EPA awards $2.3M for environmental data services to support CBP, with a 5-year performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,316,700 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Koniag IT Systems, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-10-07

End Date: 2030-07-27

Contract Duration: 1,754 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS ACTION INCREMENTALLY FUNDS SERVICES SUPPORTING SCIENTIFIC AND PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS OF CBP INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL DATA COLLECTION AND MAPPING, ETC. BPA 68HE0325A0003, CO 68HE0326F0002

Place of Performance

Location: ANNAPOLIS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21401

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.3 million to KONIAG IT SYSTEMS, LLC for work described as: THIS ACTION INCREMENTALLY FUNDS SERVICES SUPPORTING SCIENTIFIC AND PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS OF CBP INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL DATA COLLECTION AND MAPPING, ETC. BPA 68HE0325A0003, CO 68HE0326F0002 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on scientific and programmatic needs, including environmental data collection and mapping. 2. The award is a BPA Call against a larger Blanket Purchase Agreement. 3. Performance period extends over five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 suggests a focus on IT services. 6. The contractor, KONIAG IT SYSTEMS, LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting data. 7. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting a larger scope or specific capabilities required.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.3 million over approximately five years represents a moderate investment in environmental data services. Benchmarking this specific award is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and comparable contract data. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests an expectation of defined deliverables and cost control. The value appears reasonable for specialized IT and data services supporting a significant agency like CBP.

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 specific number of bidders is not provided, but this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The EPA's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to meet the required technical specifications.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down prices through market forces and ensuring the government receives the best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which will receive enhanced scientific and programmatic support. Services include crucial environmental data collection and mapping, aiding in operational and policy decisions. The contract supports federal agency operations, contributing to national security and environmental stewardship. The geographic impact is national, as CBP operates across U.S. borders and territories. Workforce implications may include specialized IT and environmental science roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited transparency on the specific technical requirements and evaluation criteria used in the competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services post-award.
The contractor, KONIAG IT SYSTEMS, LLC, has a limited track record in federal contracting, raising potential performance risks.
The duration of the contract (nearly 5 years) necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure continued value and alignment with agency needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type aligns incentives for cost control and efficient service delivery.
The contract supports critical functions for a major federal agency (CBP).
The BPA structure allows for flexibility in task orders while maintaining a competitive framework.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and professional services sector, specifically focusing on data management and environmental consulting. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized solutions. The value of this contract, approximately $2.3 million over five years, is relatively modest within the broader federal IT services landscape, which sees billions in annual spending. It represents a targeted investment in specialized data capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the scope of work or the required specialized expertise may have exceeded the typical capabilities sought in small business set-aside contracts, or that the competition was broad enough to include large businesses. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but given the nature of the services, it's possible that specialized environmental or IT firms could be engaged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA likely has its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is moderate, with basic award details available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected within the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Data Services
IT Support Services
Customs and Border Protection Operations Support
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Scientific and Programmatic Support

Risk Flags

Contractor performance risk due to limited track record.
Potential for scope creep impacting fixed-price delivery.
Ensuring data quality and accuracy in environmental mapping.
Long-term contract requires sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.3 million to KONIAG IT SYSTEMS, LLC. THIS ACTION INCREMENTALLY FUNDS SERVICES SUPPORTING SCIENTIFIC AND PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS OF CBP INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL DATA COLLECTION AND MAPPING, ETC. BPA 68HE0325A0003, CO 68HE0326F0002

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KONIAG IT SYSTEMS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-07. End: 2030-07-27.

What is the specific nature of the environmental data collection and mapping services required under this contract?

The provided data indicates that the services support 'scientific and programmatic needs of CBP including environmental data collection and mapping, etc.' While specific details are limited, this suggests tasks related to gathering, processing, analyzing, and visualizing environmental data relevant to CBP's mission. This could encompass areas like border environmental impact assessments, resource monitoring, or compliance data management. The NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) further implies a significant IT component in how this data is handled, stored, and potentially presented.

How does the contractor, KONIAG IT SYSTEMS, LLC, compare to other providers in terms of experience and past performance?

Based on the provided data, KONIAG IT SYSTEMS, LLC appears to be a relatively new entrant or has a limited presence in the federal contracting space, as indicated by the lack of extensive historical contract data typically associated with established vendors. Without access to a broader federal procurement database or specific past performance evaluations for this entity, a direct comparison is difficult. Agencies typically assess contractor experience through proposals and past performance questionnaires. For this contract, the EPA would have evaluated KONIAG IT SYSTEMS, LLC's capabilities against the requirements, and the 'fair' rating for value reflects a cautious assessment pending demonstrated performance.

What are the potential risks associated with a Firm Fixed Price contract for these types of services?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract, while beneficial for cost certainty, carries risks for both the government and the contractor. For the government, the primary risk is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if costs exceed estimates. Conversely, the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns if their initial pricing was too low or unforeseen issues arise. In the context of environmental data collection and mapping, scope creep or unexpected technical challenges could strain the contractor's ability to deliver within the fixed price, potentially impacting service quality or leading to disputes if not managed carefully.

How does this contract's value and duration align with typical federal spending on similar environmental IT services?

The contract value of approximately $2.3 million over nearly five years (ending in 2030) translates to an average annual value of roughly $460,000. This is a moderate-sized contract within the federal IT services sector. Federal spending on environmental IT and data services can range from small, specialized task orders to multi-billion dollar enterprise-wide solutions. This particular award appears to be a focused investment for specific CBP needs, rather than a large-scale program. Benchmarking against similar, precisely defined environmental data services contracts would provide a more accurate comparison, but the value is not exceptionally high or low in the broader context.

What is the significance of this award being a BPA Call against a larger BPA?

This award being a BPA Call signifies that it is a specific order placed against a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are established with vendors to streamline the procurement of recurring or anticipated needs. By using a BPA Call, the EPA is leveraging an existing agreement, likely one that was already competed, to quickly obtain services from KONIAG IT SYSTEMS, LLC. This method is efficient for the government, reducing administrative burden and lead time for acquiring services. It implies that the underlying BPA already established the terms and conditions, and this Call defines the specific scope, price, and delivery for this particular requirement.

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 - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3800 CENTERPOINT DR STE 700, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,316,700

Exercised Options: $2,316,700

Current Obligation: $2,316,700

Actual Outlays: $50,813

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0325A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline