AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC awarded $2.78M contract for records management services by EPA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,777,018 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Agile Decision Sciences, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-05-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: RECORDS MANAGEMENT R3 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CENTER SERVICES (IMCS) V

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20460

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.8 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: RECORDS MANAGEMENT R3 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CENTER SERVICES (IMCS) V Key points: 1. Contract focuses on information management center services, indicating a need for robust data handling and organization. 2. The contract type is 'Delivery Order' under a larger contract, suggesting a phased or modular approach to service delivery. 3. The duration of 1095 days (3 years) points to a medium-term commitment for these essential services. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 5. The contractor, AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC, is a new entity in this specific contract award. 6. The service falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the parent contract's scope and pricing structure. However, the total award amount of approximately $2.78 million over three years for records management and information center services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized professional services. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and service levels to similar contracts within the federal government for records management and IT support.

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'. While the 'full and open' aspect indicates a broad solicitation, the 'after exclusion of sources' clause suggests that certain potential bidders may have been excluded prior to the main competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature implies that multiple firms likely vied for the opportunity, which should theoretically lead to better pricing and service offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and encouraging contractors to offer their best value. This approach aims to ensure that federal funds are used efficiently by selecting the most capable and cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical information management and records services. The contract supports the operational efficiency of the EPA's Information Management Center. Services delivered are expected to enhance data organization, retrieval, and overall records management for the agency. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the EPA's headquarters are located. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of personnel by AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and impact on overall competition.
Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance trajectory.
The 'Time and Materials' contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.

Positive Signals

The award was made through a full and open competition, indicating a commitment to leveraging the broadest possible market.
The contract duration of three years suggests a stable, long-term need for these services, implying a recognized value.
The EPA's selection of a specific contractor for these critical services indicates confidence in their ability to meet agency needs.

Sector Analysis

The federal IT services market, particularly within professional, scientific, and technical services, is substantial. This contract falls into the niche of records management and information center services, which are crucial for government agencies to comply with regulations, manage vast amounts of data, and ensure operational continuity. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support and records management contracts within federal agencies often range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The focus remains on larger, established firms or those capable of competing in a full and open environment.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Records Management
Information Technology Services
Professional and Technical Services
Environmental Protection Agency IT Contracts
Records Center Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Limited transparency on the 'exclusion of sources' in the competitive process.
Unknown track record of the specific contractor for similar large-scale services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.8 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC. RECORDS MANAGEMENT R3 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CENTER SERVICES (IMCS) V

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'information management center services' being provided under this contract?

The contract, 'RECORDS MANAGEMENT R3 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CENTER SERVICES (IMCS) V', awarded to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC by the EPA, focuses on providing comprehensive information management center services. This typically encompasses a range of activities related to the organization, storage, retrieval, security, and disposition of federal records. Services may include physical and electronic records management, document imaging, database management, archival services, and ensuring compliance with federal record-keeping regulations such as the Federal Records Act. The 'R3' designation might indicate a specific program or iteration of these services within the EPA. The 'IMCS' acronym directly points to the core function of managing the agency's information assets.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause impact the competitive landscape for this contract?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause presents a nuanced competitive scenario. 'Full and open competition' is the preferred method, aiming to solicit offers from all responsible sources. However, the addition of 'after exclusion of sources' implies that certain potential offerors were identified and excluded from the competition prior to the main solicitation. The reasons for exclusion are not detailed but could stem from specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or other pre-qualification criteria. While it still allows for broad participation among eligible firms, this exclusion narrows the field, potentially impacting the diversity of solutions and the intensity of price competition compared to a purely 'full and open' process without exclusions.

What is the typical cost range for similar records management and information center services contracts at the EPA or similar federal agencies?

The cost range for records management and information center services contracts can vary significantly based on scope, duration, and specific services offered. For a three-year contract like this one, with a total award of approximately $2.78 million, the annual cost is roughly $927,000. This figure falls within a common range for specialized IT and professional services supporting federal agencies. Smaller, more focused contracts might be in the tens or hundreds of thousands annually, while large-scale, comprehensive enterprise solutions could run into tens of millions. Benchmarking against similar EPA contracts for IT support or records management, or against contracts awarded by agencies like the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), would provide a more precise comparison.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Time and Materials' contract type for these services?

The 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type, used here, carries inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. In a T&M contract, the government pays the contractor for the direct labor hours at specified hourly rates, plus the actual cost of materials. The primary risk for the government is that costs can escalate if the contractor's labor hours are not efficiently managed or if material costs are higher than anticipated. This lack of a fixed ceiling on total cost necessitates robust oversight from the government to monitor labor hours, ensure efficient work practices, and validate material expenses. Without diligent management, T&M contracts can become more expensive than fixed-price alternatives.

What is the track record of AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC is the contractor for this specific delivery order. Information regarding their broader track record, past performance on similar federal contracts, or previous awards is not detailed in the initial data set. As a relatively new entity or one whose prior work is not immediately apparent in this context, further investigation into their history with federal agencies, client testimonials, and performance reviews would be necessary to fully assess their reliability and expertise in delivering records management and information center services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HERD23R0030

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation

Address: 350 VOYAGER WAY STE 100B, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,296,401

Exercised Options: $3,296,401

Current Obligation: $2,777,018

Actual Outlays: $2,777,103

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $305,630

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERD23D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline