Interior Department awards $2.24M contract for data science support to Essex Management LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,240,978 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Essex Management LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-20

End Date: 2026-09-19

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: DATA SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT (DSCS)

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.2 million to ESSEX MANAGEMENT LLC for work described as: DATA SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT (DSCS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1095 days indicates a medium-term need for these services. 3. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690 points to specialized consulting services. 4. The contract type is 'Delivery Order', implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The vendor, Essex Management LLC, is a single entity for this award. 6. The contract is structured as Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $2.24 million over three years for data science communications support appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data science and communication support within federal agencies is necessary for a definitive value assessment. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs do not escalate beyond initial projections and that the labor rates are competitive.

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 presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing price discovery and ensuring fair market value, the actual number of bidders can influence the competitiveness of the final price.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The Department of the Interior benefits from enhanced data science communication capabilities. Services delivered likely include analysis, reporting, and strategic communication related to data science initiatives. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located. The contract supports specialized professional services, potentially impacting a small number of highly skilled individuals.

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 for scope creep and labor hours.
Limited public information on the specific deliverables makes it difficult to assess performance against expectations.
The relatively small number of bids (3) might indicate limited market interest or a niche service area.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes fair pricing.
The contract is for a defined period (3 years), allowing for structured project management.
The vendor is established, though specific performance history on this type of contract requires further investigation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on data science and communication. This sector is characterized by a high degree of specialization and a mix of large corporations and niche consulting firms. Federal spending in this area supports various agencies' needs for data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination, often involving complex datasets and advanced analytical techniques. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT and professional services categories for government consulting.

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 set-aside provision. The primary contractor, Essex Management LLC, is likely a small or medium-sized business itself, but without further data, its size relative to the overall market cannot be definitively stated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of the Interior's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed performance metrics and financial expenditures are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Data Analytics Services
Scientific and Technical Consulting
Communications Support Services
Professional Services Contracts
Department of the Interior IT and Data Management

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and deliverables.
Moderate competition level (3 bidders) may not guarantee the lowest possible price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.2 million to ESSEX MANAGEMENT LLC. DATA SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT (DSCS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ESSEX MANAGEMENT LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-20. End: 2026-09-19.

What is the specific nature of the 'data science communications support' required by the Department of the Interior under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690), suggesting the support involves translating complex data science findings into understandable formats for various stakeholders. This could encompass creating reports, visualizations, presentations, and strategic communication plans. The goal is likely to enhance the Department's ability to communicate the value and implications of its data science initiatives to policymakers, the public, and internal teams. Without a detailed Statement of Work (SOW), the precise deliverables remain general, but the focus is on bridging the gap between technical data analysis and effective communication.

How does the $2.24 million award compare to typical spending for similar data science consulting services within the federal government?

The $2.24 million award over three years, averaging approximately $747,000 annually, is a moderate-sized contract for specialized consulting. Federal agencies frequently procure data science and communication support. Larger, more complex data science initiatives might involve multi-million dollar contracts over longer periods, often through IDIQ vehicles. Smaller, more focused tasks could be under $100,000. This award appears to be within the typical range for a dedicated, medium-term support effort for a specific agency component, assuming the scope is well-defined and the labor rates are competitive.

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

Time and Materials contracts carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used. This structure can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work is not precisely defined or if contractor performance is inefficient. For data science communications support, risks include scope creep, extended timelines due to unforeseen complexities, and potentially inflated labor hours billed. Effective oversight, clear task orders, and diligent monitoring of hours and expenses are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

What is Essex Management LLC's track record with federal data science or communication support contracts?

Information regarding Essex Management LLC's specific track record with federal data science or communication support contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), other contract awards to the company in similar service areas, and its overall history within the federal contracting space. Understanding their experience with similar T&M contracts and their performance on previous Department of the Interior or related agency projects would be key to evaluating their capability and reliability for this specific award.

How does the 'full and open competition' with 3 bidders impact the value proposition for taxpayers?

Awarding the contract through 'full and open competition' is a positive indicator for taxpayers, as it theoretically allows the widest possible pool of qualified vendors to compete. The fact that 3 bids were received suggests a degree of market interest. While more bidders generally lead to greater price competition, 3 bidders can still result in a competitive price, especially if the requirements are clearly defined and the vendors are vying for future opportunities. The key is whether these 3 bids represented a robust competition that drove the price down to a fair market value, which requires further analysis of the bid details and the final negotiated price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140D0423R0097

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12 PARTRIDGE DR, ESSEX JUNCTION, VT, 05452

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,261,813

Exercised Options: $2,261,813

Current Obligation: $2,240,978

Actual Outlays: $1,633,170

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0421D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline