NOAA awards $3.7M for marine operations support to ECS Federal, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,703,377 ($3.7M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-10-06

End Date: 2026-10-05

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: MARINE OPERATIONS SUPPORT (OR-25-01425)

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $3.7 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: MARINE OPERATIONS SUPPORT (OR-25-01425) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 3. Awarded to ECS Federal, LLC, a contractor with a history of federal service. 4. The contract duration is one year, with potential for extensions. 5. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the primary agency. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 suggests engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.7 million for a one-year period for marine operations support appears within a reasonable range for specialized engineering services. However, without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type introduces inherent risk for cost overruns if not diligently managed and monitored by the agency. Benchmarking against similar NOAA contracts for marine operations support would provide a clearer picture of pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The use of a BPA Call indicates that a pre-existing agreement was leveraged, which can streamline the procurement process. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down prices through market forces and increasing the likelihood of receiving the best value.

Public Impact

The contract directly supports the operational needs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Services provided are expected to enhance marine operations, potentially benefiting scientific research and environmental monitoring. The geographic impact is likely focused on areas where NOAA conducts marine operations, potentially nationwide. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized engineering and technical personnel, potentially benefiting the contractor's employees.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost escalation without strict oversight.
Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor performance proactively.
The BPA Call mechanism, while efficient, might limit the scope of competition for specific task orders if not managed broadly.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Contract duration of one year provides flexibility for NOAA to assess performance before potential extensions.
ECS Federal, LLC has experience in federal contracting, suggesting familiarity with government requirements.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector, particularly as it applies to marine operations, is a critical component of government functions related to environmental science, resource management, and national security. NOAA's reliance on specialized engineering support underscores the importance of this sector in maintaining and advancing its mission. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely based on the complexity and scale of marine operations, but contracts in the multi-million dollar range are common for comprehensive support services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside was not utilized for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for small businesses stemming from a set-aside. The primary contractor, ECS Federal, LLC, will be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements, and any subcontracting decisions would be at their discretion, not mandated by a small business set-aside provision.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily fall under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As a Time and Materials contract, diligent monitoring of labor hours, rates, and material costs will be crucial to ensure cost control and prevent overruns. Transparency will depend on NOAA's internal reporting and contract management practices. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would typically align with the Department of Commerce, under which NOAA operates.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Marine Operations
Engineering Services Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Time and Materials Contracts
Federal IT and Engineering Support

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Potential for Cost Overruns
Scope Definition Clarity
Performance Monitoring Intensity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $3.7 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. MARINE OPERATIONS SUPPORT (OR-25-01425)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-06. End: 2026-10-05.

What is the specific scope of 'marine operations support' covered by this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of 'marine operations support.' However, given the NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) and the agency (NOAA), it likely encompasses a range of technical and engineering services related to NOAA's fleet of research vessels, buoys, sensors, and other marine assets. This could include design, maintenance, repair, technical consulting, data analysis, and system integration for marine platforms and equipment. A thorough review of the BPA Call document and any associated task orders would be necessary to ascertain the precise deliverables and services required.

How does the $3.7 million award compare to historical spending on similar NOAA marine operations support contracts?

Without access to NOAA's historical contract databases or specific details on the scope of work for this $3.7 million award, a direct comparison is challenging. However, NOAA frequently procures engineering and technical support services for its extensive marine operations. Awards in the low to mid-single-digit millions for one-year contracts are not uncommon for specialized support. To provide a robust comparison, one would need to identify prior contracts with similar service descriptions, durations, and agencies, and then analyze their award values, adjusting for inflation and scope differences. The current award appears to be within a typical range for such services.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for marine operations support?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, like this one, is the potential for cost escalation. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, or if project duration extends beyond initial estimates, costs can increase significantly. Effective risk mitigation requires robust government oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, verification of material costs, and strong project management to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent scope creep. Without vigilant management, T&M contracts can become more expensive than anticipated.

What is ECS Federal, LLC's track record with NOAA and similar federal agencies?

ECS Federal, LLC has a documented history of performing federal contracts. While the provided data does not specify their past performance directly with NOAA on marine operations support, their existence as a federal contractor suggests they have experience navigating government procurement processes and delivering services. A deeper dive into federal contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would reveal the extent and nature of their past awards, including any prior work with NOAA or other agencies in similar sectors. Assessing past performance, including any performance evaluations or past issues, is crucial for understanding their reliability.

What performance metrics or KPIs are likely being used to evaluate ECS Federal, LLC's success on this contract?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, for marine operations support involving engineering services, typical KPIs might include on-time delivery of technical reports or analyses, adherence to project schedules, successful resolution of engineering challenges, quality of technical documentation, efficiency of resource utilization (especially relevant for T&M contracts), and overall client satisfaction from NOAA personnel. The effectiveness of these KPIs would depend on how clearly they are defined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) and how rigorously they are monitored by NOAA's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

How does the use of a BPA Call impact the overall cost-effectiveness compared to a standalone competitive procurement?

Using a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call can enhance cost-effectiveness through several mechanisms. BPAs are established with pre-negotiated terms, conditions, and often ceiling prices, which can reduce the administrative burden and time required for individual procurements. This streamlining can lead to lower overall acquisition costs. Furthermore, BPAs often leverage bulk purchasing power, potentially securing better rates than individual contract awards. However, the cost-effectiveness is contingent on the initial BPA negotiation being competitive and the subsequent calls being managed efficiently to prevent scope creep or unnecessary services. For this specific award, the BPA Call likely expedited the process and may have provided favorable pricing due to pre-negotiated terms.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Asgn Incorporated

Address: 2750 PROSPERITY AVE STE 600, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,831,637

Exercised Options: $3,766,419

Current Obligation: $3,703,377

Actual Outlays: $558,825

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M222ANMAN0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline