EPA awards $6.7M contract for ERT Field Information Management Application Support to Lintech Global Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,756,838 ($6.8M)

Contractor: Lintech Global Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-02-24

End Date: 2027-02-23

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: US EPA ERT FIELD INFORMATION MANAGEMENT APPLICATION SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: EDISON, MIDDLESEX County, NEW JERSEY, 08837

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $6.8 million to LINTECH GLOBAL INC for work described as: US EPA ERT FIELD INFORMATION MANAGEMENT APPLICATION SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment in critical IT infrastructure for environmental data management. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a healthy market for these specialized IT services. 3. The contract duration of five years allows for sustained support and potential for system evolution. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the agency. 5. The award is for computer systems design services, a key area for modernizing government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.7 million over five years for IT application support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of environmental data management. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT systems design and support within federal agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the EPA, indicating good value if performance targets are met.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and evaluated. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, which typically drives better pricing and service quality. This level of competition is favorable for price discovery and ensures the government receives a competitive offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best possible price and quality for essential IT services, preventing potential overspending associated with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the EPA's Environmental Response Team (ERT) and associated personnel who rely on the Field Information Management Application. The contract delivers crucial IT support services for managing and accessing environmental field data. The geographic impact is national, supporting EPA operations across various regions. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be engaged in supporting critical environmental data infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if system customization is extensive and proprietary.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure could pose continuity risks if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
Long-term contract (5 years) allows for stable support and development of expertise.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly custom computer systems design, is a significant area of federal spending. Agencies like the EPA require specialized applications to manage vast amounts of environmental data, track responses, and ensure regulatory compliance. This contract fits within the broader category of IT modernization and data management solutions sought by government entities. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts often range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. While Lintech Global Inc. may be a small business, the competition structure suggests larger firms could also participate. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not immediately clear but likely minimal unless Lintech actively pursues small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the EPA's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the ERT Field Information Management Application. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by linking payment to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, and the Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

EPA Environmental Data Management Systems
Federal IT Support Services
Computer Systems Design Contracts
Environmental Response Technology Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Dependence on contractor performance for critical system availability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $6.8 million to LINTECH GLOBAL INC. US EPA ERT FIELD INFORMATION MANAGEMENT APPLICATION SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LINTECH GLOBAL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-02-24. End: 2027-02-23.

What is Lintech Global Inc.'s track record with federal IT contracts, particularly with the EPA?

Lintech Global Inc. has a history of performing federal IT contracts. While specific details on their past performance with the EPA for this particular application are not provided in this award notice, their ability to win a full and open competition contract suggests they meet the necessary qualifications and past performance requirements. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would reveal the full scope of their contract history, including past performance ratings, previous agencies served, and the types of IT services they have provided. This information is crucial for assessing their reliability and expertise in delivering similar solutions.

How does the $6.7 million contract value compare to similar EPA IT support contracts?

The $6.7 million contract value over five years, averaging approximately $1.34 million per year, is a moderate investment for specialized IT application support within a federal agency like the EPA. Benchmarking this against other EPA contracts for IT system development, maintenance, and data management reveals it falls within a typical range for such services. Contracts for enterprise-wide systems or those involving extensive hardware infrastructure can be significantly higher, while smaller, task-order-based support might be lower. The value appears aligned with the scope of providing support for a specific, albeit critical, information management application.

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

Key risks include potential performance issues if Lintech Global Inc. lacks the specialized expertise required for the ERT Field Information Management Application, or if the system itself is complex and prone to technical difficulties. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the EPA becomes overly dependent on Lintech for future enhancements. Mitigation strategies are primarily embedded in the contract structure: the firm fixed-price (FFP) nature incentivizes Lintech to control costs and deliver efficiently. The full and open competition process helps ensure a qualified vendor was selected. The EPA's program management and oversight will be critical in monitoring performance, managing scope, and ensuring successful delivery throughout the contract's five-year term.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method for this type of IT support contract?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method is generally effective for securing competitive bids on specialized IT services like this. It allows the agency to solicit proposals from all responsible sources but may involve pre-qualification steps or specific exclusions based on technical requirements. For this contract, it resulted in two bids, indicating a reasonable level of competition. While more than two bidders might be ideal, this outcome suggests that the market for this specific IT support is not overly concentrated. This method balances the need for broad competition with the practicalities of acquiring specialized technical solutions, aiming to achieve a good balance between price and technical merit.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT support at the EPA, and how does this contract fit?

The EPA, like many large federal agencies, consistently allocates significant portions of its budget to IT infrastructure, software development, and support services. Historical spending patterns show a trend towards modernizing legacy systems, enhancing data analytics capabilities, and ensuring robust cybersecurity. This $6.7 million contract for the ERT Field Information Management Application Support fits within this pattern by addressing the need for specialized IT support for a critical environmental data system. It represents an investment in maintaining and potentially improving the functionality of tools used for environmental monitoring and response, aligning with the EPA's mission.

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 - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 34119 W 12 MILE ROAD STE 200, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI, 48331

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,093,242

Exercised Options: $8,093,242

Current Obligation: $6,756,838

Actual Outlays: $6,093,550

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98120D00026

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline