DoD awards $21.1M contract for Joint Staff J-7 DevSecOps support to Information Systems Solutions, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,125,351 ($21.1M)

Contractor: Information Systems Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-20

End Date: 2026-06-19

Contract Duration: 637 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DEVSECOPS SERVICES SUPPORTING THE JOINT STAFF J-7, ENVIRONMENT OPERATIONS DIVISION

Place of Performance

Location: SUFFOLK, SUFFOLK CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23435

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.1 million to INFORMATION SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: DEVSECOPS SERVICES SUPPORTING THE JOINT STAFF J-7, ENVIRONMENT OPERATIONS DIVISION Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 637 days (approx. 1.75 years) indicates a medium-term need for these services. 3. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can be beneficial for complex projects but requires careful oversight. 4. The award to Information Systems Solutions, Inc. represents a significant investment in specialized IT support for a critical Joint Staff function. 5. The contract's focus on DevSecOps implies a need for integrated security and development practices in the operational environment. 6. The number of bids (5) suggests moderate competition for this specialized service.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $21.1 million over approximately 21 months (637 days) translates to an estimated monthly burn rate of $1 million. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value for money. The CPFF structure means that costs are reimbursed, plus a fixed fee, which can lead to higher overall costs if not managed tightly. Comparing this to similar DevSecOps support contracts for large-scale government operations would be necessary for a more precise assessment of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with five bids received. This indicates that the solicitation was broadly advertised, allowing any responsible source to submit an offer. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a degree of market interest and potential for price discovery. However, the specific nature of DevSecOps support for the Joint Staff J-7 may limit the pool of highly qualified and experienced contractors, potentially influencing the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions, potentially leading to a more cost-effective outcome.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Joint Staff J-7, receiving enhanced DevSecOps services to support their environment operations. The services delivered will likely improve the security, efficiency, and reliability of the Joint Staff's operational environments. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational command structures, with potential implications for national security operations. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of IT and cybersecurity professionals by the contractor, Information Systems Solutions, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The CPFF contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not rigorously monitored, potentially increasing the final cost beyond initial estimates.
The specialized nature of DevSecOps for a joint staff environment may limit the number of truly competitive bidders, potentially impacting price.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical operational environment support could pose a risk if performance issues arise or if the contractor faces financial instability.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors.
The contract specifies a clear period of performance, allowing for structured project management and evaluation.
The focus on DevSecOps aligns with modern cybersecurity best practices for software development and deployment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) and Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on DevSecOps. The IT services market supporting the federal government is substantial, with significant spending on software development, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure. DevSecOps, integrating security into the development lifecycle, is a growing area of demand as agencies prioritize secure and agile software delivery. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve looking at other large-scale IT support contracts for defense agencies or critical infrastructure operations, considering the specialized skill sets required.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Information Systems Solutions, Inc. is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific requirements, which would contribute to the small business ecosystem. The extent of subcontracting to small businesses would need further investigation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy, acting as the contracting agency for the Department of Defense. Mechanisms for oversight would include regular progress reports, performance reviews, and audits of incurred costs to ensure compliance with the contract terms and to manage the fixed fee. Transparency is typically maintained through contract databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Joint Staff J-7 Operations Support
Department of Defense IT Services
DevSecOps Implementation Contracts
Engineering Services for Government
Information Systems Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage potential cost escalations.
Specialized nature of DevSecOps may limit the pool of highly qualified bidders.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions carries inherent risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.1 million to INFORMATION SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC.. DEVSECOPS SERVICES SUPPORTING THE JOINT STAFF J-7, ENVIRONMENT OPERATIONS DIVISION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INFORMATION SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-20. End: 2026-06-19.

What is the track record of Information Systems Solutions, Inc. in delivering similar DevSecOps services to federal agencies?

Information Systems Solutions, Inc. (ISS) has a history of providing IT and engineering services to the federal government. While the provided data does not detail specific DevSecOps project successes or failures, ISS has been awarded numerous contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Defense. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations, and client testimonials would be necessary to fully assess their track record specifically in DevSecOps for complex environments like the Joint Staff. Reviewing their capabilities in areas such as CI/CD pipeline development, automated security testing, and infrastructure as code would provide further insight into their suitability for this particular contract.

How does the estimated cost per day for this contract compare to industry benchmarks for DevSecOps support?

The contract value of $21.1 million over approximately 637 days results in an estimated daily cost of roughly $33,124. This figure represents the total contract value divided by the duration and does not isolate labor or specific service costs. Benchmarking this requires detailed cost breakdowns, which are not provided. However, DevSecOps support for high-level government operations involves specialized expertise in cybersecurity, software engineering, and cloud infrastructure, often commanding premium rates. Comparing this daily rate to publicly available data on similar government IT support contracts, adjusted for complexity and security requirements, would be necessary. Without such granular data, a precise comparison is challenging, but the rate appears within the expected range for specialized federal IT services.

What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this DevSecOps support?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract type for DevSecOps support is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor's fee is fixed, the government reimburses allowable costs. If the contractor's costs exceed projections due to inefficiencies, scope creep, or unforeseen technical challenges, the total expenditure for the government can increase significantly. This necessitates robust government oversight to scrutinize all claimed costs and ensure they are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. Another risk is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to a fixed-price contract, as their profit margin is predetermined. Effective management and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the overall cybersecurity posture of the Joint Staff J-7?

This contract is specifically aimed at providing DevSecOps services, which inherently focus on integrating security practices throughout the software development lifecycle. By supporting the Joint Staff J-7's environment operations division, the contractor is expected to enhance the security of the systems and applications used. This could involve implementing automated security testing, secure coding practices, vulnerability management, and continuous monitoring. A successful execution of this contract should lead to a more resilient and secure operational environment, reducing the attack surface and mitigating potential cyber threats against critical Joint Staff functions. The effectiveness will depend on the contractor's expertise and the government's oversight.

How does the number of bids (5) reflect the level of competition for specialized DevSecOps services in the federal market?

Receiving five bids for this contract suggests a moderate level of competition. In the federal IT contracting space, particularly for highly specialized services like DevSecOps tailored for critical government functions, the pool of qualified bidders can be limited. Five bids indicate that the solicitation was attractive enough to draw interest from several capable firms, allowing for some degree of price and technical solution comparison. However, it may not represent the highest level of competition achievable if the requirements were more broadly applicable or less technically demanding. The quality and experience of these five bidders would be a more significant factor than the raw number in determining the ultimate value obtained.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0018924R3083

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 16305 PROMONTORY CT, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20853

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,503,078

Exercised Options: $22,897,615

Current Obligation: $21,125,351

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D7827

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline