ECS Federal LLC awarded $5.98M NOAA contract for OST ST4 assessment, monitoring, and collaboration support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,984,227 ($6.0M)

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: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OST ST4 ASSESSMENT, MONITORING AND COLLABORATION SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $6.0 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: OST ST4 ASSESSMENT, MONITORING AND COLLABORATION SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The duration of 1095 days (3 years) indicates a medium-term need for these services. 4. The award is a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category. 6. The contract value is relatively modest for federal IT and technical services, suggesting a focused scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.98 million over three years averages to approximately $1.99 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for 'OST ST4 assessment, monitoring and collaboration support,' it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the award through full and open competition suggests that pricing was likely scrutinized against multiple proposals. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and do not escalate beyond initial expectations.

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 a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, allowing the agency to select the best value proposal. The open competition is a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more competitive pricing, benefiting taxpayers by potentially lowering the overall cost of services compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) benefits from enhanced assessment, monitoring, and collaboration capabilities. The contract supports critical scientific and technical services within the Office of Strategic Technology (OST). The services delivered are expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of NOAA's operations. The primary geographic impact is within the agency's operational areas, likely centered around NOAA facilities. Workforce implications may include the utilization of specialized technical and analytical personnel by ECS Federal, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored and managed.
Lack of specific details on performance metrics makes it challenging to assess the quality of services delivered.
The broad NAICS code (541990) might indicate a less specialized service, potentially leading to less competitive pricing if not well-defined.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract duration of three years provides stability for the contractor and ensures continuity of services for NOAA.
ECS Federal, LLC is a known entity in the federal contracting space, potentially indicating a track record of performance.

Sector Analysis

The federal professional, scientific, and technical services sector is vast, encompassing a wide range of specialized support for government agencies. NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' represents a broad category for services not classified elsewhere. This contract likely falls within the IT and scientific support sub-sectors, where agencies like NOAA require expertise for data analysis, system monitoring, and collaborative platforms. Benchmarking spending in this specific niche is challenging due to its breadth, but overall federal spending on professional services runs into billions annually.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, ECS Federal, LLC, is likely a mid-to-large-sized business, and their engagement does not inherently involve mandated small business participation goals unless specified elsewhere in the parent IDIQ contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the designated technical points of contact within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As a Delivery Order under a potential IDIQ, the parent contract's oversight mechanisms would also apply. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse, with the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General likely having oversight.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Scientific and Technical Support Services
Department of Commerce IT and Professional Services
Federal Data Assessment and Monitoring Contracts
Collaboration and Communication Support Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Broad NAICS code may indicate a need for clearer scope definition to ensure optimal value.
Lack of specific performance metrics in award data hinders direct assessment of service quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $6.0 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. OST ST4 ASSESSMENT, MONITORING AND COLLABORATION 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 $6.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is ECS Federal, LLC's track record with the Department of Commerce and NOAA?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those with the Department of Commerce and its various agencies like NOAA. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts is crucial. While this specific award is for 'OST ST4 ASSESSMENT, MONITORING AND COLLABORATION SUPPORT,' their broader portfolio might include IT services, scientific support, or data analysis. A review of their contract history would reveal their experience level, past performance ratings (if publicly available), and any significant issues or successes on previous government engagements. This context helps in assessing their capability to deliver on the current requirement effectively and efficiently.

How does the $5.98 million value compare to similar NOAA or Commerce Department contracts for technical support?

The $5.98 million contract value over three years, averaging approximately $1.99 million annually, is a moderate-sized award within the federal IT and professional services landscape. To benchmark its value, one would need to compare it against other NOAA or Department of Commerce contracts for similar services, such as system assessment, monitoring, data analysis, and collaboration support. Factors like the specific technical requirements, the level of expertise needed, and the duration of the contract influence pricing. Awards under full and open competition, like this one, generally provide a basis for comparison, as multiple bids help establish a market rate. However, without granular data on comparable contracts' scope and pricing structures, a precise value-for-money assessment remains challenging.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for these services?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, such as this one, is the potential for cost overruns. 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 management is weak, the contractor may incur more labor hours or material costs than anticipated, leading to a higher final price for the government. Effective oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, validation of work performed, and strict management of material expenses, is critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the contract remains within budget and delivers good value.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process likely to be in ensuring competitive pricing for this NOAA contract?

The 'full and open competition' process is designed to maximize competition and, consequently, drive competitive pricing. By allowing all responsible sources to submit proposals, the government increases the likelihood of receiving multiple offers, which typically leads to lower prices as contractors vie for the award. For this NOAA contract, the effectiveness of the competition in ensuring competitive pricing depends on factors such as the number of bids received, the clarity of the solicitation's requirements, and the overall market demand for the specialized services. While full and open competition is a strong indicator of a fair price, the actual outcome is influenced by the specific dynamics of the bidding environment.

What historical spending patterns exist for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) at NOAA?

Historical spending patterns for NAICS code 541990 ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services') at NOAA can provide valuable context for this contract. This broad category encompasses a diverse range of services, making it essential to identify specific sub-services NOAA has procured historically under this code. Analyzing past expenditures would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services most frequently sought. Understanding this historical spending can help assess whether the current $5.98 million award is consistent with previous investments, potentially indicating stable demand or a shift in priorities. It also aids in identifying key contractors and understanding the competitive landscape over time.

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: $8,058,830

Exercised Options: $6,060,559

Current Obligation: $5,984,227

Actual Outlays: $3,854,835

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