ECS Federal LLC awarded $5.3M NOAA contract for technical and consulting support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,336,324 ($5.3M)

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: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OST ST1 STATISTICS TECHNICAL AND CONSULTING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $5.3 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: OST ST1 STATISTICS TECHNICAL AND CONSULTING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract provides essential statistical and technical support to NOAA's scientific endeavors. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period spans three years, indicating a medium-term commitment for services. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical services. 6. This award represents a modest investment within the broader context of federal scientific support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.3 million over three years appears reasonable for specialized statistical and technical consulting. Benchmarking against similar contracts for scientific support services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and do not escalate due to inefficiencies or scope creep. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the award amount itself does not immediately suggest overpricing.

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 number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency sought a broad range of technical and scientific support, and the competitive nature of the award suggests that multiple firms likely vied for the opportunity, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for receiving the best value through competitive bidding, leading to potentially lower prices and higher quality services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA's scientific divisions, which will receive enhanced statistical and technical support for their research and operational activities. Services delivered include statistical analysis, data management, technical consulting, and potentially software development or system support. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting NOAA's nationwide operations and research initiatives. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of specialized technical and scientific personnel by ECS Federal, LLC, and potentially indirect support for NOAA's internal scientific staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
The broad NAICS code may indicate a wide scope of work, requiring clear performance standards.
Dependence on a single awardee for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract duration of three years allows for continuity of essential services.
ECS Federal, LLC's role in providing technical and statistical support aligns with NOAA's mission.

Sector Analysis

The federal scientific and technical consulting services sector is vast, encompassing a wide array of specialized expertise. This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a category that consistently sees significant federal investment. NOAA, as a key agency for climate, weather, and oceanographic research, relies heavily on such support to process complex data and advance scientific understanding. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts awarded for similar scientific support services across agencies like NASA, NSF, and NIH, which often require advanced statistical and analytical capabilities.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to ECS Federal, LLC and does not appear to have a small business set-aside component (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this specific award. However, as a prime contractor, ECS Federal, LLC may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their business strategy, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. They will be responsible for monitoring performance, approving invoices, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The Time and Materials nature of the contract necessitates particularly close scrutiny of labor hours and costs. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, and any significant issues or disputes would likely be managed through established agency procurement regulations and potentially involve the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for protests or appeals.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Scientific Support Services
Federal Statistical Consulting Contracts
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Commerce IT and Technical Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Broad NAICS code requires clear definition of services and diligent oversight.
Dependence on contractor for specialized scientific and technical support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $5.3 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. OST ST1 STATISTICS TECHNICAL AND CONSULTING 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 $5.3 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 government contracts?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of performing government contracts, particularly within the scientific and technical services domain. A review of federal procurement data indicates past awards for various support services to agencies including NOAA, NASA, and others. Their experience often involves data analysis, IT support, and scientific research assistance. Assessing the performance history on these prior contracts, including any past performance evaluations or reported issues, is crucial for understanding their capability to successfully execute this current $5.3 million award. Specific details on past performance ratings and any contract modifications or disputes would provide a more comprehensive picture of their reliability and effectiveness as a contractor.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar NOAA contracts for technical and consulting support?

The $5.3 million award for three years of statistical and technical consulting support to NOAA is a moderate-sized contract within the agency's overall spending. To benchmark its value, one would compare it to other NOAA contracts awarded under similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541990) for comparable services, such as data analysis, scientific programming, or research support. Factors like contract duration, specific deliverables, and the level of expertise required influence pricing. If similar three-year contracts for comparable scientific support services have been awarded in the range of $1.5 to $2 million annually, then this $5.3 million award (averaging $1.77 million per year) appears to be within a reasonable market range. However, a detailed analysis of the scope of work and required skill sets is necessary for a precise comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this nature?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, such as this one for NOAA, is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if the government lacks robust oversight. For this contract, risks include the contractor billing for excessive hours, inefficient use of resources, or escalating material costs without clear justification. Effective risk mitigation requires strong government oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and material expenses, clearly defined milestones, and prompt identification and resolution of any performance or cost discrepancies.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process likely to be in ensuring value for this specific contract?

The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for federal contracts, as it allows all responsible sources to compete. For this NOAA contract, it suggests that multiple companies likely submitted proposals, leading to competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors. The effectiveness in ensuring value depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria used, and the number and quality of the bids received. If the solicitation clearly defined the required technical expertise and performance standards, and if several capable firms submitted competitive offers, then the process is likely to have yielded good value for taxpayers. The absence of specific bidder numbers or evaluation details limits a definitive assessment, but the chosen procurement method is inherently favorable for value discovery.

What are the potential implications of the broad NAICS code (541990) on contract performance and oversight?

The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is very broad and encompasses a wide range of activities. This breadth can present challenges for both the contractor and the government. For the contractor (ECS Federal, LLC), it means the scope of work could be extensive and varied, requiring adaptability and a diverse skill set. For NOAA, it necessitates extremely clear and detailed performance work statements (PWS) and robust oversight mechanisms to ensure the contractor is performing the specific services required and not deviating into unrelated areas. Effective oversight will depend on well-defined deliverables, measurable performance metrics, and regular communication to manage expectations and ensure alignment with NOAA's scientific objectives. Without precise task definitions within the PWS, there's a risk of scope creep or misinterpretation of requirements.

Industry Classification

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

Offers Received: 1

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,433,259

Exercised Options: $5,568,756

Current Obligation: $5,336,324

Actual Outlays: $4,005,893

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