Army Cybersecurity Services contract awarded to High Prairie Services, LLC for over $12.5M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,517,979 ($12.5M)

Contractor: High Prairie Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-02-17

End Date: 2026-06-11

Contract Duration: 1,210 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ARMY CYBERSECURITY SERVICES (ACYS)

Place of Performance

Location: OMAHA, DOUGLAS County, NEBRASKA, 68108

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.5 million to HIGH PRAIRIE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: ARMY CYBERSECURITY SERVICES (ACYS) Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm-fixed-price structure and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a long performance period requiring careful monitoring. 4. Performance context is within computer systems design services, a critical area for defense. 5. Sector positioning is within the IT services domain for the Department of the Army.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of approximately $12.5 million over its period of performance suggests a moderate investment for cybersecurity services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for computer systems design services within the Department of Defense is necessary for a precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type generally provides cost certainty for the government, but the overall value proposition depends heavily on the quality and effectiveness of the services delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' basis. While this indicates an initial broad solicitation, the exclusion of certain sources prior to the final competition might warrant further investigation into the rationale. The presence of 14 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition among eligible offerors, which typically aids in price discovery and achieving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and encouraged offerors to present their best value propositions to secure the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of the Army, which will receive enhanced cybersecurity services. Services delivered include computer systems design and related support crucial for maintaining network security. The geographic impact is likely focused on Army installations and operations, though the exact locations are not specified. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of personnel by High Prairie Services, LLC and potential indirect impacts on Army IT personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long performance period.
Ensuring consistent service quality across the contract duration.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical cybersecurity functions.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing.
Long-term contract allows for sustained focus on cybersecurity needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. The market for cybersecurity services is robust and growing, driven by increasing digital threats. The Department of Defense is a significant consumer of these services, with substantial annual spending. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other cybersecurity contracts awarded to similar-sized firms within the defense sector.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless High Prairie Services, LLC actively engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program management office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, with payments tied to performance and delivery. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Army Network Modernization Programs
Department of Defense Cybersecurity Initiatives
Information Technology Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of performance degradation or evolving needs.
Competition was 'full and open after exclusion of sources,' requiring understanding of exclusion rationale.
Cybersecurity services are critical and complex, demanding high contractor competency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.5 million to HIGH PRAIRIE SERVICES, LLC. ARMY CYBERSECURITY SERVICES (ACYS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HIGH PRAIRIE SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-17. End: 2026-06-11.

What is the track record of High Prairie Services, LLC in delivering cybersecurity services to the federal government?

Assessing the track record of High Prairie Services, LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving cybersecurity and computer systems design. Information on contract performance ratings, any past disputes or terminations, and the successful completion of similar projects would be crucial. While this contract award indicates they were deemed capable, a deeper dive into their history with agencies like the Department of Defense would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in delivering complex cybersecurity solutions.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar cybersecurity services?

A direct comparison of the awarded price to market rates for similar cybersecurity services is challenging without specific details on the scope of work and service levels. However, the firm-fixed-price nature and the number of bidders (14) suggest a competitive environment that likely drove the price towards market equilibrium. To conduct a thorough benchmark, one would need to analyze industry reports on cybersecurity service costs, consult with subject matter experts, and compare the contract's unit rates (if applicable) or overall value against other government and commercial contracts for comparable services in the same geographic region or sector.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be measured?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this Army Cybersecurity Services contract are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for cybersecurity services, KPIs might include metrics related to threat detection and response times, system uptime, vulnerability remediation rates, compliance with security standards (e.g., NIST), and the successful implementation of security controls. Measurement would likely involve regular reporting by the contractor, audits, and oversight by the Army's contracting officer's representative (COR) or technical point of contact. The contract's statement of work would outline these specific KPIs and their associated measurement methodologies.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the overall cybersecurity posture of the Department of the Army?

This contract is intended to directly enhance the cybersecurity posture of the Department of the Army by providing specialized computer systems design services focused on security. The successful execution of this contract should lead to improved network defenses, better threat mitigation capabilities, and more resilient IT infrastructure. The long duration suggests a commitment to sustained security improvements. However, the actual impact will depend on the contractor's performance, the effectiveness of the implemented solutions, and the Army's ability to integrate these services into its broader cybersecurity strategy.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor's past performance or the nature of the services being procured?

Without access to detailed past performance reviews or specific risk assessments conducted during the procurement, it's difficult to identify concrete risks associated with High Prairie Services, LLC. However, general risks for a contract of this nature and duration include potential contractor underperformance, challenges in adapting to evolving cyber threats, integration issues with existing Army systems, and the possibility of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price model is not strictly adhered to or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' might also imply some pre-identified risks or specific requirements that led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders.

How does this contract fit into the broader landscape of federal cybersecurity spending?

This $12.5 million contract represents a segment of the substantial federal spending on cybersecurity, which has been steadily increasing due to the growing threat landscape. The Department of Defense is consistently one of the largest federal agencies investing in cybersecurity solutions. This specific contract contributes to the Army's efforts within that larger ecosystem. Analyzing its value relative to the total defense budget or overall federal IT spending would provide context, but it is one of many contracts aimed at securing critical government infrastructure and data.

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 - STORAGE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 601 PIERCE ST, OMAHA, NE, 68108

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,438,922

Exercised Options: $14,300,833

Current Obligation: $12,517,979

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCH18D0004

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline