DoD's $24.4M Cyber Policy Augmentation Contract Awarded to Cyber Security Research and Solutions Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,421,225 ($24.4M)

Contractor: Cyber Security Research and Solutions Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-06-25

End Date: 2021-07-08

Contract Duration: 2,205 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF. CYBER POLICY STAFF AUGMENTATION

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.4 million to CYBER SECURITY RESEARCH AND SOLUTIONS CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF. CYBER POLICY STAFF AUGMENTATION Key points: 1. Contract value of $24.4M over approximately 6 years suggests significant investment in cyber policy expertise. 2. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a deliberate selection process. 3. A definitive contract type with a firm fixed price suggests defined scope and predictable costs. 4. The contract duration of 2205 days (approx. 6 years) points to a long-term need for these specialized services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) places this within a broad IT services category. 6. The contractor, Cyber Security Research and Solutions Corporation, has secured a substantial award, indicating potential expertise in the cyber domain.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered. The total award of $24.4 million over six years averages to approximately $4 million annually. This figure needs to be compared against the cost of similar cyber policy augmentation services across government agencies and the private sector. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the overall value for money depends heavily on the quality and impact of the policy support provided. Without performance metrics or comparisons to similar contracts, a definitive assessment of value is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This specific procurement method suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, which limits the ability to fully assess the level of competition. However, the 'full and open' designation implies that multiple responsible sources were considered, which generally aids in price discovery and achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition, even with exclusions, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to solicit the best value from a wide pool of potential contractors, potentially leading to more competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced cyber policy development and implementation. Specialized expertise in cybersecurity policy is delivered to support national security objectives. The contract supports the development of strategies and frameworks to address evolving cyber threats. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized roles within the contractor's organization and the augmentation of government cyber policy staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true impact and effectiveness of the policy augmentation.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause, while potentially justified, warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.
The long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully with performance reviews.
The broad NAICS code 'Other Computer Related Services' might obscure the specific nature of the cyber policy work performed.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The significant contract value indicates a recognized need and investment in critical cyber policy capabilities.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term partnership for ongoing policy support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity policy. The market for cybersecurity services is substantial and growing rapidly due to increasing cyber threats. Government spending in this area is critical for national security and defense. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large contracts for IT policy consulting, cybersecurity strategy development, and expert augmentation services within federal agencies, particularly within the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) was false, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside (ss). This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, and there are no explicit subcontracting implications for small businesses mentioned in this data. The focus appears to be on securing specialized expertise, potentially from larger or more established firms in the cybersecurity domain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within budget. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or reported.

Related Government Programs

DoD Cybersecurity Strategy
Information Technology Services
Cyber Policy Development
National Security IT Contracts
Federal Cybersecurity Augmentation

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Lack of specific performance metrics hinders value assessment.
Broad NAICS code may obscure the precise nature of services.
Long contract duration poses risks of vendor lock-in and relevance drift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.4 million to CYBER SECURITY RESEARCH AND SOLUTIONS CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF. CYBER POLICY STAFF AUGMENTATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CYBER SECURITY RESEARCH AND SOLUTIONS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-06-25. End: 2021-07-08.

What specific cyber policy expertise does Cyber Security Research and Solutions Corporation bring to this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific expertise of Cyber Security Research and Solutions Corporation beyond their company name and the general nature of the contract (Cyber Policy Staff Augmentation). To assess their expertise, one would need to examine their past performance, relevant certifications, key personnel qualifications, and any specific technological or policy domains they specialize in. This information is typically found in contract award justifications, contractor past performance reports, or the company's own corporate profiles and proposals submitted for the contract. Without this, we can only infer that their selection implies they met the government's requirements for cyber policy support.

How does the $24.4 million contract value compare to similar cyber policy augmentation contracts within the DoD or other federal agencies?

Direct comparison of the $24.4 million contract value is difficult without knowing the precise scope and duration of services. However, the average annual value of approximately $4 million ($24.4M / ~6 years) places it as a significant investment. Larger federal agencies, particularly the DoD, often award multi-million dollar contracts for IT and cybersecurity services, including policy development and augmentation. Contracts for strategic cyber planning, threat intelligence analysis, and policy framework development can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and criticality. This contract appears to be in the mid-to-high range for specialized policy augmentation, suggesting a substantial need.

What are the key risks associated with a definitive contract of this nature and duration?

Key risks for a definitive contract of this duration (approx. 6 years) include scope creep, where the project's requirements expand beyond the original agreement, potentially increasing costs or delaying timelines if not managed. There's also the risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly reliant on a single contractor, making it difficult to switch providers or adopt new technologies. Performance degradation over time is another risk, as contractor motivation or capability might wane. Furthermore, changes in government policy or technological advancements could render the contracted services less relevant, necessitating contract modifications or termination. Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving cyber threats and policy needs is crucial.

What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method imply for the government and taxpayers?

This procurement method implies that the government initially intended to compete the contract broadly ('full and open') but subsequently excluded certain sources based on specific, justifiable criteria. This could be due to security requirements, past performance issues, or the need for highly specialized capabilities possessed by only a subset of potential vendors. For taxpayers, this method aims to balance achieving the best value through competition with ensuring that only qualified and appropriate contractors are considered. While it suggests a potentially narrowed field, the 'full and open' aspect indicates that multiple capable sources were still evaluated, which should theoretically lead to competitive pricing and a fair market value.

What is the historical spending pattern for Cyber Security Research and Solutions Corporation with the Department of Defense?

The provided data only pertains to this single contract award. To understand the historical spending pattern of Cyber Security Research and Solutions Corporation with the Department of Defense, one would need to access broader federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS). This would reveal if they have received numerous contracts, the total value of their previous awards, the types of services rendered, and their performance history. Without this broader context, it's impossible to ascertain their established relationship or spending trends with the DoD based solely on this one award.

How does the NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) accurately categorize the cyber policy augmentation work?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is a broad category that encompasses a wide range of IT services not specified elsewhere. While cyber policy augmentation involves computer systems and networks, it's primarily a strategic and advisory function rather than direct IT implementation or maintenance. This code might be used because the work involves analysis, research, and recommendations related to computer systems and security policies. However, more specific codes related to management consulting, research and development, or specialized cybersecurity services might offer a more precise description. The broadness of 541519 suggests the contract could cover diverse activities within the realm of computer services and policy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W52P1J15R0031

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1022 LLANO DRIVE, LA PLATA, MD, 20646

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,421,225

Exercised Options: $24,421,225

Current Obligation: $24,421,225

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline