EPA awards $1.15M IT contract to Net.America Corp. for lab information technology services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,152,638 ($1.2M)

Contractor: THE Net.america Corporation

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-03-01

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $789/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: R3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER LABORATORY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $1.2 million to THE NET.AMERICA CORPORATION for work described as: R3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER LABORATORY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for custom computer programming services, a common IT need. 3. The duration of the contract is 4 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The contract is firm-fixed-price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The award amount is relatively modest for a federal IT contract. 6. The contractor, Net.America Corporation, has a track record with federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm-fixed-price structure is favorable for the government, transferring cost overrun risks to Net.America Corporation. While specific performance metrics are not detailed here, the duration and scope suggest a standard IT support and development engagement. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts would provide a clearer picture of value, but the award amount appears reasonable for a four-year engagement.

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 bids. The presence of multiple bidders, though not specified, is implied by this procurement method. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the government's investment, potentially leading to lower prices and higher quality services.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will benefit from enhanced laboratory information technology services. This contract supports the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment. The services delivered are expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of EPA's laboratory operations. The primary geographic impact is likely within EPA facilities where laboratory information systems are critical.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if custom solutions are highly proprietary.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical IT functions.
Risk of scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Contract duration indicates a stable, long-term IT support relationship.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The federal IT market is vast, with significant spending on software development, system integration, and IT support. Contracts like this are essential for agencies to maintain and modernize their technological infrastructure, enabling them to carry out their missions effectively. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT services contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, this award does not directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting. The primary contractor, The Net.America Corporation, is likely a mid-to-large-sized business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, though detailed performance reports may not be public.

Related Government Programs

EPA IT Modernization Projects
Environmental Data Management Systems
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
Federal Custom Software Development

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Risk of contractor underperformance impacting critical IT functions.
Dependence on contractor for specialized IT knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1.2 million to THE NET.AMERICA CORPORATION. R3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER LABORATORY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE NET.AMERICA CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-01. End: 2027-02-28.

What is the track record of The Net.America Corporation with the federal government, particularly with the EPA?

The Net.America Corporation has a history of receiving federal contracts. While specific details of their past performance with the EPA are not provided in this data, their ability to win this contract suggests they have met the agency's requirements and potentially have prior experience. A deeper dive into contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would reveal the full extent of their federal contracting history, including past performance ratings, types of services rendered, and agencies served. This information is crucial for assessing their reliability and expertise in delivering IT professional services.

How does the award amount of $1.15 million for four years compare to similar IT services contracts for custom programming?

An award of $1.15 million over four years equates to an average annual value of approximately $287,500. This figure is on the lower end for federal custom computer programming services, especially for a contract supporting a major agency like the EPA. Many federal IT contracts, particularly those involving complex software development, system integration, or large-scale support, can range from several million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The relatively modest amount here might indicate a focused scope of work, a specific set of tasks, or a smaller user base being supported. Benchmarking against contracts with similar NAICS codes (like 541511) and contract types (firm-fixed-price) would provide a more precise comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract for custom computer programming?

The primary risk with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract, while generally favorable to the government, lies in potential contractor underperformance or the contractor's inability to deliver the required services within the fixed price. If The Net.America Corporation underestimates the complexity or effort required for the custom programming, they might cut corners, leading to lower quality deliverables or potential delays. Conversely, if the scope of work is not precisely defined, the contractor might be incentivized to deliver the minimum required to meet the contract terms, potentially limiting innovation or going beyond the stated requirements without additional compensation. Effective government oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is 'full and open competition' in ensuring value for money for this type of IT service?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal contracting, including for IT services. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, it fosters a competitive environment where contractors are incentivized to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the award. This process helps prevent monopolies, encourages innovation, and provides the government with a wider range of options. For custom computer programming, this means the EPA likely received proposals from multiple vendors, allowing them to compare technical approaches, past performance, and price to select the most advantageous offer for the government and, by extension, the taxpayer.

What are the implications of this contract's duration (4 years) on the EPA's IT strategy and potential for future modernization?

A four-year contract duration suggests a stable, long-term commitment to the services provided by The Net.America Corporation. This stability can be beneficial for maintaining critical laboratory information systems and ensuring continuity of operations. However, it also presents potential challenges for future modernization. If the contract is too rigid or the chosen technology becomes outdated, the EPA might face difficulties in adapting to new technological advancements or integrating newer systems during the contract period. Agencies often balance long-term support contracts with shorter-term, more agile contracts for innovation or specific modernization efforts to avoid technological obsolescence.

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 - DATA CENTER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HE0323Q0004

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 16201 TRADE ZONE AVE, UPPER MARLBORO, MD, 20774

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,431,512

Exercised Options: $1,207,535

Current Obligation: $1,152,638

Actual Outlays: $970,088

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F167BA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline