DoD's $23.5M contract for high assurance computer systems security awarded to Analex Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,490,376 ($23.5M)
Contractor: Analex Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-10-24
End Date: 2021-03-23
Contract Duration: 1,246 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PR 55-4067-17 RTOP 17-005 HIGH ASSURANCE COMPUTER SYSTEMS SECURITY
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20375
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.5 million to ANALEX CORPORATION for work described as: PR 55-4067-17 RTOP 17-005 HIGH ASSURANCE COMPUTER SYSTEMS SECURITY Key points: 1. Contract awarded for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences, specifically computer systems security. 2. The contract duration spans over three years, indicating a significant project timeline. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can introduce cost overrun risks. 5. Analex Corporation is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order. 6. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 points to R&D services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without more context on the underlying contract vehicle and the specific services rendered. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure means the government pays Analex's costs plus a fixed fee, which can sometimes lead to less price discipline compared to fixed-price contracts. However, CPFF is often used for R&D where costs are uncertain. Without comparable delivery orders for similar high-assurance systems security R&D, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult.
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. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but the designation implies a competitive process was initiated. This approach is generally favored for ensuring the government receives the best possible value by considering a wide range of potential contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining competitive pricing and innovative solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and higher quality outcomes.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense benefits from advancements in high-assurance computer systems security. This contract supports research and development in critical areas of national security. The services delivered are expected to enhance the security posture of defense computer systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may include specialized R&D personnel in cybersecurity and systems engineering.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize higher spending if not closely monitored.
- The specific deliverables and performance metrics for this R&D effort are not detailed, making outcome assessment difficult.
- Reliance on a single contractor for this delivery order, despite full and open competition for the parent contract, warrants monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
- The contract addresses a critical need for advanced computer systems security within the DoD.
- The fixed fee component of the CPFF contract provides some level of cost predictability for the government.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541712). This sub-sector often involves significant investment in innovation and specialized expertise. The Department of Defense is a major investor in R&D, particularly in areas critical to national security, such as advanced computing and cybersecurity. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other large-scale R&D contracts awarded by defense agencies for similar technological advancements.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation (sb) was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from set-aside requirements for this particular award. However, the prime contractor, Analex Corporation, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight is crucial to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, and any specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues arising during contract performance.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- Cybersecurity Research Contracts
- High Assurance Systems Development
- Information Technology R&D
- Naval Research Laboratory Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data makes outcome assessment difficult.
- Potential for contractor to focus on cost reimbursement rather than efficiency in R&D.
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-navy, research-and-development, computer-systems-security, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, analex-corporation, district-of-columbia, naics-541712
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.5 million to ANALEX CORPORATION. PR 55-4067-17 RTOP 17-005 HIGH ASSURANCE COMPUTER SYSTEMS SECURITY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ANALEX CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-10-24. End: 2021-03-23.
What is Analex Corporation's track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in R&D for computer systems security?
Assessing Analex Corporation's track record requires a deeper dive into their contract history with the Department of Defense (DoD). While this specific award highlights their involvement in high-assurance computer systems security R&D, their broader performance across other DoD contracts, especially those involving similar technical complexities and contract types (like Cost Plus Fixed Fee), would provide a more comprehensive view. Information on past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, or successful project completions would be crucial. Without access to a detailed contract performance database or specific past performance reviews for Analex, it's difficult to definitively characterize their overall track record beyond this single award.
How does the $23.5 million value of this delivery order compare to similar R&D contracts for computer systems security within the DoD?
Comparing the $23.5 million value of this delivery order requires context on the scope and duration of similar R&D efforts. High-assurance computer systems security is a specialized and often costly field, involving complex research and development. If this delivery order represents a significant portion of a larger contract vehicle, its value might be considered moderate. However, if it stands alone or is one of several smaller orders, it could be substantial. Benchmarking against other DoD R&D contracts in cybersecurity, particularly those awarded under NAICS code 541712, would reveal whether this amount is typical, high, or low for the services procured. The duration of 1246 days (approx. 3.4 years) suggests a substantial, long-term research effort, which would justify a higher contract value.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D in computer systems security?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D in computer systems security revolve around cost control and contractor incentive. For the government, the risk is that the contractor may not have a strong incentive to control costs rigorously, as all allowable costs are reimbursed. This can lead to cost overruns, especially in R&D where the scope and final costs are inherently uncertain. The 'fixed fee' component provides some predictability, but the contractor's focus might shift towards maximizing cost reimbursement rather than achieving the most efficient outcome. For the contractor, the risk lies in accurately estimating the costs and the fixed fee to ensure profitability, especially if unforeseen technical challenges arise or if the government's requirements change significantly.
How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring value for money for specialized R&D contracts like this one?
The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money, even for specialized R&D contracts. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, it fosters a wider pool of potential solutions and encourages competitive pricing. For R&D in computer systems security, this means the DoD can access a broader range of innovative approaches and specialized expertise. The effectiveness, however, depends on how well the solicitation is structured to attract qualified bidders and how thoroughly proposals are evaluated against technical merit and cost. While it increases the likelihood of finding the best value, the complexity of R&D can make direct cost comparisons challenging, often requiring a strong emphasis on technical evaluation criteria.
What are the potential implications of this contract on the advancement of high-assurance computer systems security for national defense?
This contract has significant potential implications for advancing high-assurance computer systems security for national defense. By funding dedicated R&D efforts, the DoD aims to develop next-generation security solutions that can protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data from evolving cyber threats. The research could lead to breakthroughs in areas such as secure software development, intrusion detection, data encryption, and resilient system architectures. Successful outcomes from this contract could enhance the overall cybersecurity posture of defense systems, reduce vulnerabilities, and provide a technological edge against adversaries. The long-term impact depends on the successful transition of research findings into deployable technologies and operational security practices within the military.
Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined in this contract that allow for assessment of program effectiveness?
The provided data snippet for PR 55-4067-17 does not detail specific performance metrics or deliverables. While the contract is for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)' with a focus on 'HIGH ASSURANCE COMPUTER SYSTEMS SECURITY,' the exact milestones, technical objectives, and expected outcomes are not specified. Assessing program effectiveness would require access to the full contract statement of work (SOW), which typically outlines these crucial elements. Without such details, it is impossible to quantitatively or qualitatively measure the success or effectiveness of the R&D effort undertaken by Analex Corporation under this delivery order.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 14295 PARK MEADOW DR STE 500, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,926,710
Exercised Options: $27,926,710
Current Obligation: $23,490,376
Actual Outlays: $562,346
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 36
Total Subaward Amount: $12,863,515
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0017316D2009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-10-24
Current End Date: 2021-03-23
Potential End Date: 2021-03-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-09
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