ECS Federal awarded $37M for USCENTCOM operational enterprise services, with a 5-year performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,092,614 ($37.1M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-09-01

End Date: 2026-09-06

Contract Duration: 1,831 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: USCENTCOM OPERATIONAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES OES II

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33621

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $37.1 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: USCENTCOM OPERATIONAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES OES II Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the scope of operational enterprise services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a long performance period requiring ongoing oversight. 4. Performance context is within a critical operational command, demanding high reliability. 5. Sector positioning is in IT services, specifically computer systems design. 6. The contract is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ, indicating task-based execution.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $37.1 million over approximately five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar operational support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts performance risk to the contractor, which can be favorable for the government if managed effectively. The pricing will be assessed based on the delivery orders issued against this contract.

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 offers. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally expected to drive more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a better price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award, as multiple companies vied for the contract.

Public Impact

USCENTCOM personnel and operations benefit from enhanced enterprise services. Services delivered likely include IT support, system design, and operational integration. Geographic impact is primarily within the USCENTCOM area of responsibility. Workforce implications may involve skilled IT professionals supporting military operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (5 years) increases the risk of scope creep or evolving requirements.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical operational enterprise services could pose a risk if performance degrades.
The firm-fixed-price structure requires careful monitoring to ensure contractor profitability does not lead to corner-cutting.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Multiple bidders (6) indicate market interest and potential for strong performance.
Firm-fixed-price contract aligns incentives for contractor efficiency and cost control.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in modernization and operational support. This contract for USCENTCOM operational enterprise services aligns with the broader trend of agencies outsourcing complex IT functions to specialized contractors to ensure mission readiness and efficiency.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, ECS Federal, LLC, is not identified as a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation is mandated or encouraged through subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by USCENTCOM contracting officers and technical representatives responsible for ensuring service delivery meets performance requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the contract being publicly awarded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USCENTCOM Enterprise Services
IT Support Services
Computer Systems Design
Defense IT Contracts
General Services Administration IT Schedules

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration
Critical operational support
Potential for evolving requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $37.1 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. USCENTCOM OPERATIONAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES OES II

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $37.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2026-09-06.

What is the track record of ECS Federal, LLC in performing similar operational enterprise services for defense agencies?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of performing IT services for various government agencies, including defense clients. Their experience often encompasses areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT modernization. While specific details on past performance for USCENTCOM operational enterprise services are not provided here, their general portfolio suggests capability in supporting complex defense IT requirements. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and contract history with agencies like the Department of Defense would offer more insight into their reliability and success rates in similar engagements.

How does the awarded amount compare to historical spending on similar USCENTCOM operational enterprise services?

The awarded amount of $37.1 million over approximately five years represents an average annual value of roughly $7.4 million. To compare this to historical spending, one would need to examine previous contracts awarded by USCENTCOM or its predecessors for similar operational enterprise services. Factors such as the scope of services, the number of users supported, and the technological environment have evolved, making direct comparisons challenging. However, analyzing trends in IT service spending for operational commands can provide context on whether this award is within expected budgetary parameters for such critical support.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance failures impacting critical military operations, cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price model is not managed effectively, and the risk of vendor lock-in due to the long duration. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by government technical representatives, clear performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs), and contingency planning for service disruptions. The firm-fixed-price structure itself is a risk mitigation tool, placing cost control responsibility on the contractor. Regular contract reviews and open communication channels are also crucial.

How effective is the computer systems design services component in supporting USCENTCOM's mission objectives?

The effectiveness of the computer systems design services is directly tied to how well these systems enhance USCENTCOM's ability to conduct operations, intelligence gathering, and command and control within its area of responsibility. Well-designed systems should improve efficiency, data accessibility, security, and interoperability. The success metrics would likely include system uptime, user satisfaction, successful deployment of new capabilities, and the degree to which the designed systems contribute to achieving specific operational goals and strategic objectives outlined by USCENTCOM leadership.

What is the typical duration for similar operational enterprise service contracts within the Department of Defense?

Operational enterprise service contracts within the Department of Defense often have durations ranging from 3 to 5 years, with options for extensions that can extend the total period to 7-10 years. The 5-year base period for this contract (ending September 2026) is consistent with common practice for complex IT support services that require significant ramp-up and long-term integration. Longer durations are often favored for such contracts to provide stability for both the contractor and the government, allowing for deeper integration and knowledge transfer, while also providing a predictable cost structure.

What is the significance of this contract being a delivery order under a larger IDIQ contract?

This contract being a delivery order under a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract signifies that it is one of potentially many task orders issued against a pre-competed foundational contract. The IDIQ vehicle itself likely underwent a competitive process, establishing terms and conditions, and potentially pre-qualified vendors. This specific delivery order then defines the scope, price, and schedule for a particular set of services required by USCENTCOM. This approach allows for flexibility and faster procurement of specific needs while leveraging the initial competition of the IDIQ.

Industry Classification

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

Solicitation ID: 47QFSA21Q0116

Offers Received: 6

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, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,452,583

Exercised Options: $37,379,891

Current Obligation: $37,092,614

Actual Outlays: $-411

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $3,797,175

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0047

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline