expertise required, and the geographic location of service delivery. Data from contract databases like FPDS can be used to identify comparable contracts. If the National Archives has established pre-negotiated rates or has a strong understanding of market pricing for these services, that internal data would also be a valuable comparison point. A significant deviation from market rates, either higher or lower, would warrant further investigation into the reasons behind it.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks for this IT security support contract include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, cybersecurity breaches due to inadequate service, and the risk of vendor lock-in. Performance deficiencies could arise if XL Associates, Inc. lacks the necessary expertise or resources, leading to gaps in security coverage. A cybersecurity breach, even if not directly caused by the contractor, could have severe consequences given the sensitive data managed by the National Archives. Vendor lock-in is a risk if the services are highly specialized and difficult to transition to another provider. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight, clearly defined performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs), regular performance reviews, and contingency planning for service disruptions or contractor failure. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract also helps mitigate cost overrun risks.

How effective is the National Archives and Records Administration in managing and overseeing IT security support contracts?

Assessing the effectiveness of the National Archives' oversight requires examining their internal processes for contract management, including the qualifications of their contracting officers and program managers, the clarity of their performance work statements (PWS), and the rigor of their quality assurance surveillance plans (QASP). Evidence of effective oversight would include consistent positive contractor performance, timely resolution of issues, and adherence to federal acquisition regulations. Conversely, a history of contract disputes, performance failures, or cost overruns could indicate weaknesses in oversight. The agency's overall IT modernization strategy and its commitment to cybersecurity best practices also provide context for their management capabilities. Reviewing any Inspector General reports related to the agency's IT contracts could offer further insights.

What has been the historical spending pattern of the National Archives and Records Administration on IT security support services?

Analyzing the historical spending of the National Archives on IT security support services would involve examining contract awards over the past several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in the total amount spent, the types of services procured, the primary contractors utilized, and the contract vehicles employed (e.g., IDIQ, task orders). Understanding this pattern can help determine if the current $3.6 million award is consistent with past investments, represents an increase or decrease in spending, and if there's a reliance on specific vendors or contract types. It can also highlight any shifts in the agency's cybersecurity priorities or strategies over time. Comparing this historical spending to the agency's overall IT budget and its mission requirements would provide further context.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8614 WESTWOOD CENTER DR STE 700, VIENNA, VA, 22182

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,550,018

Exercised Options: $3,636,819

Current Obligation: $3,636,819

Actual Outlays: $797,549

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F289CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline