From: FederalNewsRadio.com
Inside the Reporter’s Notebook: DHS cyber contract awards delayed; musical chairs in federal IT ranks
By Jason Miller
Vendors and agencies alike will have to wait a few extra weeks, at least, before they can dig into the $6 billion continuous diagnostic and mitigation tools and continuous-monitoring-as-a-service contracts.
Vendor sources confirm the Homeland Security Department has delayed the awards under the request for proposals. DHS released the solicitation in December looking for 15 tools and help in 11 task areas to help agencies implement continuous monitoring.
An industry source who is following the contract said the delay is because agencies are reluctant to sign a memorandum of understanding with DHS to use the contract.
DHS received about $180 million in the fiscal 2013 appropriations bill to begin implementing continuous monitoring.
“DHS has the money to buy the dashboard, sensors and access to the company to provide the services, but they are having a challenge to get everyone signed up,” said one industry source, who requested anonymity because they are bidding on the contract. “Agencies are little critical about how DHS will behave once they open up their networks for DHS to come in and look. DHS will tell them how to use the tools and services, and which tools to use.”
A DHS spokeswoman said by email when asked about the procurement delay, “Unfortunately, we can’t comment on pending procurements at this time.”
Industry sources say DHS hoped to make the award in late June or early July.
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