DOJ's $22.9M IT security contract with CSRA Information Systems awarded competitively

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,907,160 ($22.9M)

Contractor: Csra Information Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2009-03-01

End Date: 2011-09-30

Contract Duration: 943 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: CERTIFICATION ACCREDITATION AND INFORMATION SECURITY FOR FBI.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20530

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $22.9 million to CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: CERTIFICATION ACCREDITATION AND INFORMATION SECURITY FOR FBI. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a competitive delivery order, suggesting a degree of market vetting. 2. Focus on IT security and computer systems design indicates a critical function for the FBI. 3. The contract duration of 943 days (approx. 2.6 years) provides a moderate timeframe for service delivery. 4. Awarded as a Time and Materials contract, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 5. The specific NAICS code (541512) points to a well-defined service category within IT. 6. The contract was not set aside for small businesses, implying larger prime contractors were considered.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $22.9 million over approximately 2.6 years averages to about $8.8 million annually. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, given the competitive award, it suggests the pricing was deemed acceptable relative to other potential bidders at the time of award. Benchmarking against similar IT security contracts for federal agencies of comparable size and scope would be necessary for a more precise valuation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER', indicating it was competed under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar vehicle that allowed for multiple bidders. The presence of 'no' (number of offers) as 2 suggests at least two offers were received and considered, which is a positive sign for competition. The level of competition, while not explicitly detailed in terms of the number of bidders, implies that CSRA Information Systems was selected from a pool of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source procurements. The fact that multiple offers were considered suggests that the government sought the best value available in the market.

Public Impact

The FBI benefits directly through enhanced information security and IT system design services. Services delivered include crucial IT security certifications and accreditation, safeguarding sensitive data. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting the operational security of a federal law enforcement agency. Workforce implications may include IT security specialists and system designers employed by CSRA Information Systems and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Limited competition (2 offers) might indicate a specialized market or potential barriers to entry for other firms.
The contract ended in 2011; current IT security needs and solutions may have evolved significantly since then.

Positive Signals

Awarded competitively, suggesting a degree of market validation.
Focus on critical IT security functions for a major federal agency.
The contractor, CSRA Information Systems, likely possesses relevant expertise in this domain.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly cybersecurity and systems design, is a significant and growing area of federal spending. This contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512), a broad category encompassing the design, development, and integration of computer systems. Federal agencies increasingly rely on specialized IT support to manage complex networks, protect sensitive data, and ensure operational continuity. Spending in this sector is driven by evolving technological landscapes and increasing cyber threats, making it a high-priority area for government investment.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting goals for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the prime contract was likely awarded to a larger entity capable of handling the scope and complexity of the requirement. The absence of explicit small business provisions means that the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific contract is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may still engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Department of Justice, specifically the FBI, through contract officers and technical representatives. As a federal contract, it would be subject to standard government oversight mechanisms, including performance reviews and audits. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse were identified. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed performance data is often not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

FBI IT Modernization Programs
Department of Justice Cybersecurity Initiatives
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance
General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Limited Competition (2 Offers)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $22.9 million to CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC. CERTIFICATION ACCREDITATION AND INFORMATION SECURITY FOR FBI.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-03-01. End: 2011-09-30.

What was the specific nature of the 'CERTIFICATION ACCREDITATION AND INFORMATION SECURITY' services provided under this contract?

The contract description 'CERTIFICATION ACCREDITATION AND INFORMATION SECURITY' suggests services related to ensuring that FBI information systems meet federal security standards and regulations. This typically involves assessing system vulnerabilities, implementing security controls, documenting security procedures, and obtaining formal accreditation for systems to operate. It could encompass activities like risk assessments, security plan development, security testing, and compliance monitoring under frameworks such as NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and FISMA. The goal is to protect sensitive government data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.

How does the $22.9 million contract value compare to other similar IT security contracts awarded by the Department of Justice or FBI during that period?

Comparing the $22.9 million value requires context regarding the contract's duration (March 2009 - September 2011, approximately 2.6 years) and the specific services rendered. Annualized, this contract represents roughly $8.8 million per year. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, federal IT security spending was substantial, driven by increasing cyber threats and regulatory requirements like FISMA. Contracts of this magnitude for specialized IT security services were not uncommon for large agencies like the FBI. However, without specific details on the scope (e.g., number of systems secured, level of accreditation achieved) and comparing it to other contracts for similar services (e.g., penetration testing, security architecture design, compliance audits) awarded by DOJ or FBI during the same timeframe, a precise benchmark is difficult. It appears to be a significant but not extraordinary investment for critical security functions.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract, and how did CSRA Information Systems perform against them?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance metrics established for this contract, nor does it contain CSRA Information Systems' performance ratings. Typically, for IT security and systems design contracts, KPIs might include metrics related to the successful accreditation of systems, reduction in security incidents, timely completion of security assessments, adherence to security protocols, and user satisfaction. Without access to the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance reports, it is impossible to assess CSRA's performance or determine if the contract achieved its intended objectives effectively and efficiently.

What is the track record of CSRA Information Systems (and its predecessors/successors) in delivering IT security services to the federal government?

CSRA Information Systems, LLC, was a significant IT contractor. It's important to note that CSRA was formed through mergers and acquisitions, notably involving SRA International and the North American Public Sector of CSC. Its successor entity, following acquisition by General Dynamics, is now part of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT). Throughout its history, the company and its constituent parts have had a substantial track record of delivering IT services, including cybersecurity, to various federal agencies. They have historically held numerous large contracts across defense, intelligence, and civilian sectors. While specific performance details for individual contracts like this one are not public, the company's longevity and scale suggest a broad capability and experience base in federal IT, including security-related services.

Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The data indicates the contract was a 'TIME AND MATERIALS' (T&M) type. A primary risk inherent in T&M contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the time and materials expended by the contractor, rather than a fixed price for a defined outcome. This necessitates robust oversight to ensure efficient labor utilization and prevent scope creep. Another potential risk, suggested by the 'no' value of 2 (number of offers), could be limited competition, potentially impacting price negotiation or the availability of specialized expertise. Mitigation strategies would have involved close monitoring of labor hours, detailed review of material costs, clear definition of tasks, and strong contract management by the DOJ/FBI contracting officers to ensure the contractor remained within budget and delivered the required security outcomes.

How has federal spending on IT security services, particularly for agencies like the FBI, evolved since the completion of this contract in 2011?

Federal spending on IT security services has dramatically increased and evolved since 2011. The landscape has shifted from a focus on basic certification and accreditation to more advanced areas like zero-trust architecture, cloud security, artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and continuous monitoring. Agencies like the FBI face ever-growing and sophisticated cyber threats, necessitating larger budgets and more advanced solutions. Regulatory frameworks have also become more stringent. Consequently, annual federal spending on cybersecurity has grown substantially, reflecting the escalating importance of protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data. Contracts are often larger, more complex, and require specialized expertise in emerging technologies compared to those awarded in the early 2010s.

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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 401 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,907,160

Exercised Options: $22,907,160

Current Obligation: $22,907,160

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ05C1110

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline