DoD's $8.1M contract for DevSecOps and ISSO support awarded to A Square Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,100,781 ($8.1M)

Contractor: A Square Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-05-15

End Date: 2026-05-14

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS (DEVSECOPS) AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO) SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS SYSTEMS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO). THE SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ISSO AND SUPPORT TO THE BUSINESS SYSTEMS PMO.

Place of Performance

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

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $8.1 million to A SQUARE GROUP LLC for work described as: DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS (DEVSECOPS) AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO) SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS SYSTEMS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO). THE SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ISSO AND SUPPORT TO THE BUSINESS SYSTEMS PMO. Key points: 1. Contract provides critical cybersecurity and development operations support to the Business Systems PMO. 2. A Square Group LLC, a small business, secured this award. 3. The contract has a duration of five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a specific justification for the competition method. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 6. The geographic location of performance is Maryland.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $8.1 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized IT security and development support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for DevSecOps and ISSO services would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Firm Fixed Price structure suggests a defined scope, which can aid in cost control. However, without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This specific procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, likely due to specific requirements or prior performance. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the method suggests a potentially limited pool of qualified offerors. This could impact price discovery compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources may limit the number of potential bidders, potentially leading to higher prices than if all qualified companies could compete. Taxpayers benefit from ensuring specialized expertise is secured, but the cost-effectiveness hinges on the justification for source exclusion.

Public Impact

The Business Systems Program Management Office (PMO) benefits from enhanced cybersecurity posture and efficient development operations. Services delivered include Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) duties and DevSecOps support. The primary geographic impact is Maryland, where the contractor will perform the work. The contract supports the IT workforce by engaging specialized cybersecurity and development professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to ensure it was fully justified and did not unduly restrict competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness and value beyond the price.
The specific nature of DevSecOps and ISSO support requires continuous monitoring to ensure evolving threats are addressed.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs and manage budget predictability.
The five-year duration indicates a stable, long-term need for these critical services.
Award to A Square Group LLC, a small business, aligns with federal small business contracting goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity and software development lifecycle support. The market for DevSecOps and ISSO professionals is highly specialized and in demand due to increasing cyber threats and the need for agile development. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT support services for federal agencies, with costs varying based on the complexity of systems, security requirements, and the level of expertise required.

Small Business Impact

A Square Group LLC is identified as the contractor. While the data indicates the contractor is a small business, it does not specify if this contract was a small business set-aside. If it was not set-aside, the award to a small business is still a positive signal for the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities for other small businesses are included or likely.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Defense's contracting and program management structures. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver defined services within budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) IT Support Contracts
Federal Cybersecurity Services
DevSecOps Implementation Contracts
Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) Support

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical security and development functions.
Need for robust oversight to ensure performance and value under FFP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $8.1 million to A SQUARE GROUP LLC. DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS (DEVSECOPS) AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO) SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS SYSTEMS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO). THE SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE ISSO AND SUPPORT TO THE BUSINESS SYSTEMS PMO.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A SQUARE GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-15. End: 2026-05-14.

What is the specific justification for the 'exclusion of sources' in this 'Full and Open Competition' award?

The justification for 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' typically arises when specific circumstances necessitate limiting the pool of potential offerors, even within a competitive framework. This could be due to unique technical requirements, prior performance on related systems, or the need to leverage specialized knowledge gained from previous work. Without the specific Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) document, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reasons. However, such exclusions are generally intended to ensure the government obtains the best value by contracting with entities possessing highly specific, often proprietary, capabilities or a proven track record with the systems in question. This method aims to balance competition with the need for specialized expertise, potentially mitigating risks associated with less experienced contractors.

How does the $8.1 million contract value compare to similar DevSecOps and ISSO support contracts within the DoD?

Benchmarking the $8.1 million contract value requires comparing it against similar contracts for DevSecOps and ISSO support within the Department of Defense, considering factors like contract duration, scope of services, and contractor size. Contracts for specialized IT security and development operations can vary significantly. A five-year contract of this value suggests an average annual spend of approximately $1.62 million. This figure needs to be contextualized by the specific deliverables, the number of personnel required, and the complexity of the systems being supported. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts with detailed scope and pricing, a precise comparison is challenging. However, this amount appears within a reasonable range for dedicated, long-term support of critical business systems.

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

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues from the contractor (A Square Group LLC), cybersecurity vulnerabilities if DevSecOps and ISSO functions are not executed effectively, and the risk of cost overruns if the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure is not managed tightly. Mitigation strategies include the FFP contract type, which places cost risk on the contractor. The DoD's oversight mechanisms, including contract management and performance monitoring, are crucial for ensuring deliverables are met. Furthermore, the specialized nature of ISSO duties implies adherence to strict security protocols and compliance requirements, which inherently mitigate cybersecurity risks. The 'exclusion of sources' justification, if properly documented, may also mitigate risks by ensuring a contractor with relevant experience is selected.

What is the historical spending pattern for DevSecOps and ISSO support within the Business Systems PMO?

Historical spending patterns for DevSecOps and ISSO support within the Business Systems PMO are not detailed in the provided data. This contract, awarded in May 2021 with an end date in May 2026, represents a significant investment over its five-year term. To understand historical spending, one would need to examine prior contracts awarded to this PMO or its predecessors for similar services. Analyzing past contract values, durations, and competition levels would reveal trends in IT security and development support investments. This could indicate whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable, and whether the procurement strategies have evolved over time. Without this historical context, it's difficult to assess if the current $8.1 million award represents a continuation, expansion, or reduction of previous efforts.

How does the contractor, A Square Group LLC, perform on other federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific past performance of A Square Group LLC on other federal contracts is not provided in the data. A comprehensive assessment of this contract's value and risk would benefit from reviewing A Square Group LLC's track record, including on-time delivery, quality of work, and adherence to budget on previous engagements. Federal procurement systems often contain performance ratings and past performance questionnaires that can offer insights. As a small business, their portfolio might be more focused, but understanding their experience with similar IT security and development support contracts is crucial for evaluating the reliability of this award.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HC104717R0001

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6237 EXECUTIVE BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,559,795

Exercised Options: $8,109,283

Current Obligation: $8,100,781

Actual Outlays: $2,209,544

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC104719D2022

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline