Dod's $11.7M Ciso Support Task Order Awarded to Asirtek Federal Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,673,816 ($11.7M)

Contractor: Asirtek Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-12-13

End Date: 2026-01-12

Contract Duration: 1,491 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER (CISO) SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78243

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.7 million to ASIRTEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER (CISO) SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Value-for-money assessment indicates potential for cost efficiencies given the firm-fixed-price structure. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a robust bidding process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators appear moderate, with a firm-fixed-price contract type mitigating cost overrun risks. 4. Performance context is within Computer Systems Design Services, a critical area for cybersecurity. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader IT and Defense sectors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $11.7 million task order for CISO support is a significant investment. While direct comparisons are difficult without more granular data on similar CISO support contracts, the firm-fixed-price (FFP) structure is generally favorable for cost control. Benchmarking against industry standards for cybersecurity consulting and IT support services would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the FFP nature suggests the government has locked in a price, which is a positive sign for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment. A competitive process is expected to lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a competitive market rate, preventing potential overpayment that could occur with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and specifically the Department of the Air Force, which will receive enhanced cybersecurity support. The services delivered will focus on Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) functions, crucial for protecting sensitive military information and systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational areas, though the specific location of service delivery is not detailed. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of cybersecurity professionals by ASIRTEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC and potential indirect impacts on government personnel overseeing the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical CISO functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving cybersecurity threats and DoD policies requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process, likely resulting in a fair price.
The contract duration of nearly five years allows for sustained support and knowledge transfer.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a vital component of the broader Information Technology and Defense industries. The market for cybersecurity services is substantial and growing, driven by increasing cyber threats. This task order represents a specific need within the DoD for specialized CISO expertise, contributing to the overall spending in IT services for government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large IT support contracts within the federal government, particularly those focused on cybersecurity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary focus for this specific task order, as it was not set aside for small businesses and the prime contractor is not identified as a small business. This means that opportunities for small businesses would likely be through subcontracting, if ASIRTEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC chooses to engage them. The impact on the small business ecosystem depends on the extent of subcontracting, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Air Force contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring ASIRTEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are reported. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential fraud, waste, or abuse identified.

Related Government Programs

DoD Cybersecurity Initiatives
Air Force IT Modernization Programs
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance
Cybersecurity Support Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues
Risk of cybersecurity vulnerabilities
Need for robust contract oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.7 million to ASIRTEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. TASK ORDER FOR CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER (CISO) SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASIRTEK 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 $11.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-13. End: 2026-01-12.

What is the track record of ASIRTEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC in delivering similar cybersecurity support services to the federal government?

Assessing the track record of ASIRTEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving CISO support or similar cybersecurity functions. Information on contract history, past performance evaluations, and any documented issues or successes would be crucial. A lack of extensive relevant past performance could indicate a higher risk for this task order. Conversely, a strong history of successful delivery on comparable contracts would provide greater confidence in their ability to meet the DoD's requirements. Without specific past performance data for this contractor on similar tasks, a definitive assessment is challenging, but federal procurement databases often contain relevant information.

How does the awarded price of $11.7 million compare to market rates for similar CISO support services?

Benchmarking the $11.7 million award against market rates for CISO support services is essential for evaluating value for money. This comparison would involve analyzing industry reports, salary data for cybersecurity professionals, and pricing from other IT service providers offering similar expertise. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, the government has committed to this amount. If market analysis reveals significantly lower rates for comparable services, it could suggest the award price is high. Conversely, if it aligns with or is below market rates, it indicates good value. The duration of the contract (nearly 5 years) also needs to be factored into the per-year cost comparison.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, cybersecurity breaches due to inadequate support, and the possibility of scope creep if requirements are not tightly managed. Mitigation strategies inherent in the contract include the firm-fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to control costs. The full and open competition process aims to select a capable vendor. Additionally, the Department of the Air Force will likely implement performance monitoring, regular reviews, and clear communication channels to manage risks and ensure contract compliance. The contract's duration also necessitates ongoing vigilance.

How effective is the chosen procurement method (full and open competition after exclusion of sources) in ensuring competitive pricing for CISO support?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method is designed to maximize competition while potentially streamlining the process by excluding specific sources deemed unsuitable or unnecessary. This approach generally leads to competitive pricing because it allows a broad range of qualified vendors to submit proposals. The effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the solicitation, the number of responsive bidders, and the evaluation criteria. If multiple capable vendors participated and submitted competitive bids, this method is likely effective in securing fair market value for the CISO support services. The absence of specific bidder numbers limits a definitive assessment of the degree of competition achieved.

What is the historical spending pattern for CISO support services within the Department of Defense or Department of the Air Force?

Analyzing historical spending on CISO support services within the DoD or Air Force is crucial for context. This involves examining previous contract awards for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding past spending trends can reveal whether this $11.7 million task order represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in CISO functions. It can also highlight any shifts in procurement strategies or contractor choices over time. Without access to historical spending data, it's difficult to determine if this award is consistent with past practices or indicative of a new trend in cybersecurity investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14603 HUEBNER RD. SUITE 2402, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78230

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,952,535

Exercised Options: $11,952,535

Current Obligation: $11,673,816

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA703720D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline