Commerce awarded $29.2M for IT security support, with 13 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,228,680 ($29.2M)

Contractor: Alliant Across America Information Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2010-03-09

End Date: 2020-09-30

Contract Duration: 3,858 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES - IV&V

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $29.2 million to ALLIANT ACROSS AMERICA INFORMATION SERVICES, LLC for work described as: IT SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES - IV&V Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the long contract duration and competitive bidding. 2. Strong competition dynamics were present with 13 bidders, suggesting fair price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a long performance period and time-and-materials pricing. 4. Performance context shows a long-term need for IT security validation services. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically focusing on independent verification and validation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $29.2 million over its 10-year duration suggests an average annual spend of around $2.9 million. Benchmarking this against similar IT security support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the presence of 13 bidders indicates a competitive environment that likely drove pricing towards market rates. The time-and-materials pricing structure, while flexible, can introduce cost uncertainty if not managed closely.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a robust bidding process. The participation of 13 bidders suggests a healthy level of market interest and a competitive landscape for these IT security support services. This broad competition is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing and ensuring a wide range of qualified vendors can participate.

Taxpayer Impact: The high number of bidders is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a competitive price, preventing potential overpayment.

Public Impact

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) benefits from enhanced IT security through independent verification and validation. Services delivered include critical assessments of IT systems to ensure security and compliance. The geographic impact is primarily within the USPTO's operational locations, likely concentrated in Virginia. Workforce implications include the need for specialized cybersecurity and IT auditing professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (10 years) increases exposure to evolving threats and technology changes.
Time-and-materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not carefully monitored and controlled.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical function like IV&V could pose continuity risks if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition ensures a broad base of potential providers, fostering innovation and competitive pricing.
The high number of bidders (13) suggests strong market interest and vendor capability.
The contract's focus on independent verification and validation directly supports the security posture of a critical government agency.

Sector Analysis

The IT security services sector is a rapidly growing and critical component of government operations. This contract falls within the broader category of IT consulting and support services, specifically focusing on Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V). The market for cybersecurity services is highly competitive, with significant investment from both government and private sectors. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific scope and complexity of the IV&V services required by the USPTO.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor is identified as ALLIANT ACROSS AMERICA INFORMATION SERVICES, LLC, the extent of small business subcontracting is not detailed here. Given the nature of large-scale IT support services, there is potential for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, contributing specialized expertise. Further analysis would be needed to determine the actual impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, including deliverables, service level agreements, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Security Services
Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V)
Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Commerce IT Contracts
USPTO Technology Modernization

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Time and Materials pricing
Potential for cost overruns
Evolving technology and threats

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $29.2 million to ALLIANT ACROSS AMERICA INFORMATION SERVICES, LLC. IT SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES - IV&V

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALLIANT ACROSS AMERICA INFORMATION SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-03-09. End: 2020-09-30.

What is the track record of ALLIANT ACROSS AMERICA INFORMATION SERVICES, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in IT security?

ALLIANT ACROSS AMERICA INFORMATION SERVICES, LLC has a history of federal contracting. While specific details on their IT security track record require deeper database analysis, their involvement in this significant $29.2 million contract with the Department of Commerce suggests a capacity to handle large-scale IT support services. Examining past performance evaluations and other awarded contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their expertise and reliability in the IT security domain. Their ability to win a competitive bid for this specific service indicates they met the government's requirements at the time of award.

How does the per-unit cost or hourly rate for this contract compare to market benchmarks for similar IT security IV&V services?

Determining a precise per-unit cost or hourly rate benchmark is difficult without granular data on the specific services rendered under this time-and-materials contract. The total award of $29.2 million over approximately 10 years averages to about $2.9 million annually. Market rates for IT security IV&V services can vary significantly based on the complexity of the systems being validated, the required certifications of personnel, and geographic location. Given the full and open competition with 13 bidders, it is reasonable to infer that the rates negotiated were competitive within the market at the time of award. However, a detailed analysis would require access to the contract's specific labor categories, rates, and the volume of hours billed.

What are the primary risks associated with a 10-year contract for IT security support services, and how were they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with a 10-year IT security support contract include technological obsolescence, evolving threat landscapes, and potential contractor performance degradation over time. To mitigate these, the government likely incorporated clauses for regular performance reviews, contract modifications to adapt to new requirements, and potentially price adjustments based on market conditions. The time-and-materials (T&M) pricing structure, while offering flexibility, also carries a risk of cost escalation if not managed diligently through strong oversight, detailed reporting, and defined ceilings. Furthermore, the competitive nature of the initial award suggests a mechanism for re-competition or review if performance was unsatisfactory.

How effective has this contract been in enhancing the IT security posture of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?

Assessing the effectiveness of this contract in enhancing the USPTO's IT security posture requires access to performance metrics, audit reports, and security incident data that are not publicly available in this dataset. The contract's objective, Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V), is designed to proactively identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with security standards. Its long duration suggests a sustained effort towards maintaining and improving security. However, effectiveness is ultimately measured by the reduction in security incidents, successful mitigation of identified risks, and the overall resilience of the USPTO's IT infrastructure, which would be documented in internal agency assessments.

What has been the historical spending trend for IT security support services at the Department of Commerce or USPTO?

This dataset provides information on a single contract awarded in 2010 and ending in 2020, totaling $29.2 million. To understand the historical spending trend, one would need to analyze all IT security support contracts awarded by the Department of Commerce and specifically the USPTO over a longer period, perhaps the last 10-15 years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for similar contract vehicles, agencies, and service categories. Such an analysis would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable, and identify any major shifts in procurement strategies or technology focus within the agency.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1911 RIVIERA DRIVE, VISTA, CA, 92084

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,046,772

Exercised Options: $29,228,680

Current Obligation: $29,228,680

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06F0598Z

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline