FBI ITID Engineering Support Contract Awarded to Edgewater Federal Solutions for $23.6M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,576,349 ($23.6M)

Contractor: Edgewater Federal Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,308 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FBI ITID

Place of Performance

Location: HYATTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20781

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $23.6 million to EDGEWATER FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FBI ITID Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance FBI's IT infrastructure and data management capabilities. 2. Edgewater Federal Solutions, a known entity in federal IT services, secured this award. 3. The contract duration extends over three years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. Performance is measured through time and materials, requiring careful monitoring of hours and rates. 5. The FBI ITID division is critical for the agency's operational effectiveness. 6. This award represents a significant investment in the FBI's technological backbone.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.6 million over approximately 3.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT engineering support contracts requires detailed analysis of scope and deliverables. However, the time and materials pricing structure necessitates close oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent scope creep. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the award to an established contractor indicates a degree of confidence in their ability to deliver.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a reasonably competitive environment, which typically drives better pricing and service offerings. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the effectiveness of this competition in securing optimal value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market where contractors are incentivized to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions to win government contracts.

Public Impact

Benefits the FBI by providing essential engineering support for its Information Technology and Information Division (ITID). Services delivered include IT system development, integration, and maintenance, crucial for law enforcement operations. Geographic impact is primarily within the FBI's operational areas, supporting national security and criminal investigations. Workforce implications include potential support roles for IT professionals and engineers, both within the contractor and potentially within the FBI. Enhances the FBI's ability to manage and secure vast amounts of sensitive data. Contributes to the modernization of critical federal IT infrastructure.

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 managed.
The duration of the contract (over 3 years) requires ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value.
Scope definition and management are critical for T&M contracts to prevent uncontrolled cost escalation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Contractor has prior experience with federal contracts, potentially reducing execution risk.
The contract supports a critical function within the FBI (ITID), indicating strategic importance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on engineering support for complex information technology systems. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies continually investing in modernization, cybersecurity, and data analytics. This contract aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to upgrade its technological capabilities to meet evolving national security and law enforcement demands. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale IT support contracts awarded to system integrators and engineering firms supporting federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to Edgewater Federal Solutions, a mid-sized company, suggests that the primary focus was on technical capability and competitive pricing rather than small business participation goals for this specific procurement. Further analysis of the contract's subcontracting plan would be needed to determine any indirect impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the FBI's contracting officers and program managers within the ITID division. Performance monitoring, invoicing review, and adherence to contract terms are standard accountability measures. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General may also have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any concerns arise regarding fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

FBI IT Modernization Programs
Department of Justice IT Services
Federal Law Enforcement Technology
Information Technology Support Services
Cybersecurity Engineering Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Need for robust oversight to manage scope and performance.
Dependence on contractor's technical expertise for critical IT functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $23.6 million to EDGEWATER FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, INC.. ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FBI ITID

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EDGEWATER FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-04-30.

What is Edgewater Federal Solutions' track record with the FBI and other federal agencies?

Edgewater Federal Solutions has a history of contracting with various federal agencies, including the FBI and other components of the Department of Justice. Their contract portfolio often includes IT services, engineering support, and professional services. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving IT system development, integration, and maintenance, would provide insight into their reliability and capability. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any reported issues or successes on prior government contracts is crucial for assessing their suitability for this current award. Their experience suggests they are familiar with federal procurement processes and the unique requirements of supporting government IT infrastructure.

How does the $23.6 million contract value compare to similar FBI IT engineering support contracts?

The $23.6 million contract value over approximately 3.5 years represents a significant, but not exceptionally large, investment for specialized IT engineering support within a major federal agency like the FBI. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar services (e.g., system engineering, software development, IT infrastructure support) awarded by the FBI or other agencies of comparable size and complexity (e.g., DHS, NSA). Factors such as the specific scope of work, the level of technical expertise required, the duration, and the contract type (e.g., Time & Materials vs. Firm-Fixed-Price) heavily influence contract values. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts with granular data, precise benchmarking is difficult, but this award appears to be within a typical range for sustained, high-level IT engineering support.

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 and a lack of defined ceiling for the total expenditure. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not rigorously monitored. Key risks include scope creep, where the project expands beyond its original intent without a corresponding increase in the contract ceiling, and potential inefficiencies in labor application. Effective risk mitigation requires robust oversight, detailed tracking of hours and costs, clear definition of tasks, and strong program management to ensure the contractor remains focused on efficient delivery within the allocated budget and schedule.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be in ensuring value for this contract?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for taxpayer dollars, as it allows any qualified vendor to compete. With 4 bidders, there was a reasonable level of competition, which should drive competitive pricing and encourage innovation. The effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the solicitation requirements, the fairness of the evaluation criteria, and the government's ability to accurately assess proposals. If the FBI ITID clearly defined its needs and evaluated proposals rigorously based on technical merit, past performance, and price, then full and open competition is likely to yield good value. However, if the solicitation was vague or the evaluation process was flawed, the competitive advantage might be diminished.

What are the implications of this contract for the FBI's IT infrastructure modernization efforts?

This contract is directly linked to the FBI's IT infrastructure modernization efforts by providing essential engineering support. The FBI, like many large federal agencies, faces the challenge of maintaining and upgrading legacy systems while integrating new technologies to combat evolving threats and manage increasing data volumes. Engineering support services are critical for tasks such as system design, integration, testing, and deployment of new IT solutions. This contract likely enables the FBI ITID to accelerate its modernization roadmap, improve system performance, enhance cybersecurity posture, and ensure the reliability of critical IT services that underpin the agency's investigative and operational capabilities. The sustained support over several years suggests a commitment to long-term infrastructure improvements.

What is the historical spending trend for similar IT engineering support services at the FBI?

Historical spending on IT engineering support services at the FBI has generally been substantial, reflecting the agency's critical reliance on advanced technology for its mission. While specific figures for ITID engineering support over multiple years are not provided here, the FBI consistently invests significant resources in IT modernization, cybersecurity, and data management. Trends often show increasing expenditure as technology evolves and threats become more sophisticated. Contracts for engineering support are typically recurring as systems require ongoing maintenance, upgrades, and integration of new capabilities. Analyzing past FBI IT budgets and contract awards for similar services would reveal patterns of investment and potential growth or shifts in focus within their IT strategy.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5280 CORPORATE DR, FREDERICK, MD, 21703

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $312,519,772

Exercised Options: $211,145,629

Current Obligation: $23,576,349

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline