DOJ's FBI awards $3.8M for CODIS operations and support, with 5 bidders vying for the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,847,346 ($3.8M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-01-23

End Date: 2026-08-23

Contract Duration: 577 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SCOR 15 CALL ORDER - CODIS OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $3.8 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: SCOR 15 CALL ORDER - CODIS OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract's firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the FBI's CODIS operations. 2. Competition was robust with 5 bidders, suggesting a healthy market for these specialized IT services. 3. The contract duration of nearly two years indicates a need for sustained support for critical systems. 4. Performance is benchmarked against similar IT support contracts for federal law enforcement agencies. 5. The FBI's reliance on this contract highlights the importance of secure and efficient data management. 6. The award to ECS Federal, LLC, positions them as a key provider in this niche sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $3.85 million over its 577-day duration suggests a moderate investment in IT support services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal law enforcement agencies indicates that this pricing is within a reasonable range, especially considering the specialized nature of CODIS operations. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating the risk of cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for procurements below certain thresholds. The presence of five bidders indicates a competitive environment for these services. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayers are likely to benefit from competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified vendors, ensuring value for money.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which relies on these services for the critical CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) operations. Services delivered include essential IT support and operations for maintaining and enhancing the CODIS database. The geographic impact is national, as CODIS supports law enforcement agencies across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for IT professionals employed by ECS Federal, LLC, to support this vital government function.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is not adequately transferred.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure could pose a risk if performance falters.
The specific nature of CODIS data requires stringent security protocols, and any breach would have severe consequences.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Multiple bidders indicate a healthy competitive market for these services.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need being met.
ECS Federal, LLC's role supports a critical national law enforcement database.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The market for federal IT support is substantial, with agencies constantly seeking specialized expertise to manage complex databases and operational systems. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts within law enforcement and intelligence agencies would likely show a range of values depending on scope and duration, but this $3.8M award appears aligned with typical procurements for specialized operational support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While ECS Federal, LLC may be a small business itself, the procurement process did not mandate a small business set-aside. This means larger businesses could also compete. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist at the discretion of the prime contractor, ECS Federal, LLC, but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem is neutral to potentially positive if ECS Federal, LLC utilizes small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the FBI. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring ECS Federal, LLC to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

FBI Information Technology Services
Department of Justice IT Modernization Efforts
National DNA Database Systems
Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division Support

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical law enforcement operations.
Cybersecurity risks associated with managing sensitive DNA data.
Dependency on a single contractor for essential IT support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $3.8 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. SCOR 15 CALL ORDER - CODIS OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $3.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-23. End: 2026-08-23.

What is the track record of ECS Federal, LLC in supporting federal IT contracts, particularly those involving sensitive data?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of performing IT services for various federal agencies. While specific details on their track record with sensitive data systems like CODIS require deeper investigation into past performance reviews and contract histories, their ability to win this competitive bid suggests they meet the FBI's requirements. A thorough review would involve examining past performance evaluations, any reported issues or successes on similar contracts, and their demonstrated expertise in cybersecurity and data management relevant to law enforcement databases. Their presence in the federal contracting space indicates experience, but the specific suitability for CODIS operations needs to be assessed against detailed performance metrics.

How does the $3.85 million contract value compare to previous FBI spending on CODIS operations and support services?

To accurately compare this $3.85 million contract value to previous FBI spending on CODIS operations, historical contract data would need to be analyzed. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for prior contracts awarded for CODIS support services, noting their values, durations, and the scope of work. If previous contracts were significantly higher or lower, it could indicate changes in service needs, market pricing, or efficiency gains. A substantial increase might warrant scrutiny regarding scope creep or inflation, while a decrease could suggest successful cost-saving measures or reduced service requirements. Without this historical context, the current award's value is assessed based on its own merits and market benchmarks.

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

Primary risks include potential performance failures by ECS Federal, LLC, cybersecurity vulnerabilities in managing the CODIS database, and potential cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price structure proves inadequate for unforeseen technical challenges. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the FBI, strict adherence to cybersecurity protocols mandated in the contract, and clear clauses for remedies in case of non-performance. The competitive bidding process itself acts as a risk mitigation tool by selecting a vendor deemed capable. Furthermore, the contract duration allows for phased implementation and review, enabling early detection and correction of issues. Regular reporting requirements and defined deliverables also contribute to risk management.

How effective is the FBI's CODIS system, and how does this contract contribute to its overall effectiveness?

The FBI's CODIS system is a critical tool for law enforcement, enabling the identification of criminal suspects and linking unsolved crimes. Its effectiveness is measured by its accuracy, speed, and the volume of cases it helps resolve. This contract directly contributes to CODIS's effectiveness by ensuring the reliable operation, maintenance, and potential enhancement of the underlying IT infrastructure and support services. Without consistent and expert IT support, the system's performance could degrade, impacting its ability to process DNA profiles and generate timely matches. Therefore, this contract is essential for maintaining the system's operational integrity and maximizing its contribution to public safety.

What is the trend in federal spending on IT support services for law enforcement agencies like the FBI?

Federal spending on IT support services for law enforcement agencies has generally been on an upward trend, driven by increasing digitalization, the need for advanced data analytics, cybersecurity imperatives, and the modernization of legacy systems. Agencies like the FBI manage vast amounts of sensitive data and require sophisticated IT infrastructure and ongoing support to maintain operational effectiveness and security. This includes support for databases, networks, software development, and specialized applications. The trend reflects a growing reliance on technology to combat crime, manage investigations, and ensure national security, making IT support a critical and often substantial component of agency budgets.

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 - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $3,847,346

Exercised Options: $3,847,346

Current Obligation: $3,847,346

Actual Outlays: $1,556,577

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06724A0000314

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline