DoD awards $19.7M for cyber support, with Cyber Systems & Services Solutions LLC winning a firm-fixed-price contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,708,984 ($19.7M)
Contractor: Cyber Systems & Services Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-02-09
End Date: 2025-11-09
Contract Duration: 639 days
Daily Burn Rate: $30.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: DEFENSIVE CYBER REALIZATION, INTEGRATION AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78226
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.7 million to CYBER SYSTEMS & SERVICES SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: DEFENSIVE CYBER REALIZATION, INTEGRATION AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in defensive cyber capabilities. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 4. This contract supports critical operational cyber functions for the Department of the Air Force. 5. The duration of the contract extends over a year, indicating ongoing support needs. 6. The awardee, Cyber Systems & Services Solutions LLC, is positioned to deliver specialized cyber services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $19.7 million for defensive cyber realization, integration, and operational support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale cyber support contracts within the Department of Defense would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally favorable for the government in managing cost certainty, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and achievable within the stated price.
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 that the solicitation was broadly advertised and multiple bids were likely considered. The specific exclusion of sources might relate to prior performance or specific technical requirements, but the overall intent was competitive. The presence of full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging high-quality service delivery from multiple potential providers.
Public Impact
The Department of the Air Force benefits from enhanced defensive cyber capabilities. Services include realization, integration, and operational support for cyber systems. The contract's impact is primarily within the defense sector, supporting national security. Workforce implications may include specialized cyber professionals employed by the contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if requirements are not tightly managed under FFP.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical cyber operations.
- Ensuring continuous innovation and adaptation to evolving cyber threats.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Award to a specialized cyber solutions provider suggests expertise.
- Full and open competition likely led to a competitive price.
Sector Analysis
The cybersecurity market is a rapidly growing and critical sector within the broader IT services industry. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by increasing cyber threats to government systems and data. This contract for defensive cyber realization, integration, and operational support fits within the Computer Systems Design Services NAICS code (541512). Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale cyber support contracts awarded by the DoD and other federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. Therefore, direct benefits to small businesses through this specific award are unlikely unless they are subcontractors. The prime contractor, Cyber Systems & Services Solutions LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Air Force. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and adherence to the firm-fixed-price terms are key oversight functions. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- DoD Cyber Security Services
- IT Systems Integration Services
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Defense Information Technology Contracting
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
- Evolving cyber threat landscape requires continuous adaptation.
- Clarity of scope is crucial for firm-fixed-price contracts.
Tags
it, defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, cyber-security, computer-systems-design-services, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, texas, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $19.7 million to CYBER SYSTEMS & SERVICES SOLUTIONS LLC. DEFENSIVE CYBER REALIZATION, INTEGRATION AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CYBER SYSTEMS & SERVICES SOLUTIONS 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 $19.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-02-09. End: 2025-11-09.
What is the track record of Cyber Systems & Services Solutions LLC in performing similar defensive cyber support contracts for the federal government?
A review of federal procurement databases and contract award histories would be necessary to fully assess the track record of Cyber Systems & Services Solutions LLC. Specifically, one would look for prior awards for defensive cyber realization, integration, and operational support services, particularly within the Department of Defense or Air Force. Analyzing past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes, and the successful completion of similar scope-of-work contracts would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. Without specific historical data on this contractor's performance on comparable federal contracts, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record beyond the current award.
How does the $19.7 million contract value compare to similar defensive cyber support contracts awarded by the Department of the Air Force?
To benchmark the $19.7 million contract value, one would need to compare it against recent awards for similar defensive cyber realization, integration, and operational support services issued by the Department of the Air Force or other branches of the DoD. Key comparison points would include the scope of work, contract duration, and the specific services provided. For instance, if similar contracts for a comparable duration and complexity have been awarded in the range of $15-25 million, then this award would be considered within a typical market range. Conversely, if comparable contracts are significantly lower or higher, it might indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing/underbidding. The firm-fixed-price nature also suggests a focus on cost control, which should be a factor in the comparison.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Primary risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements may expand beyond the initial definition, leading to cost overruns (though mitigated by FFP). Another risk is the contractor's ability to keep pace with rapidly evolving cyber threats and technologies, potentially leading to outdated solutions. Dependence on a single contractor for critical cyber operations also poses a risk if performance falters. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by the COR, clear definition and adherence to the Statement of Work (SOW), regular performance reviews, and potentially incorporating mechanisms for technical refresh or adaptation within the contract terms. The firm-fixed-price structure itself is a risk mitigation tool for the government regarding cost certainty.
How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method in ensuring optimal value for taxpayer dollars in this cyber support context?
The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance broad market access with specific needs. By excluding certain sources, the agency might be targeting specific technical capabilities or past performance requirements that only a subset of the market can meet. While 'full and open' implies broad solicitation, the exclusion narrows the field. If the exclusions are well-justified and based on objective criteria, this method can still lead to robust competition among qualified vendors, potentially yielding good value. However, if the exclusions are overly restrictive or not well-justified, it could limit competition and potentially lead to higher prices or less optimal solutions than true full and open competition without exclusions.
What are the historical spending patterns for defensive cyber support services within the Department of the Air Force?
Historical spending patterns for defensive cyber support services within the Department of the Air Force are generally characterized by significant and increasing investment. Agencies like the Air Force continuously allocate substantial budgets towards cybersecurity due to the persistent and evolving threat landscape. This includes funding for system integration, operational support, threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management. Spending in this area has seen a consistent upward trend across the federal government over the past decade. Analyzing specific historical data for the Air Force would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the primary contractors involved in delivering these critical capabilities.
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: ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
Solicitation ID: FA877316R8002
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1311 FORT CROOK RD S STE 105C, BELLEVUE, NE, 68005
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, 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: $26,350,411
Exercised Options: $23,355,186
Current Obligation: $19,708,984
Actual Outlays: $2,338,758
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA877318D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-02-09
Current End Date: 2025-11-09
Potential End Date: 2026-02-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-17
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