ECS Federal awarded $2.5M for engineering services to support NOAA's CLASS B program

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,541,493 ($2.5M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLASS B SUPPORT OR-26-00067

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.5 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: CLASS B SUPPORT OR-26-00067 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by setting a fixed price. 3. The contract duration is one year, indicating a short-term need for services. 4. The award is a BPA Call, suggesting it's part of a larger framework agreement. 5. The contractor, ECS Federal, has secured this award, indicating their capability in engineering services. 6. The service falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a common category for federal procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.54 million for a one-year period for engineering services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar engineering service contracts for federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the price point is within expected ranges for specialized engineering support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open competition suggests that the agency sought the best value from a wide pool of potential contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for cost savings and improved service quality that arises from a competitive bidding process. Full and open competition increases the likelihood that the government secures services at a fair market price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its CLASS B program, which will receive essential engineering support. The services delivered will likely involve technical expertise to ensure the successful operation and maintenance of the CLASS B program. The geographic impact is centered in Maryland, where the contractor is located. The contract supports the federal government's mission in oceanic and atmospheric research and services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance trajectory.
The one-year duration might indicate a need for frequent re-competition, potentially leading to transition costs.
Limited information on the specific nature of 'CLASS B SUPPORT' hinders a deeper understanding of the service criticality.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
ECS Federal's win indicates they met the technical and cost requirements of the solicitation.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services are a critical component of federal IT, defense, and scientific research sectors. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. This contract, valued at approximately $2.54 million, falls within the typical range for specialized engineering support for government programs. Comparable spending in this category often involves support for complex systems, research initiatives, or infrastructure projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal unless ECS Federal voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Commerce's Inspector General and the contracting officers within NOAA. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Accountability is primarily driven by the firm-fixed-price terms and the potential for future contract awards based on performance.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Research and Development Programs
Federal Engineering Services Contracts
IT and Scientific Support Services
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope leading to cost overruns within fixed price.
Limited contract duration may impact long-term knowledge retention.
Lack of specific performance metrics hinders objective evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.5 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. CLASS B SUPPORT OR-26-00067

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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'CLASS B SUPPORT' and its criticality to NOAA's mission?

The provided data does not detail the specific functions or criticality of the 'CLASS B SUPPORT'. Typically, such support in the context of NOAA could relate to data processing, system maintenance, operational support for satellite or weather systems, or research infrastructure. Understanding the exact nature of CLASS B would allow for a more precise assessment of the engineering services' impact and the associated risks if performance falters. Further investigation into NOAA's program documentation or the contract's statement of work would be necessary to clarify its role and importance.

How does the $2.54 million contract value compare to similar engineering support contracts awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $2.54 million contract value requires comparing it against similar engineering services contracts for federal agencies, particularly those within NOAA or related scientific bodies. Factors such as contract duration (one year), service complexity, and required expertise influence pricing. While $2.54 million for a year of specialized engineering support is not inherently excessive, a detailed comparison with contracts for similar scope and duration, considering the specific technical requirements, would be necessary to definitively assess value for money. Publicly available contract databases can provide such comparative data.

What is ECS Federal's track record with federal contracts, particularly with NOAA?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of securing federal contracts. To assess their track record specifically for NOAA, one would need to examine past awards to the company from this agency. Key indicators include the number of contracts awarded, their value, performance ratings (if available), and the types of services provided. A strong history with NOAA, especially in engineering services, would suggest a lower performance risk for this new award. Conversely, a limited or problematic history might raise concerns about their ability to meet NOAA's needs effectively.

What are the potential risks associated with a one-year, firm-fixed-price contract for engineering services?

A primary risk with a one-year, firm-fixed-price contract is the potential for scope creep if the requirements are not clearly defined, which could strain the fixed price. Another risk is that the contractor might cut corners on quality to maintain profitability if costs exceed expectations. For the government, there's also the risk of losing institutional knowledge if the contract is not renewed and a new contractor is brought in. The short duration also necessitates frequent re-competition, which can be resource-intensive for the agency.

How does the 'BPA CALL' award type influence the overall contract structure and potential for future spending?

A BPA Call (Blanket Purchase Agreement Call) indicates that this contract is an order placed against an existing BPA. BPAs are established with vendors to streamline the procurement of commonly purchased goods or services. This means that the foundational terms and conditions, and potentially pricing, were negotiated when the BPA was established. A BPA Call suggests that NOAA has a pre-existing relationship and agreement with ECS Federal. While this specific call is for $2.54 million over one year, the underlying BPA could allow for additional calls and future spending, depending on its terms and remaining duration.

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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $5,346,546

Exercised Options: $2,541,493

Current Obligation: $2,541,493

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M222ANMAN0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline