Treasury's IRS awards $3.2M for SCRM applications readiness to ECS Federal, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,196,611 ($3.2M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2021-12-01

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: UNS STANDARDS, CHANGE & RELEASE MANAGEMENT (SCRM) APPLICATIONS READINESS

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $3.2 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: UNS STANDARDS, CHANGE & RELEASE MANAGEMENT (SCRM) APPLICATIONS READINESS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for custom programming services over a 5-year period. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The contract supports critical IT infrastructure for the IRS. 5. ECS Federal, LLC is the sole awardee under this BPA Call. 6. The contract duration of 1825 days aligns with typical IT modernization efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.2 million over five years for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) is within a reasonable range for federal IT contracts of this nature. Without specific benchmarks for SCRM applications readiness, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. The award being a BPA Call suggests it leverages pre-negotiated terms, potentially offering better value than a new, standalone contract.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This method generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competition type suggests a robust process aimed at achieving fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it is designed to drive down costs through market forces and ensure the government receives the most advantageous offer.

Public Impact

The IRS benefits from enhanced applications readiness through improved SCRM processes. Taxpayer services may be indirectly improved through more stable and secure IT systems. The contract supports IT professionals within ECS Federal, LLC. The geographic impact is primarily within the IRS's operational footprint, likely supporting federal IT infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the SCRM applications readiness.
The sole awardee under this BPA Call might limit future competition if not managed carefully.
The specific nature of 'applications readiness' could be broad, requiring clear definition of deliverables.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a fair and transparent procurement process.
The contract duration of five years allows for sustained support and development.
Awarding under a BPA Call can streamline future task orders and potentially reduce administrative burden.

Sector Analysis

The federal IT services sector is vast, with significant spending on custom computer programming (NAICS 541511). Contracts like this, focused on specialized areas such as Software Configuration and Release Management (SCRM), are crucial for maintaining and modernizing government IT infrastructure. Spending in this sub-sector is driven by the need for secure, efficient, and compliant software development and deployment lifecycles. Comparable contracts often involve significant investment in system integration, cybersecurity, and application lifecycle management.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award. However, the prime contractor, ECS Federal, LLC, may engage small businesses in its broader operations or other contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the IRS's IT program management and contracting offices. As a firm fixed-price contract, performance monitoring is key. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IRS IT Modernization Programs
Federal Software Development Contracts
IT Infrastructure Support Services
Custom Computer Programming Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'applications readiness' is not clearly defined.
Dependence on a single contractor (ECS Federal, LLC) for this specific BPA Call task order.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure value realization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $3.2 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. UNS STANDARDS, CHANGE & RELEASE MANAGEMENT (SCRM) APPLICATIONS READINESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-01. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the specific definition and scope of 'SCRM Applications Readiness' as defined in this contract?

The contract data does not provide a detailed definition of 'SCRM Applications Readiness.' Typically, this would encompass processes and tools related to managing changes to software applications, ensuring they are ready for deployment, testing, and integration into the broader IT environment. This includes version control, build automation, testing frameworks, and release scheduling. The specific scope would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) attached to the BPA Call, outlining deliverables, timelines, and performance standards expected from ECS Federal, LLC. Without access to the SOW, the precise deliverables and expected outcomes remain unspecified in the provided data.

How does the $3.2 million contract value compare to similar SCRM or custom programming contracts awarded by the IRS or other agencies?

Benchmarking the $3.2 million contract value requires comparing it against similar firm fixed-price contracts for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) with a duration of approximately five years, specifically for SCRM or related IT readiness functions. Publicly available data often aggregates spending, making direct comparisons challenging without detailed SOWs. However, for a five-year engagement supporting critical IT functions, $3.2 million translates to an average annual value of $640,000. This figure appears moderate within the federal IT contracting landscape, where projects can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars annually depending on complexity, scope, and the number of personnel involved. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that the scope was well-defined, contributing to a more predictable cost.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate ECS Federal, LLC's performance under this contract?

The provided contract data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics for evaluating ECS Federal, LLC's performance. These metrics are typically detailed within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). For a contract focused on SCRM Applications Readiness, potential KPIs could include metrics related to the efficiency of the build and deployment process, the reduction in deployment failures, the timeliness of releases, the effectiveness of version control, and adherence to security protocols. The firm fixed-price nature implies that meeting defined performance standards is crucial for the contractor to achieve full payment and avoid penalties, but the exact measures are contract-specific.

What is the track record of ECS Federal, LLC in delivering similar IT services to the federal government?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily within the IT services domain. Analyzing their past performance requires reviewing contract databases for awards related to custom computer programming, IT support, and potentially SCRM or application development. Their performance history, including any past performance evaluations or awards/debarments, would be a critical factor in the IRS's decision-making process. While the provided data confirms this award, a comprehensive assessment of their track record would involve examining their portfolio of past federal contracts, their performance ratings on those contracts, and any reported issues or successes. This information is typically available through federal procurement data systems.

How does the competition level (full and open) potentially impact the cost-effectiveness and quality of services received by the IRS?

A 'full and open competition' award generally enhances cost-effectiveness and quality by fostering a competitive environment. When multiple qualified vendors are allowed to bid, they are incentivized to offer competitive pricing and demonstrate superior technical capabilities to win the contract. This market pressure can lead to lower prices for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios. Furthermore, the rigorous evaluation process inherent in full and open competition helps ensure that the selected contractor possesses the necessary expertise and resources to deliver high-quality services. The IRS benefits from this by potentially securing better value for its investment and receiving services that meet or exceed its requirements.

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: 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: $3,724,118

Exercised Options: $3,724,118

Current Obligation: $3,196,611

Actual Outlays: $3,051,302

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 2032H521A00015

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline