DoD's $14.8M Web Content Filtering Contract Awarded to CGI Federal Inc. Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,849,653 ($14.8M)

Contractor: CGI Federal Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-04-01

End Date: 2020-10-01

Contract Duration: 2,010 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF WEB CONTENT FILTERING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.8 million to CGI FEDERAL INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF WEB CONTENT FILTERING SUPPORT Key points: 1. The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type indicates that the price was set at the time of award, transferring some risk to the contractor. 3. The contract duration spans over five years, from April 2015 to October 2020. 4. The award was a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to 'Other Computer Related Services,' a broad category. 6. The contract was awarded to CGI Federal Inc., a known entity in the federal contracting space. 7. The contract was awarded in Maryland, a hub for federal IT contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The total value of $14.8 million over five years averages to approximately $2.97 million per year. This figure needs to be assessed against the scope and complexity of web content filtering services provided to the Department of Defense. Without details on the number of users, the extent of filtering required, or the specific technologies employed, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests a degree of cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically involves a formal solicitation process where multiple vendors can compete. The presence of three bids (no=3) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While competition is generally positive, the exact number of bidders doesn't always reflect the intensity of the competition or the quality of the proposals received.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings. A competitive process helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense is the primary beneficiary, receiving web content filtering support. This service likely contributes to network security and compliance by managing access to online content. The geographic impact is centered around the Department of Defense's operations, primarily within Maryland where the contract was awarded. The contract supports IT services roles within CGI Federal Inc. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the web content filtering.
The broad NAICS code (541519) offers limited insight into the specific technical services rendered.
The contract's value and duration are substantial, necessitating robust oversight to ensure continued value.
Information on the specific technologies or platforms used for web content filtering is not readily available.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract was awarded to a known contractor, CGI Federal Inc., which may imply a level of established performance.
The contract duration of over five years suggests a stable, long-term requirement for these services.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within government contracting, is highly competitive. Web content filtering falls under the broader category of cybersecurity and network management services. The market for these services is driven by increasing cybersecurity threats and the need for organizations, especially government agencies, to control access to information and maintain network integrity. Spending in this area is significant, with agencies allocating substantial budgets to secure their networks and comply with regulations. This contract represents a portion of the DoD's overall IT spending on network security solutions.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication from the provided data that this contract involved small business set-asides or specific subcontracting goals for small businesses. The contract was awarded to CGI Federal Inc., a large business. Without further information on subcontracting plans or performance, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) or the relevant component within the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). As a delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ, oversight mechanisms would be tied to the parent contract's structure. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability would be enforced through contract terms, performance reviews, and potential remedies for non-performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) IT Services
Department of Defense Cybersecurity Contracts
Federal Network Security Solutions
Web Filtering and Content Management Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the broad service category.
Risk of technological obsolescence in web filtering solutions over the contract's five-year term.
Dependence on contractor performance for critical network security functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.8 million to CGI FEDERAL INC.. IGF::CT::IGF WEB CONTENT FILTERING SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CGI FEDERAL INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-04-01. End: 2020-10-01.

What specific web content filtering technologies and services were provided under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact web content filtering technologies or services rendered. The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is very broad. Typically, web content filtering involves software or hardware solutions that monitor, control, and report on the use of web and email resources. This can include blocking access to certain websites or categories of websites, filtering specific content, and enforcing acceptable use policies. For the Department of Defense, these services are critical for maintaining network security, preventing malware infections, and ensuring compliance with security protocols. Without more detailed contract documentation, the precise technical implementation remains unknown.

How does the $14.8 million contract value compare to similar web content filtering contracts within the DoD or other federal agencies?

Comparing the $14.8 million value requires context regarding the scope and duration. This contract spanned over five years (April 2015 - October 2020), averaging approximately $2.97 million annually. This annual figure is moderate for large-scale enterprise web filtering solutions, especially for an organization as vast as the Department of Defense. Larger, more comprehensive cybersecurity or network management contracts can easily reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars annually. However, without knowing the specific number of users supported, the geographic reach, or the required level of filtering sophistication, a direct comparison is difficult. It suggests a significant but not necessarily top-tier investment in this specific service area for the period.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not include information on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. In a typical government contract for IT services, especially those related to security like web content filtering, KPIs and SLAs are crucial for measuring contractor performance and ensuring the government receives the expected value. These might include metrics related to uptime, filtering accuracy (e.g., percentage of malicious sites blocked, percentage of legitimate sites incorrectly blocked), response times for updates, and reporting capabilities. The absence of this information in the summary data makes it impossible to objectively assess the contractor's performance or the effectiveness of the filtering service.

What is the track record of CGI Federal Inc. in providing similar web content filtering or cybersecurity services to the federal government?

CGI Federal Inc. is a well-established government contractor with a broad portfolio of IT services, including cybersecurity and network management. While this specific data point doesn't detail their performance on web content filtering, CGI has historically held numerous contracts across various federal agencies for IT support, system integration, and modernization. Their track record generally includes experience with large-scale IT projects. However, the success and quality of service can vary significantly between contracts. For web content filtering specifically, a deeper dive into past performance reviews, contract terminations, or awards for similar services would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record in this niche.

Were there any notable risks or challenges identified during the performance of this contract?

The provided summary data does not explicitly list any identified risks or challenges encountered during the performance of this contract. Government contracts, especially those involving complex IT services over extended periods, often face potential risks such as evolving threat landscapes, technological obsolescence, integration issues with existing systems, or contractor performance deficiencies. Without specific details from contract performance reports, IG audits, or contract modification histories, it's impossible to identify any specific risks or challenges that materialized during the execution of this $14.8 million web content filtering contract.

How has federal spending on web content filtering services evolved since this contract's completion in October 2020?

Federal spending on cybersecurity and related services, including web content filtering, has generally increased significantly since October 2020, driven by heightened cybersecurity threats, major data breaches, and executive orders mandating improved federal cybersecurity. Agencies are increasingly adopting more sophisticated, integrated security solutions beyond basic filtering. While specific spending on 'web content filtering' as a standalone category might be harder to isolate due to consolidation into broader cybersecurity suites, the overall trend points towards greater investment in network security infrastructure and services. This includes advanced threat detection, zero-trust architectures, and cloud-based security solutions, which often encompass or supersede traditional web filtering.

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

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Timken Company

Address: 12601 FAIR LAKES CIRCLE, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,849,653

Exercised Options: $14,849,653

Current Obligation: $14,849,653

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $538,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4797H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline