NOAA awards $14.3M contract for scientific and technical support services to ECS Federal, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,260,965 ($14.3M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NOAA OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ECONOMICS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT BRANCH PROTECH SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $14.3 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: NOAA OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ECONOMICS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT BRANCH PROTECH SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category with various applications. 3. The duration of the contract is 1095 days (3 years), indicating a medium-term need. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The award amount of $14.3 million over three years suggests a significant but not massive investment. 6. The specific NAICS code (541990) covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' indicating a diverse scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.3 million over three years averages to approximately $4.77 million per year. Without specific benchmarks for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for NOAA, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the firm fixed-price structure generally encourages cost efficiency from the contractor. Further analysis would require comparing this to similar contracts for comparable services within NOAA or other agencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests a robust bidding environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method of competition implies multiple interested parties.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the opportunity for the government to receive the best possible pricing and service offerings by engaging a wider pool of potential contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA's scientific and technical programs, which will receive essential support services. Services delivered likely include data analysis, research support, technical consulting, and other specialized professional services. The geographic impact is primarily focused on Maryland, where the contractor is located, but the services may support NOAA operations nationwide. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for professionals in scientific, technical, and administrative fields within ECS Federal, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The broad NAICS code 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' can sometimes lead to scope creep if not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a larger contract structure may limit visibility into the specific tasks and performance metrics.
The firm fixed-price nature, while beneficial for cost control, could incentivize the contractor to minimize effort if not adequately monitored.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
The firm fixed-price contract type aligns government cost expectations and shifts performance risk to the contractor.
The contract duration of three years allows for continuity of essential support services for NOAA's operations.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is a vast and critical component of government contracting. This contract falls under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990), which is a catch-all for services not elsewhere classified. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise, from research and development support to environmental consulting and data analysis. Government spending in this area is substantial, supporting various agencies' missions. Benchmarking would require comparing this contract's value and scope to similar service contracts within NOAA and other scientific agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside (ss). This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, and there are no explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in this data snippet.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by fixing the cost. Transparency would be enhanced through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would likely be that of the Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Scientific Research Support
Federal Scientific and Technical Services
Professional Services Contracts
Department of Commerce IT and Technical Support

Risk Flags

Potential for scope ambiguity due to broad NAICS code.
Need for clear performance metrics and oversight for FFP contract.
Contractor's specific experience with NOAA scientific programs requires verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $14.3 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. NOAA OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ECONOMICS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT BRANCH PROTECH SUPPORT

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 $14.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of ECS Federal, LLC in performing similar scientific and technical support services for federal agencies?

A thorough review of ECS Federal, LLC's contract history would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes or terminations, and the successful completion of similar scope-of-work contracts. Specifically, looking for experience with NOAA or other scientific agencies would provide the most relevant context. Without access to detailed past performance data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise in this specific domain. However, winning a full and open competition contract suggests they met the initial qualifications and demonstrated capability to the agency.

How does the average annual cost of this contract ($4.77 million) compare to similar NOAA contracts for scientific and technical support?

To benchmark the average annual cost of $4.77 million, a comparative analysis of similar contracts awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' would be required. This analysis should consider contracts with comparable durations, scope of work, and complexity. Factors such as the specific technical expertise required, the level of support (e.g., research, data analysis, operational support), and the prevailing market rates for such services would influence the comparison. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts and their pricing, a definitive assessment of whether this represents good value for money is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests an effort to establish a clear cost ceiling.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These are critical components that define the expected quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of the services to be delivered by ECS Federal, LLC. Typically, for scientific and technical support contracts, KPIs might include metrics related to data accuracy, report turnaround times, successful completion of research tasks, or adherence to scientific protocols. SLAs would outline the expected response times and resolution procedures for any issues that arise. The absence of this information in the summary data limits the ability to assess performance expectations and accountability.

What is the potential risk associated with the broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code?

The primary risk associated with the broad NAICS code 541990 ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services') is the potential for ambiguity in the scope of work. This 'catch-all' category can encompass a wide array of services, which, if not meticulously defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), could lead to misunderstandings, scope creep, or disputes between the government and the contractor. Ensuring clear deliverables, specific tasks, and measurable outcomes is crucial to mitigate this risk. Effective contract management and oversight are paramount to ensure that the services provided align precisely with NOAA's needs and that the contractor is held accountable for the agreed-upon services.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type impact cost control and contractor performance?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally favored for its cost control benefits. Under an FFP agreement, the contractor agrees to a total price for a well-defined scope of work, and this price is not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. This shifts the financial risk from the government to the contractor, incentivizing the contractor to manage costs efficiently and perform the work within the agreed-upon budget. For NOAA, this means a predictable expenditure for the services rendered. However, it's crucial that the scope of work is clearly defined to prevent the contractor from cutting corners to maximize profit, which could compromise performance quality. Robust performance monitoring remains essential.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

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, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,740,577

Exercised Options: $15,613,092

Current Obligation: $14,260,965

Actual Outlays: $8,418,112

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M418DNFFK0012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline