ECS Federal awarded $75.4M contract for administrative management consulting services to the FBI

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $75,366,467 ($75.4M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2019-04-11

End Date: 2024-09-19

Contract Duration: 1,988 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: STOR 184

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $75.4 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: STOR 184 Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in management consulting for federal law enforcement. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing may introduce cost variability if not closely managed. 5. The specific services fall under administrative and general management consulting, supporting broad operational needs. 6. The award to ECS Federal suggests a positive assessment of their past performance or capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $75.4 million over approximately five years for administrative management consulting services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale consulting contracts for federal agencies suggests this is within expected ranges. The FBI's need for ongoing management support for its complex operations justifies this level of investment. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent potential overruns compared to fixed-price contracts.

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 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, three offers generally provide sufficient market information for price discovery and selection of a qualified contractor.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best value through a competitive process, aiming to secure qualified services at a fair price.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential administrative and management consulting support. Services delivered likely enhance operational efficiency, strategic planning, and resource management within the FBI. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting the FBI's nationwide law enforcement and intelligence gathering functions. The contract supports a workforce of consultants, contributing to the professional services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials pricing if not managed diligently.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond initial projections without adequate oversight.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical management functions could pose a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need and potential for contractor expertise development.
The contractor, ECS Federal, likely possesses relevant experience and a track record in supporting federal agencies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is crucial for government operations, providing expertise to improve efficiency, strategy, and program execution. The market for federal management consulting is substantial, with agencies frequently outsourcing specialized knowledge. This $75.4 million award is a significant allocation within this category, reflecting the FBI's substantial operational needs.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this particular award. However, the prime contractor, ECS Federal, may engage small businesses as subcontractors depending on their internal capabilities and project needs.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the FBI's contracting officers and program managers, ensuring adherence to the contract terms, performance standards, and delivery schedules. Accountability is built into the performance metrics and reporting requirements inherent in management consulting engagements. Transparency is facilitated through the contract award process and public contract databases, though specific internal operational details remain confidential.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement Support Services
Management and Consulting Services
Administrative Support Contracts
Department of Justice Contracts
FBI Operational Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
Need for robust oversight to manage scope and labor hours
Dependence on contractor performance for critical functions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $75.4 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. STOR 184

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $75.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-04-11. End: 2024-09-19.

What is ECS Federal's track record with the FBI and other federal agencies for similar consulting services?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of performing contracts for various federal agencies, including the FBI and other components of the Department of Justice. Their experience often includes providing a range of professional services, such as IT support, program management, and administrative consulting. Analyzing past performance reviews, contract modifications, and any reported issues on previous FBI contracts would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness in delivering similar services. A review of their contract history would reveal if they have successfully managed large-scale, long-term engagements and met performance expectations.

How does the awarded amount compare to historical spending on administrative management consulting by the FBI?

The $75.4 million awarded to ECS Federal represents a significant, multi-year investment in administrative management consulting for the FBI. To benchmark this, one would need to examine the FBI's historical spending trends in the 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS code 541611) category over the past 5-10 years. Comparing this award to the average annual spending or the total value of previous large consulting contracts awarded by the FBI would indicate whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these services. Factors like evolving agency needs, new initiatives, or shifts in outsourcing strategies could explain variations in spending.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract structure is the potential for cost overruns if not managed rigorously. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the cost of materials. This can lead to higher overall costs if project timelines extend, labor hours increase unexpectedly, or material costs fluctuate. For the government, effective oversight is crucial to ensure that the labor hours billed are reasonable and directly related to the work performed, and that material costs are fair market value. Without strong controls, T&M can be less cost-predictable than other contract types.

How does the level of competition (3 bidders) impact the value received by the government?

Having three bidders for this contract suggests a moderate level of competition. While more bidders could potentially lead to lower prices due to increased market pressure, three offers generally provide enough information for the government to assess price reasonableness and select a qualified contractor. This level of competition is often considered adequate to ensure fair market value, especially for specialized services where the pool of qualified bidders might be limited. It strikes a balance between ensuring competitive pricing and avoiding an overly burdensome solicitation process.

What specific types of administrative and general management consulting services are typically included under NAICS code 541611 for an agency like the FBI?

Under NAICS code 541611, services typically encompass a broad range of management consulting activities. For an agency like the FBI, this could include strategic planning, organizational analysis, process improvement, performance management, human capital consulting, budget and financial management advisory, and general operational efficiency improvements. It may also involve advising on best practices for administrative functions, developing internal policies and procedures, and assisting with the implementation of new management systems or technologies to enhance overall agency effectiveness and resource utilization.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined in the contract that indicate how success will be measured?

The provided data does not detail specific performance metrics or deliverables. However, for a contract of this nature and value, it is standard practice for performance to be measured against defined objectives, key performance indicators (KPIs), and specific deliverables outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). These would likely include metrics related to efficiency gains, successful implementation of recommendations, timely reporting, and client satisfaction. The FBI's contracting officer's representatives (CORs) would be responsible for monitoring these metrics and ensuring the contractor meets the agreed-upon standards throughout the contract period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: 3

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: $128,494,804

Exercised Options: $106,286,914

Current Obligation: $75,366,467

Actual Outlays: $73,276,526

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $181,334,323

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F0003W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline