DoD's $8.75M DevSecOps Environment Contract Awarded to Lufburrow and Company, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,750,026 ($8.8M)

Contractor: Lufburrow and Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-12-06

End Date: 2027-01-01

Contract Duration: 756 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OPERATE, IMPROVE, SUPPORT, AND SUSTAIN A DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS (DEVSECOPS) ENVIRONMENT WITH CONTINUOUS INTEGRATION AND CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT (CI/CD) SOFTWARE PIPELINE.

Place of Performance

Location: HAVRE DE GRACE, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21078

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $8.8 million to LUFBURROW AND COMPANY, INC. for work described as: CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OPERATE, IMPROVE, SUPPORT, AND SUSTAIN A DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS (DEVSECOPS) ENVIRONMENT WITH CONTINUOUS INTEGRATION AND CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT (CI/CD) SOFTWARE PIPELINE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on operating, improving, and sustaining a DevSecOps environment with CI/CD pipelines. 2. Awarded under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type. 3. The contract duration is 756 days, indicating a medium-term engagement. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 suggests a focus on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 5. This contract is a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. The contract was awarded through Full and Open Competition. 7. The primary service area is Maryland (MD).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. CPFF contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. However, the fixed fee component provides some incentive for the contractor to control costs. The total award amount of $8.75 million over approximately two years suggests a moderate investment for establishing and maintaining a DevSecOps environment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. The presence of 4 bids (no) indicates a reasonable level of interest, though a higher number of bidders could potentially drive prices lower. The competition level is generally positive for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ensuring the government receives the best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army, which will receive enhanced DevSecOps capabilities. The contract delivers services to operate, improve, support, and sustain a critical development, security, and operations environment. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland (MD), where the services will likely be performed or managed. The contract supports the development and maintenance of secure software development pipelines, crucial for modern defense systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts require careful oversight to prevent cost escalation.
The specific performance metrics and deliverables are not detailed, making it difficult to assess performance outcomes.
The duration of the contract (756 days) is substantial, requiring ongoing monitoring of contractor performance and adherence to scope.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract aims to improve and sustain a DevSecOps environment, which is critical for modern software development and cybersecurity.
The contractor, Lufburrow and Company, Inc., has secured a significant contract, indicating a level of trust and capability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. This area is crucial for advancing technological capabilities within the Department of Defense. The market for DevSecOps services is growing rapidly as government agencies increasingly adopt agile development and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices to enhance software security and efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other contracts for similar DevSecOps environments or software development support services within the federal government.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside. However, the prime contractor may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could provide opportunities within the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Army contracting officers and program managers. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, rigorous financial oversight is essential to monitor costs against the fixed fee and ensure the contractor is operating efficiently. Transparency will depend on the reporting requirements stipulated in the contract and the agency's commitment to public disclosure of contract performance information.

Related Government Programs

DevSecOps Environment Support
Software Development Pipeline Operations
Continuous Integration/Continuous Development (CI/CD) Services
Research and Development Support Services
Department of the Army IT Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type requires vigilant cost monitoring.
Potential for scope creep in a DevSecOps environment.
Ensuring continuous security integration within the CI/CD pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $8.8 million to LUFBURROW AND COMPANY, INC.. CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OPERATE, IMPROVE, SUPPORT, AND SUSTAIN A DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS (DEVSECOPS) ENVIRONMENT WITH CONTINUOUS INTEGRATION AND CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT (CI/CD) SOFTWARE PIPELINE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LUFBURROW AND COMPANY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-06. End: 2027-01-01.

What is the track record of Lufburrow and Company, Inc. with the Department of Defense or similar agencies for DevSecOps or R&D services?

Assessing the track record of Lufburrow and Company, Inc. requires a review of their past performance on similar contracts. Information regarding their previous work with the Department of Defense (DoD) or other federal agencies on DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, or R&D projects would be crucial. Key indicators to examine include contract completion history, past performance evaluations (if publicly available), any history of contract disputes or terminations, and their demonstrated ability to manage complex technical environments. Without specific historical data on this contractor's performance in similar roles, it is difficult to definitively assess their suitability and reliability for this particular DevSecOps contract.

How does the $8.75 million award amount compare to similar DevSecOps environment contracts within the DoD?

Comparing the $8.75 million award for this DevSecOps environment contract to similar DoD contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. Factors such as contract duration, scope of services (e.g., operations, improvement, support, sustainment), specific technologies involved, and the complexity of the CI/CD pipeline will significantly influence pricing. Generally, contracts for operating and sustaining complex development environments can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scale and criticality. This award appears to be for a medium-sized engagement over approximately two years. A detailed benchmark would necessitate analyzing contracts with similar service levels, contractor experience, and geographic locations.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for DevSecOps services?

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for DevSecOps services revolve around cost control and contractor efficiency. In a CPFF structure, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing their profit. The main risk for the government is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as their profit is fixed regardless of the actual costs incurred. This can lead to potential cost overruns if not managed diligently. For DevSecOps, risks also include ensuring the contractor maintains the highest security standards throughout the development lifecycle and effectively integrates security into the CI/CD pipeline, which requires continuous vigilance and adaptation.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the Department of the Army's software development lifecycle and security posture?

This contract is expected to significantly enhance the Department of the Army's software development lifecycle (SDLC) and security posture by providing dedicated expertise to operate, improve, support, and sustain a DevSecOps environment. A well-functioning DevSecOps environment with robust CI/CD pipelines enables faster, more frequent, and more secure software releases. This means the Army can deploy new capabilities and updates more rapidly while embedding security checks and practices throughout the development process, rather than treating security as an afterthought. The outcome should be more resilient, secure, and up-to-date software systems, reducing vulnerabilities and improving overall mission effectiveness.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition' award mechanism influence the potential for innovation and cost savings in this contract?

The 'Full and Open Competition' award mechanism is designed to foster both innovation and cost savings. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the government broadens the pool of potential contractors, increasing the likelihood of finding innovative solutions and technologies. This competitive pressure also drives down prices as contractors strive to offer the most compelling value proposition. In the context of DevSecOps, this means the Army is likely to benefit from a range of approaches to pipeline development and security integration, potentially leading to more efficient and effective solutions than if the contract were awarded through a more restricted process. The presence of multiple bidders (4 in this case) further supports this competitive dynamic.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) for this DevSecOps contract?

The assignment of NAICS code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology),' to this DevSecOps contract is noteworthy. While DevSecOps and CI/CD are primarily associated with software engineering and IT operations, the R&D classification suggests that the environment being supported may be involved in cutting-edge research, development of new technologies, or advanced engineering projects. This implies that the software developed or supported within this environment might be experimental, highly specialized, or intended for future technological advancements, rather than routine operational software. The contractor's role would thus extend beyond standard IT support to potentially include supporting the research and development lifecycle itself.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 415 PENNINGTON AVE # 200, HAVRE DE GRACE, MD, 21078

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,348,759

Exercised Options: $8,750,026

Current Obligation: $8,750,026

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15P7T19D0077

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline