DOJ awards $33.8M contract for administrative management consulting services to ECS Federal, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,846,811 ($33.8M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2020-09-30

End Date: 2025-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: STOR 228

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20535

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $33.8 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: STOR 228 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of 1825 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The services are being delivered in the District of Columbia. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to a focus on management consulting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $33.8 million over five years for administrative management consulting services appears to be within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. However, without specific benchmarks for the exact services rendered and the level of expertise required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs do not escalate beyond initial expectations. Comparing this to similar contracts for management consulting within the Department of Justice or other agencies would provide a clearer picture of its competitiveness.

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 presence of 4 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The fact that multiple firms vied for this contract implies that the market has sufficient capacity and interest in providing these services.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple companies competed to offer the best value. This process helps prevent overpayment and encourages competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice, specifically the Federal Bureau of Investigation, benefits from enhanced administrative management and general management consulting. These services are crucial for optimizing operational efficiency and strategic planning within the agency. The contract's impact is primarily concentrated in the District of Columbia, where the services are being delivered. The contract supports the federal workforce by providing specialized consulting expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, as it reimburses the contractor for actual labor hours and material costs incurred.
The lack of a specific ceiling price or detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance incentives and potential for exceeding budget.
The duration of the contract (5 years) means that potential inefficiencies or cost escalations could have a prolonged impact on the agency's budget.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process that likely resulted in a competitive price.
The selection of ECS Federal, LLC suggests they met the government's requirements and demonstrated capability in administrative management and general management consulting.
The contract's duration implies a stable and ongoing need for these services, suggesting the agency values the support provided.

Sector Analysis

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) is a significant sector within the professional services industry. Federal agencies frequently procure these services to improve efficiency, implement new strategies, and manage complex operations. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise ranging from strategic planning to organizational development. This contract fits within the broader landscape of federal IT and professional services spending, where agencies rely on external expertise to augment internal capabilities and address specialized needs.

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 for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor, ECS Federal, LLC, may choose to subcontract portions of this work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could provide opportunities within the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Performance monitoring, invoice review, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction for this particular contract isn't detailed, the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General has broad authority to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse within the department.

Related Government Programs

Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Grants Management Support, and Business and Special Management Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Potential for Cost Overruns
Need for Robust Oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $33.8 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. STOR 228

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 $33.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-30. End: 2025-09-29.

What is the track record of ECS Federal, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily within the IT and professional services sectors. Analyzing their past performance on contracts with similar scope, such as administrative management, general management consulting, or IT support, would be crucial. This includes reviewing past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes or terminations, and their ability to meet deadlines and budget constraints. A review of their contract history on federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would reveal the types of agencies they have served, the value of previous awards, and their overall performance ratings. Understanding their experience with Time and Materials contracts specifically would also be beneficial in assessing their capability to manage costs effectively under this award.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar federal contracts for administrative management consulting?

The awarded amount of $33.8 million over five years for administrative management and general management consulting services needs to be benchmarked against comparable federal contracts. This involves identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes (541611), durations, and scopes of work awarded to other agencies or within the Department of Justice. Factors such as the level of expertise required, the complexity of the tasks, and the geographic location of service delivery can influence pricing. Without specific details on the deliverables and the contractor's proposed labor mix and rates, a precise comparison is difficult. However, a general market analysis of consulting rates for senior management consultants, project managers, and subject matter experts in the Washington D.C. area would provide a baseline for assessing whether this contract represents good value for money.

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

The primary risk associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used, plus a fixed fee or profit. This structure can lead to higher costs if the contractor's efficiency is low, if the scope of work expands without proper controls, or if labor rates are higher than anticipated. Effective oversight is critical to mitigate this risk. This includes rigorous tracking of labor hours, validation of material costs, and ensuring that the work performed is necessary and directly related to the contract's objectives. Without strong government oversight and clear task definitions, T&M contracts can become significantly more expensive than initially projected.

How effective is the Federal Bureau of Investigation in managing its consulting service contracts?

Assessing the effectiveness of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in managing its consulting service contracts requires an analysis of their procurement policies, oversight mechanisms, and historical performance data. Agencies that effectively manage consulting contracts typically have robust processes for defining scope, selecting qualified contractors, monitoring performance, and controlling costs. This includes having experienced contracting officers and program managers, utilizing performance-based metrics, and conducting regular reviews. Information on the FBI's past success rates with similar contracts, any instances of cost overruns or performance issues, and their utilization of contract vehicles and best practices would provide insight into their management effectiveness. Reviewing reports from the DOJ's Office of Inspector General related to FBI contract management could also offer valuable context.

What are the historical spending patterns for administrative management and general management consulting services within the Department of Justice?

To understand historical spending patterns for administrative management and general management consulting services within the Department of Justice (DOJ), one would need to analyze federal procurement data over several fiscal years. This analysis should focus on contracts awarded under NAICS code 541611 and similar codes, across various DOJ components, including the FBI. Key metrics to examine would include the total annual spending on these services, the number of contracts awarded, the average contract value, the types of contract vehicles used (e.g., IDIQ, task orders), and the primary contractors receiving awards. Identifying trends, such as increasing or decreasing spending, shifts in competition levels, or changes in pricing, would provide valuable context for evaluating current contract awards like the one to ECS Federal, LLC.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

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: $309,080,773

Exercised Options: $111,224,882

Current Obligation: $33,846,811

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F0003W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline