EPA awards $18.8M for Salesforce development and support of Safer Choice database
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,784 ($18.8K)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2025-07-24
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 191 days
Daily Burn Rate: $98/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: R499 SALESFORCE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE SAFER CHOICE COMMUNITY DATABASE TO#26
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $18,783.55 to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: R499 SALESFORCE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE SAFER CHOICE COMMUNITY DATABASE TO#26 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical software development and ongoing support for a key environmental database. 2. The award utilizes a Time and Materials pricing structure, which can pose cost control challenges. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding environment. 4. The contract duration is relatively short, indicating a need for agile development or phased implementation. 5. The specific NAICS code points to research and development activities, though the contract is for software support. 6. The contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., has a significant presence in government contracting.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $18.8 million for approximately 191 days of work appears high on a daily basis. Benchmarking against similar software development and support contracts is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, making value for money a potential concern.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely solicited. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust process.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to bid, driving down costs and potentially leading to better service quality.
Public Impact
The Safer Choice program benefits from enhanced database functionality and support, aiding its mission. Consumers and businesses seeking safer chemical products will have access to a more robust and reliable database. The contract supports the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) public health and environmental protection initiatives. Workforce implications are primarily within the IT and software development sectors, supporting specialized skills.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing model introduces risk of cost escalation without strict oversight.
- Scope of work for 'development and support' is broad and may lack specific performance metrics.
- Short contract duration could lead to rushed development or incomplete support if not managed effectively.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
- Contractor has experience in government IT services.
- Supports a program with clear public benefit (Safer Choice).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on software development and database support. The market for government IT services is substantial, with agencies increasingly relying on specialized software solutions for data management and program execution. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other federal contracts for custom software development and ongoing IT support, often priced on a T&M or fixed-price basis.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb flags) is not a primary focus for this specific award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist depending on the prime contractor's strategy, but they are not explicitly mandated by the contract type.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by the EPA's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Safer Choice initiative. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards within the Time and Materials contract, focusing on hours worked and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability, but detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns may not be readily accessible.
Related Government Programs
- EPA IT Modernization Projects
- Environmental Data Management Systems
- Federal Software Development Contracts
- Safer Choice Program Initiatives
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
- Ambiguity in scope for 'development and support'.
- Short contract duration may limit full project completion or long-term support.
- NAICS code alignment seems questionable for a software support contract.
Tags
environmental-protection, it-services, software-development, salesforce, environmental-protection-agency, icf-incorporated, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, research-and-development, data-management, virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $18,783.55 to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. R499 SALESFORCE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE SAFER CHOICE COMMUNITY DATABASE TO#26
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18,783.55.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-24. End: 2026-01-31.
What is the specific scope of 'Salesforce software development and support' for the Safer Choice Community Database?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SALESFORCE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE SAFER CHOICE COMMUNITY DATABASE'. While the specific functionalities to be developed or enhanced are not detailed, it implies work related to customizing, maintaining, and potentially expanding the Salesforce platform used to manage the Safer Choice program's data. This could include user interface improvements, data integration, reporting enhancements, and ongoing technical support to ensure the database's reliability and usability for both internal EPA users and external stakeholders seeking information on safer chemical products.
How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar IT services?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. They reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fixed fee or percentage for profit. Compared to fixed-price contracts, T&M offers more flexibility but carries a higher risk of cost overruns for the government if not meticulously monitored. For well-defined IT projects, fixed-price contracts are generally preferred for better cost certainty. However, for ongoing support or development where requirements evolve, T&M can be appropriate if stringent oversight and ceiling limitations are in place.
What is ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.'s track record with the EPA and similar federal agencies?
ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of serving federal agencies, including the EPA. They have a broad portfolio of services encompassing IT, environmental consulting, and program management. Their past performance with the EPA likely includes numerous contracts related to data management, environmental analysis, and IT support. A detailed review of their contract history would reveal specific projects, performance ratings, and any past issues, but generally, they are considered a major player in the federal contracting space, particularly within the environmental and IT domains.
What are the potential risks associated with a short contract duration of approximately 191 days for software development and support?
A short contract duration like 191 days for software development and support can present several risks. Firstly, it may indicate a very narrowly defined scope of work or a short-term project phase, potentially leading to gaps in service or development if follow-on funding or contracts are not secured promptly. Secondly, it could pressure the contractor to deliver quickly, potentially compromising quality or thoroughness. For development tasks, 191 days might only cover a small increment of work, and for support, it might not be long enough to fully understand and address all system nuances. This necessitates close monitoring to ensure critical functions are maintained and development goals are realistically met within the timeframe.
How does the NAICS code '541715' (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) align with a Salesforce software support contract?
The NAICS code 541715 typically applies to scientific research and development services. Its application to a Salesforce software development and support contract for a community database appears somewhat misaligned. While software development can involve innovative problem-solving akin to R&D, this specific code usually pertains to laboratory-based research or advanced scientific inquiry. It's possible the contract was categorized under this code due to the 'development' aspect involving novel applications or data analysis within the environmental sciences, or it could be an administrative categorization. Typically, IT services like software development and support fall under codes like 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) or 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services).
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 68HERC25R0212
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.
Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLZ, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $129,859
Exercised Options: $18,784
Current Obligation: $18,784
Actual Outlays: $18,784
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 68HERC24D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-24
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-03-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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