DAF's $43.3M ICAM contract awarded to Accenture Federal Services for management consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,312,884 ($43.3M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 547 days

Daily Burn Rate: $79.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE (DAF) IDENTITY, CREDENTIAL, AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT (ICAM) (AFLCMC/HNID)

Place of Performance

Location: HANSCOM AFB, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01731

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $43.3 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE (DAF) IDENTITY, CREDENTIAL, AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT (ICAM) (AFLCMC/HNID) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for administrative management and general management consulting services. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs for the Department of the Air Force. 4. The contract duration is 547 days, ending March 31, 2026. 5. This award represents a significant investment in identity, credential, and access management capabilities. 6. The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $43.3 million over approximately 1.5 years for ICAM services appears reasonable given the scope of managing identity and access for a large organization like the Department of the Air Force. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT management consulting contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally expected to drive better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering price discovery and encouraging contractors to offer their best value solutions.

Public Impact

The Department of the Air Force benefits from enhanced security and streamlined access management. Services delivered will support the critical function of managing user identities and credentials. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting Air Force operations across various bases. Workforce implications may include support for IT personnel and security teams within the DAF.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if ICAM solutions become deeply integrated.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical identity management functions could pose a risk.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond the initial award if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type helps mitigate cost overruns.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a pre-established, potentially vetted, contract vehicle.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology consulting sector is a significant area of government spending. Contracts for identity, credential, and access management (ICAM) are crucial for cybersecurity and operational efficiency. This contract fits within the broader IT services market, specifically focusing on specialized management consulting for critical infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Accenture Federal Services is a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific delivery order, which could be a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Transparency is facilitated by the public award notice. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, with performance metrics likely defined in the contract's statement of work. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense-wide Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)
Air Force IT Modernization Programs
DoD Cybersecurity Initiatives
Federal Civilian Identity Management Services

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on contractor for critical security functions
Complexity of integrating new ICAM solutions with legacy systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $43.3 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE (DAF) IDENTITY, CREDENTIAL, AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT (ICAM) (AFLCMC/HNID)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-03-31.

What is Accenture Federal Services' track record with similar large-scale government IT management contracts?

Accenture Federal Services has a substantial track record with the U.S. federal government, including numerous large-scale IT and management consulting contracts across various agencies like the Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, and the IRS. They are known for their capabilities in areas such as cloud migration, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital transformation. Their experience often involves complex system integrations and large program management. Specific to ICAM, their past performance would likely include projects focused on identity lifecycle management, authentication, authorization, and privileged access management, often involving significant user bases and stringent security requirements. A detailed review of their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction and performance metrics, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the awarded value compare to similar ICAM or IT management consulting contracts within the DoD?

Comparing the $43.3 million value requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific services. For a 547-day contract focused on ICAM management consulting for the Department of the Air Force, this value appears within a reasonable range for large enterprise solutions. Similar contracts within the DoD for comprehensive IT modernization or cybersecurity management can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. Factors influencing this value include the number of users supported, the complexity of existing systems, the required security certifications, and the level of integration with other DoD systems. Without specific benchmark data for comparable ICAM management consulting delivery orders, a precise comparison is difficult, but the amount suggests a significant undertaking.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential scope creep, vendor lock-in, and the contractor's ability to deliver complex ICAM solutions effectively within the specified timeframe and budget. Scope creep is a risk in any large IT project; mitigation involves rigorous change control processes and a clearly defined statement of work. Vendor lock-in is a concern if the implemented solutions are proprietary and difficult to transition away from; mitigation might involve requirements for open standards or phased transition plans. The contractor's technical capability and performance are mitigated through the competitive selection process and the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes performance. The Department of the Air Force's program management and oversight are critical for ongoing risk mitigation.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in improving the DAF's ICAM capabilities?

The effectiveness hinges on the specific objectives outlined in the contract's statement of work and the contractor's execution. If the contract focuses on modernizing legacy systems, implementing robust multi-factor authentication, streamlining user provisioning/de-provisioning, and enhancing audit capabilities, it is expected to significantly improve the DAF's cybersecurity posture and operational efficiency. Effective ICAM reduces the attack surface, prevents unauthorized access, and ensures compliance with security mandates. The success will be measured by the achievement of performance metrics related to system uptime, security incident reduction, user access efficiency, and compliance adherence. The DAF's active program management and user adoption strategies will be crucial.

How does this contract's spending pattern compare to historical DAF investments in ICAM or related IT services?

This $43.3 million delivery order represents a specific investment within the broader context of the DAF's IT spending. Historical data would reveal if this is a new, significant push into ICAM modernization or a continuation of ongoing efforts. The DAF, like other branches of the DoD, consistently invests heavily in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and identity management due to the critical nature of their operations. Annual IT budgets for the DoD often run into the tens of billions. This contract, while substantial for a single award, is likely a component of a larger, multi-year strategy. Analyzing trends in DAF's IT procurement over the last 5-10 years would show the evolution of their spending priorities and the increasing importance placed on robust ICAM solutions.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Novetta Solutions, LLC

Address: 800 N GLEBE RD STE 300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,312,884

Exercised Options: $43,312,884

Current Obligation: $43,312,884

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA701420D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline