GSA's $25M Cybersecurity Contract to Alliant Information Technologies Shows Moderate Value and Strong Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,988,938 ($25.0M)

Contractor: Alliant Information Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2016-09-23

End Date: 2021-11-06

Contract Duration: 1,870 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF ID09160027: CYBERSECURITY AND INFORMATION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SEASIDE, MONTEREY County, CALIFORNIA, 93955

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $25.0 million to ALLIANT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF ID09160027: CYBERSECURITY AND INFORMATION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable given the scope of cybersecurity and information assurance support services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) indicates a need for sustained support in a critical area. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 5. The award to a single contractor under full and open competition implies a strong proposal and competitive positioning. 6. The services provided are essential for maintaining federal information security posture.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $25 million over its period of performance (2016-2021) suggests a moderate investment for comprehensive cybersecurity and information assurance support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT support contracts, this pricing appears competitive, especially considering the specialized nature of the services. The firm-fixed-price structure further enhances value by shifting cost-risk to the contractor, ensuring predictable government expenditure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors were allowed to bid. The fact that it resulted in an award to a single contractor suggests that Alliant Information Technologies, LLC presented the most advantageous offer based on the evaluation criteria. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensures the government receives a strong value proposition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best possible price and quality for essential cybersecurity services, preventing potential overpayment and ensuring robust security for federal data.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring cybersecurity and information assurance support benefit directly from the services rendered. The contract ensures the protection of sensitive federal data and critical infrastructure. The geographic impact is nationwide, supporting federal operations across various locations. The contract likely supports a workforce skilled in cybersecurity, IT, and information assurance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively procured.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical cybersecurity functions could pose a risk if performance degrades.
The specific details of performance metrics and service level agreements are not publicly detailed, making independent assessment of effectiveness challenging.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
The contractor, Alliant Information Technologies, LLC, likely possesses demonstrated expertise in cybersecurity.
The contract duration suggests a stable and reliable provision of essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services (NAICS 541512). The market for cybersecurity and information assurance is a rapidly growing and critical segment of the IT industry, driven by increasing cyber threats. Government spending in this area is substantial, with agencies across all departments requiring robust solutions to protect sensitive data and systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale cybersecurity support contracts awarded by GSA and other federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor is likely a large business. While there is no direct indication of small business subcontracting requirements in the provided data, large federal contracts often include provisions for small business participation. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the competition was open to all qualified firms, and the focus was on the best overall value rather than specifically promoting small business awards.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally employs robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts. This includes contract performance monitoring, financial audits, and compliance checks. The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) within GSA is responsible for managing many of these contracts. Transparency is typically maintained through contract databases like FPDS-NG, where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA IT Schedule 70
Cybersecurity Services Contracts
Information Assurance Support
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance Support

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Cybersecurity Service Dependency
Performance Monitoring Clarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $25.0 million to ALLIANT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. IGF::CL::IGF ID09160027: CYBERSECURITY AND INFORMATION ASSURANCE SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALLIANT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-23. End: 2021-11-06.

What is the track record of Alliant Information Technologies, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in cybersecurity?

Alliant Information Technologies, LLC has a significant history of federal contracting, often through large IDIQ vehicles like GSA's Alliant Government Services contracts. Their portfolio typically includes a wide range of IT services, with a strong emphasis on areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and enterprise IT modernization. Reviewing their past performance on similar cybersecurity contracts would provide insight into their ability to deliver complex solutions, meet performance requirements, and manage costs effectively. Data from contract databases often shows a pattern of successful awards and contract completions, though specific performance metrics for individual contracts are not always publicly detailed. Their sustained presence in the federal market suggests a generally positive track record, but a deeper dive into specific contract performance reports and any past issues would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar cybersecurity support services awarded by the government?

The total contract value of approximately $25 million over roughly five years, for comprehensive cybersecurity and information assurance support, appears to be within a reasonable range for large federal IT service contracts. Without access to the specific labor categories, rates, and service levels detailed in the original proposal and subsequent task orders, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, given that it was awarded under full and open competition, it suggests that the pricing was deemed competitive against other market participants. Comparing the average annual value ($5 million) to other large cybersecurity support contracts awarded by agencies like DoD or DHS, or through other GSA schedules, would provide a more robust comparison. The firm-fixed-price nature also implies that the government secured predictable costs, which is a positive value indicator.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of cybersecurity support contract?

Key risks include the potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on procurements are not managed competitively, leading to reduced future price discovery. There's also a risk related to the contractor's performance; any degradation in service quality or responsiveness could impact the government's ability to maintain its cybersecurity posture. Dependence on a single contractor for critical functions can be a vulnerability if the contractor faces financial instability or operational challenges. Furthermore, the evolving threat landscape means that the contracted services must remain relevant and effective, posing a risk if the contractor fails to adapt. Finally, ensuring adequate oversight and accountability to confirm that the services meet all security and compliance requirements is an ongoing risk management activity.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers on this contract?

The 'full and open competition' designation is a strong indicator that the contract is structured to maximize value for taxpayers. This approach allows any qualified vendor to submit a bid, fostering a competitive environment that typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. The fact that the award went to a single entity suggests that Alliant Information Technologies, LLC presented the most compelling offer, likely balancing price, technical merit, and past performance. This level of competition helps prevent price inflation that can occur with sole-source or limited-competition awards. Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible deal in the open market for these critical cybersecurity services.

What is the historical spending pattern for cybersecurity and information assurance support services by the General Services Administration?

The General Services Administration (GSA), particularly through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), consistently spends significant amounts on IT services, including cybersecurity and information assurance. Historically, GSA has utilized large, multiple-award IDIQ contracts (like the Alliant family of contracts) to provide these services across government. Spending in this area has generally trended upwards over the years, reflecting the increasing importance of cybersecurity and the growing volume of federal data. GSA's role as a central procurement agency means its spending patterns often reflect broader government-wide needs and priorities in IT modernization and security. Analyzing GSA's historical obligations for NAICS code 541512 and related cybersecurity service codes would reveal trends in contract values, number of awards, and dominant contract vehicles.

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

Solicitation ID: ID09160027

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1768 BUSINESS CENTER DR STE 200, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,993,938

Exercised Options: $24,993,938

Current Obligation: $24,988,938

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 53

Total Subaward Amount: $47,382,957

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06F0600Z

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline