DHA Cybersecurity Support Contract Awarded to Sentar, Inc. for $61.4M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $61,417,998 ($61.4M)
Contractor: Sentar, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-05-23
End Date: 2026-05-22
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $84.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: PROVIDE RISK MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY (DHA) CYBERSECURITY.
Place of Performance
Location: HANAHAN, BERKELEY County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29410
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $61.4 million to SENTAR, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE RISK MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY (DHA) CYBERSECURITY. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Sentar, Inc. for risk management and operations support for DHA cybersecurity. 2. The contract has a value of $61.4 million and a duration of 729 days. 3. This is a Delivery Order under a larger contract, indicating a specific need for services. 4. The sector is IT/Cybersecurity, a critical area for defense operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs. The awarded amount of $61.4M for a 729-day period needs to be benchmarked against similar cybersecurity support contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to yield a fair price for taxpayers, ensuring value for money spent on essential cybersecurity services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical cybersecurity operations for the Defense Health Agency. Supports the agency's mission to provide health services to military personnel and their families. The contract value of $61.4M represents a significant investment in national defense IT infrastructure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs effectively.
- The specific services and deliverables need clear definition to ensure performance.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
- Supports a critical function within the Department of Defense.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the IT and professional services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity. Spending in this area is substantial across the federal government, with benchmarks varying based on the complexity and criticality of the services required.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Navy, acting on behalf of the DHA, is responsible for oversight. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust monitoring of performance and expenditures to ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Need for clear definition of services and performance metrics.
- Reliance on contractor's expertise for critical cybersecurity functions.
- Ensuring continuous adaptation to evolving cyber threats.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, sc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $61.4 million to SENTAR, INC.. PROVIDE RISK MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY (DHA) CYBERSECURITY.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SENTAR, 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 $61.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-23. End: 2026-05-22.
What is the specific scope of 'Risk Management and Operations Support' for DHA Cybersecurity?
This likely encompasses a range of activities including vulnerability assessments, threat analysis, incident response planning, security policy development, and ongoing operational support for cybersecurity infrastructure. The precise details would be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), defining the exact tasks, deliverables, and performance metrics required from Sentar, Inc.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact cost control for this cybersecurity contract?
A CPFF contract reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. While it allows flexibility for evolving requirements, it necessitates strong government oversight to scrutinize costs and prevent overruns. The fixed fee incentivizes efficiency, but the government bears the risk of cost increases.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring the effectiveness of Sentar's cybersecurity support?
Effective KPIs would likely include metrics related to response times for security incidents, reduction in identified vulnerabilities, successful implementation of security controls, compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., NIST), and overall system uptime and security posture. These would be defined in the SOW to ensure measurable outcomes.
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: N6523622R3062
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Sentar Inc.
Address: 675 DISCOVERY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $172,761,870
Exercised Options: $67,304,587
Current Obligation: $61,417,998
Actual Outlays: $3,139,359
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0017819D8496
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-23
Current End Date: 2026-05-22
Potential End Date: 2029-05-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-12
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