DoD's $19.1M GAPS Program Aims to Isolate High-Risk Transactions with Provable Security
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,116,886 ($19.1M)
Contractor: Mercury Systems Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-09-18
End Date: 2024-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,931 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE GOAL OF THE GUARANTEED ARCHITECTURE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY (GAPS) PROGRAM IS TO DEVELOP HARDWARE SECURITY AND SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURES WITH PROVABLE SECURITY INTERFACES TO PHYSICALLY ISOLATE HIGH RISK TRANSACTIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: ANDOVER, ESSEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01810
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.1 million to MERCURY SYSTEMS INC for work described as: THE GOAL OF THE GUARANTEED ARCHITECTURE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY (GAPS) PROGRAM IS TO DEVELOP HARDWARE SECURITY AND SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURES WITH PROVABLE SECURITY INTERFACES TO PHYSICALLY ISOLATE HIGH RISK TRANSACTIONS. Key points: 1. Focuses on developing hardware and software architectures for provable security interfaces. 2. Aims to physically isolate high-risk transactions, enhancing overall system security. 3. Contract awarded to Mercury Systems Inc. under full and open competition. 4. Program spans R&D in physical and engineering sciences, excluding nano/biotech.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, common for R&D where final costs are uncertain. The total award of $19.1M over approximately 5 years suggests a significant investment in developing advanced security solutions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair pricing and access to the best available solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to improve national security by securing high-risk transactions, potentially preventing significant financial or data losses in the long run.
Public Impact
Enhances national security by developing advanced physical and software security measures. Could lead to more secure financial and sensitive data transaction systems. Supports innovation in cybersecurity and hardware security architecture.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- The R&D nature means the final outcome and its immediate applicability are not guaranteed.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Focus on provable security interfaces is a strong indicator of technical rigor.
- Long-term duration allows for thorough development and testing.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and addressing complex national security challenges.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and the prime contractor is Mercury Systems Inc. There is no specific indication of small business participation in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), known for its rigorous oversight of cutting-edge research projects. The fixed fee component provides some cost control, but ongoing monitoring is essential.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts.
- R&D projects carry inherent uncertainty in outcomes and timelines.
- Integration challenges with existing defense systems.
- Complexity of achieving and proving hardware/software security interfaces.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $19.1 million to MERCURY SYSTEMS INC. THE GOAL OF THE GUARANTEED ARCHITECTURE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY (GAPS) PROGRAM IS TO DEVELOP HARDWARE SECURITY AND SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURES WITH PROVABLE SECURITY INTERFACES TO PHYSICALLY ISOLATE HIGH RISK TRANSACTIONS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MERCURY SYSTEMS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-18. End: 2024-12-31.
What specific types of high-risk transactions is the GAPS program intended to secure?
The GAPS program aims to secure transactions involving highly sensitive data or critical infrastructure control. This could include financial transactions, classified data transfers, or command and control operations for critical systems. The focus on provable security interfaces suggests a need for verifiable guarantees against tampering or unauthorized access in these high-stakes scenarios.
What are the primary risks associated with developing provable security architectures for physical isolation?
Developing provable security architectures carries inherent risks, including the complexity of achieving mathematical certainty in security proofs, the potential for unforeseen vulnerabilities in hardware or software interactions, and the challenge of integrating these advanced systems into existing infrastructure. The R&D nature also means the technology might not mature as expected or could face significant integration hurdles.
How will the effectiveness of the GAPS program's security solutions be measured and validated?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through rigorous testing, simulation, and potentially formal verification methods to prove the security interfaces. DARPA typically requires detailed milestone reports and demonstrations. Validation will involve assessing the system's ability to withstand simulated attacks and meet defined security objectives for isolating high-risk transactions, ensuring the provable security claims hold true in practice.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: HR001119S0017
Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 50 MINUTEMAN RD, ANDOVER, MA, 01810
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,044,294
Exercised Options: $20,521,660
Current Obligation: $19,116,886
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-09-18
Current End Date: 2024-12-31
Potential End Date: 2024-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-11
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