DHS Re-awards $1B Cyber Contract to Protect Government Networks

The Homeland Security Department re-awarded a $1 billion contract to support the system that provides cyber protection to agencies across government.

Raytheon will support DHS’ next-generation National Cybersecurity Protection System, known as Einstein, after a series of bid protests from Northrop Grumman since the initial contract award in September 2015.

Raytheon will be the prime contractor and systems integrator for the Development, Operations and Maintenance contract, an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract worth up to $1 billion over five years, it announced Monday.

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Under the DOMino contract, Raytheon will help the DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate develop new and upgraded capabilities, such as intrusion detection and prevention, automation, analytics and information sharing.

Einstein uses a mix of public and government threat indicators to detect malicious traffic, and the third generation features a prevention system that can block the traffic from hitting government networks. All agencies are mandated to use Einstein, though the prevention system caused significant delays and some missed the December deadline. As of March, Einstein 3 Accelerated protects 93 percent of agencies.

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget, however, suggests a $74 million cut to the program. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly recently told the House Homeland Security Committee the department expects to increase Einstein spending in the future.