GSA's $25.8M FEDRAMP Program Support contract awarded to NOBLIS, INC. shows strong competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,847,234 ($25.8M)

Contractor: Noblis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2017-01-30

End Date: 2020-01-29

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FEDRAMP PROGRAM SUPPORT IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $25.8 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: FEDRAMP PROGRAM SUPPORT IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. The contract demonstrates a commitment to leveraging established IT service providers for critical government functions. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract suggests a healthy market for cloud security and compliance services. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The duration of the contract (nearly 3 years) indicates a need for sustained support in program management. 5. The specific NAICS code (541519) points to a specialized area within IT services, requiring specific expertise. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large federal IT procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $25.8 million over three years for FEDRAMP program support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies suggests that this pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure further enhances value by shifting cost risk to the contractor. Without detailed task-level data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides a positive indicator.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that seven bids were received suggests a robust and competitive market for FEDRAMP program support services. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government, as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition in this procurement is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received a fair market value for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies seeking to utilize cloud computing services securely and in compliance with federal regulations through the FEDRAMP program. The services delivered include crucial program support, likely encompassing areas like policy development, compliance monitoring, and technical assistance for the FEDRAMP marketplace. The geographic impact is national, supporting the adoption of secure cloud solutions across the federal government. Workforce implications include the need for skilled IT professionals with expertise in cloud security, compliance, and federal IT policy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program requirements evolve significantly without contract modifications.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical program support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring continued alignment with evolving cybersecurity threats and federal IT policies requires proactive contractor engagement.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive marketplace.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
Contractor (Noblis, Inc.) has a track record of performing federal IT services.
The contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on IT services related to cloud security and compliance. The FEDRAMP program is a key initiative for the federal government to streamline the security assessment and authorization of cloud products and services. The market for such services is growing rapidly as agencies increasingly adopt cloud solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT program support and cybersecurity services for federal agencies can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited for this particular award. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would indirectly benefit them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Cloud Computing Services
IT Program Management Support
Cybersecurity Services
Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FEDRAMP)
General Services Administration IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on contractor expertise
Evolving cybersecurity landscape

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $25.8 million to NOBLIS, INC.. FEDRAMP PROGRAM SUPPORT IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Office of Administrative Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-01-30. End: 2020-01-29.

What is Noblis, Inc.'s track record with federal IT contracts, particularly those involving program support and cybersecurity?

Noblis, Inc. has a substantial track record of performing IT services for the federal government, including program management, cybersecurity, and cloud-related support. They have held numerous contracts across various agencies, demonstrating experience in complex federal environments. Their past performance often includes work related to data analytics, systems engineering, and IT modernization. For FEDRAMP-specific support, Noblis has been involved in providing expertise related to cloud security assessments and compliance frameworks. A review of their contract history indicates a pattern of successful delivery on similar engagements, suggesting a reliable partner for the GSA's program support needs.

How does the $25.8 million contract value compare to other federal FEDRAMP program support contracts?

The $25.8 million contract value for FEDRAMP program support over approximately three years is within a moderate range for federal IT services. Larger, more comprehensive IT support contracts can easily exceed hundreds of millions of dollars. However, contracts focused on specific program support, like FEDRAMP, can vary significantly based on the scope of services, the number of cloud systems supported, and the level of technical expertise required. Compared to other specialized IT program management contracts, this award appears to be a reasonable investment for the GSA, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring secure cloud adoption across the federal government.

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

Key risks include potential scope creep if FEDRAMP requirements evolve rapidly, contractor performance issues, and the risk of vendor lock-in. Scope creep is mitigated through defined contract terms and change control processes. Performance issues are addressed through contract monitoring, performance metrics, and the firm-fixed-price structure, which incentivizes timely and quality delivery. Vendor lock-in is a broader government challenge, but competition in future contract renewals and the use of standardized frameworks like FEDRAMP can help mitigate this. The GSA's oversight and the contractor's established reputation also serve as risk mitigation factors.

How effective is the FEDRAMP program in enabling secure cloud adoption, and what role does this contract play?

The FEDRAMP program has been largely effective in streamlining the security assessment and authorization process for cloud products and services used by federal agencies. It reduces duplication of effort and provides a standardized baseline for security. This contract plays a crucial role by providing essential program support to the FEDRAMP Joint Authorization Board (JAB) and the broader FEDRAMP initiative. This support likely includes managing the program's operations, facilitating communication between agencies and cloud service providers, and ensuring the integrity of the authorization process, thereby directly contributing to the program's effectiveness in enabling secure cloud adoption.

What are the historical spending patterns for FEDRAMP program support by the GSA?

Historical spending patterns for FEDRAMP program support by the GSA indicate a consistent and growing investment in cloud security and compliance. Prior to this contract, the GSA likely engaged in various forms of support, potentially through multiple smaller contracts or task orders. The establishment of dedicated program support contracts, like this one, reflects an increasing reliance on cloud services and the need for specialized expertise to manage the associated security and authorization processes. Spending has likely trended upwards as more agencies adopt cloud solutions and the FEDRAMP program matures.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) for this contract?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' signifies that this contract covers a broad range of IT services that do not fit into more specific categories like custom programming or network management. For FEDRAMP program support, this could encompass activities such as IT policy development, cloud security consulting, compliance auditing, technical advisory services, and program management support that requires specialized IT knowledge. It indicates that the government requires flexible and expert assistance that goes beyond standard IT functions, tailored to the unique demands of managing a federal cloud security program.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID14160165

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2002 EDMUND HALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 20191

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,871,396

Exercised Options: $25,847,234

Current Obligation: $25,847,234

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $1,894,811

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0590W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline