SEC awards $22.8M contract for enterprise business intelligence support to ITS Agile, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,807,126 ($22.8M)

Contractor: ITS Agile, LLC

Awarding Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission

Start Date: 2022-11-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTERPRISE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT SERVICES BIP RECOMPETE

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20742

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Securities and Exchange Commission obligated $22.8 million to ITS AGILE, LLC for work described as: ENTERPRISE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT SERVICES BIP RECOMPETE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in data analytics capabilities. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration of four years allows for sustained support and development. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The award is for enterprise business intelligence support, crucial for SEC operations. 6. The contractor, ITS Agile, LLC, has secured a substantial federal award. 7. The contract is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.8 million over four years averages to $5.7 million annually. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts requires more granular data on service scope and complexity. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the SEC has negotiated a defined cost for specific deliverables, which can be advantageous if the contractor can deliver efficiently. Without specific performance metrics or detailed service breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award provides a positive signal.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. With five bids received, the competition level appears moderate. This level of competition generally supports price discovery and encourages vendors to offer competitive pricing to secure the award. The SEC's approach suggests a commitment to leveraging the market to obtain the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovation from multiple vendors.

Public Impact

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) benefits from enhanced enterprise business intelligence capabilities. Services delivered include support for data analysis, reporting, and business intelligence tools. The geographic impact is primarily within the SEC's operational centers, likely in Maryland. Workforce implications may include the need for skilled data analysts and IT professionals within the SEC and its contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical business intelligence functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring continued alignment with evolving SEC data needs and technological advancements.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Long-term contract duration allows for knowledge transfer and sustained support.
Award to a single entity can foster specialized expertise and efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The market for enterprise business intelligence (BI) and data analytics support is robust, with significant government and commercial spending. The SEC's investment aligns with a broader federal trend towards leveraging data for improved decision-making, regulatory oversight, and operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT services categories for federal agencies of similar size and mission.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) was not a specific set-aside criterion for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor, ITS Agile, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill certain aspects of the contract, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Securities and Exchange Commission's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to meet defined performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are publicly reported. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits or investigations if performance issues or potential fraud are identified.

Related Government Programs

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems Support
Data Warehousing and Database Management
IT Consulting Services
Business Analytics Software and Services
Cybersecurity Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on contractor for critical functions
Need for clear scope definition to avoid creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Securities and Exchange Commission awarded $22.8 million to ITS AGILE, LLC. ENTERPRISE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT SERVICES BIP RECOMPETE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ITS AGILE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Securities and Exchange Commission (Securities and Exchange Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of ITS Agile, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess ITS Agile, LLC's track record. Key indicators would include past performance on contracts of similar size, scope, and complexity, particularly those involving enterprise business intelligence and data analytics. Examining past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes, and the successful completion of previous government engagements would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. Understanding their history with the SEC or other agencies would also be valuable in gauging their suitability for this significant award.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar enterprise business intelligence support services?

Determining the precise market rate comparison requires detailed service descriptions and labor categories. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests a negotiated price for defined outcomes. If the SEC conducted a thorough market research analysis prior to award, the negotiated price is likely competitive. Benchmarking against publicly available data for similar government or commercial contracts, adjusted for geographic location and service complexity, could provide an indicative comparison. The presence of five bids suggests that the pricing offered was likely within a competitive range.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the SEC?

Key risks for the SEC include potential contractor underperformance, where ITS Agile, LLC may not deliver the expected quality or timeliness of business intelligence support. Given the reliance on a single vendor for critical functions, there's a risk of vendor lock-in or a lack of flexibility if SEC needs evolve rapidly. Technical risks, such as integration challenges with existing SEC systems or cybersecurity vulnerabilities introduced by the contractor's solutions, are also present. Finally, cost overruns are mitigated by the firm fixed-price structure, but scope creep could still lead to increased costs if not managed effectively.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money in this context?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for ensuring value for money when requirements are well-defined and stable, as is often the case with established IT support services. This structure places the financial risk on the contractor, incentivizing them to manage costs efficiently and deliver within the agreed budget. For the SEC, this means a predictable cost for the services rendered. However, the effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the statement of work; if requirements are ambiguous or change frequently, an FFP contract can lead to disputes or necessitate costly change orders, potentially diminishing the initial value proposition.

What is the historical spending pattern for enterprise business intelligence support at the SEC?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for enterprise business intelligence support at the SEC would require access to detailed budget and contract databases over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying previous contracts for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding trends in spending—whether increasing, decreasing, or stable—can provide context for the current $22.8 million award. It would also reveal if this recompete represents a significant shift in investment or a continuation of established support levels for the SEC's data analytics capabilities.

What are the implications of this contract being a delivery order under a larger IDIQ vehicle?

This contract being a delivery order (DO) signifies that it was issued against a pre-existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. This approach allows agencies to streamline procurement for services that are needed over time but whose exact quantity or timing may not be known upfront. For the SEC, it means they likely leveraged an existing contract that had already undergone a competitive process to establish its terms and conditions. The implications include faster award times compared to a standalone procurement, and potentially pre-negotiated pricing, though the specific terms of this DO would have been negotiated or competed further.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 50310222R0013

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8013 HIGH CASTLE RD, ELLICOTT CITY, MD, 21043

Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,451,376

Exercised Options: $22,807,126

Current Obligation: $22,807,126

Actual Outlays: $19,708,522

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 50310220D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline