DOI awards $2.1M for ECOS O&M, with ACCELGOV LLC securing the custom programming services contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,127,492 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Accelgov LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-02-01

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 758 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: FWS DIV OF BGT&TECHL SPPRT - ECOS O&M SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22041

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.1 million to ACCELGOV LLC for work described as: FWS DIV OF BGT&TECHL SPPRT - ECOS O&M SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.13 million over approximately two years suggests a moderate investment in essential IT operations. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process, which can lead to better pricing. 3. The contract is for custom computer programming services, aligning with the need for specialized IT support within the agency. 4. Performance is measured by labor hours, a common metric for service-based IT contracts. 5. The contract's duration of approximately 2.6 years provides a stable period for service delivery and performance evaluation. 6. The award to ACCELGOV LLC, a single entity, highlights the importance of specialized capabilities in this niche.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.13 million for ECOS O&M services appears reasonable given the scope of custom computer programming and ongoing operational support. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts for federal agencies of comparable size and complexity would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the absence of specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns in the provided data makes a definitive comparison challenging. The contract's focus on labor hours suggests a flexible approach to service delivery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors were eligible to bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can drive down costs and improve service quality. The agency sought proposals from a wide range of qualified contractors, indicating a commitment to exploring the market for the best available solution.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price, preventing potential overspending associated with less competitive or sole-source awards.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) benefits directly through the continued operation and maintenance of its ECOS system. This contract ensures the availability of critical IT infrastructure and custom programming services necessary for FWS operations. The services delivered are essential for managing environmental data and supporting conservation efforts nationwide. The geographic impact is national, as the ECOS system likely supports FWS activities across all regions of the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be engaged in supporting a vital environmental agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's efficiency and effectiveness beyond labor hours.
The reliance on labor hours for payment could incentivize longer task durations if not carefully managed by the agency.
Without detailed cost breakdowns, it's challenging to verify the reasonableness of the hourly rates or overall project costs.
The specific nature of 'custom computer programming' can sometimes lead to scope creep if not tightly defined and managed.
Limited information on the contractor's past performance on similar federal contracts hinders a comprehensive risk assessment.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract duration of over two years provides a stable period for service delivery and relationship building.
The focus on ECOS O&M indicates support for a critical system within the Department of the Interior.
The contract is for specialized custom computer programming, implying the contractor possesses relevant technical expertise.
The agency's selection of a specific NAICS code (541511) suggests a clear understanding of the required IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and operational support. The federal IT services market is vast, with agencies consistently investing in software development, maintenance, and system integration. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT operations and maintenance contracts within agencies like the Department of the Interior often range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the complexity and criticality of the systems supported. This contract's value aligns with typical investments for maintaining specialized environmental data systems.

Small Business Impact

The provided 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 benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting larger, established firms were likely participants. Analysis of subcontracting plans, if any were required for this contract, would be necessary to determine potential downstream impacts on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which publish award details. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General would have oversight authority over potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Operations and Maintenance
Custom Software Development Services
Environmental Data Management Systems
Department of the Interior IT Contracts
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service IT Support

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in custom programming.
Reliance on labor hours requires diligent agency oversight.
Limited public information on contractor's specific past performance.
Data security and integrity risks inherent in IT systems.
Ensuring long-term system maintainability and scalability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.1 million to ACCELGOV LLC. FWS DIV OF BGT&TECHL SPPRT - ECOS O&M SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCELGOV LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-01. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the track record of ACCELGOV LLC in performing similar federal IT services contracts, particularly those involving custom programming and system operations?

A thorough review of ACCELGOV LLC's past performance is crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this ECOS O&M contract. This would involve examining previous federal contract awards to the company, focusing on contracts with similar scopes of work, such as custom computer programming (NAICS 541511) and IT operations and maintenance. Key areas to investigate include their performance ratings on past contracts, any instances of contract disputes or terminations, and their ability to meet deadlines and budget constraints. Understanding their experience with environmental data systems or similar complex platforms would also be highly relevant. Without access to detailed past performance information or agency evaluations, it is difficult to definitively gauge their track record for this specific award.

How does the awarded value of $2.13 million compare to the market rates for similar custom computer programming and IT O&M services for federal agencies?

The awarded value of $2.13 million for approximately 2.6 years of service (February 2024 - February 2026) translates to an estimated annual cost of roughly $819,000. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies for comparable IT services, considering factors like the complexity of the system, the required skill sets, and the labor categories involved. Federal procurement data often shows a wide range for such services, but contracts for specialized custom programming and ongoing system maintenance can easily reach hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars annually. The fact that this contract was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the pricing was deemed competitive within the market, although a precise per-hour rate comparison or a detailed cost breakdown would be needed for a definitive assessment of value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep in custom programming, challenges in maintaining legacy systems (if applicable to ECOS), ensuring data security and integrity, and potential performance issues if the contractor lacks adequate expertise or resources. Mitigation strategies likely involve clearly defined contract statements of work, robust project management by both the agency and the contractor, regular performance reviews, and adherence to strict security protocols. The use of labor hours as a payment metric necessitates diligent oversight by the agency to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns. Furthermore, the full and open competition award process itself serves as a risk mitigation tool by selecting a vendor presumed to be capable and competitively priced.

How effective is the ECOS system, and how critical is its continued operation and maintenance to the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

The ECOS (Ecological Classification and Information System) is a critical component for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), serving as a platform for managing ecological data, supporting conservation planning, and informing wildlife management decisions. Its continued operation and maintenance are vital for the FWS to fulfill its mandate of conserving fish, wildlife, and their habitats. The system likely houses extensive datasets related to species, ecosystems, and environmental conditions, which are essential for research, policy development, and operational activities across the agency. Therefore, ensuring the reliability, security, and functionality of ECOS through dedicated IT support and custom programming is directly linked to the FWS's ability to effectively carry out its conservation mission nationwide.

What has been the historical spending pattern for ECOS O&M services or similar IT support within the Department of the Interior?

Analyzing historical spending for ECOS O&M or comparable IT support within the Department of the Interior (DOI) is essential for contextualizing the current $2.13 million award. This would involve examining prior contracts for the ECOS system or similar IT infrastructure and software maintenance services awarded by the FWS or other DOI bureaus over the past several years. Trends in spending, including fluctuations in contract values, changes in awarded contractors, and shifts in the type of services procured (e.g., from break-fix to managed services), can reveal patterns. Understanding this history helps assess whether the current contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical IT functions and whether past spending has yielded consistent value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6701 DEMOCRACY BLVD, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,127,492

Exercised Options: $2,127,492

Current Obligation: $2,127,492

Actual Outlays: $2,010,672

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA21D00DQ

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline