Agile Decision Sciences, LLC Awarded $2.46M Contract for Imcs V Services by EPA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $245,760 ($245.8K)

Contractor: Agile Decision Sciences, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-04-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $224/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RECORDS MANAGEMENT REGION 4 LSASD INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CENTER SERVICES V (IMCS V)

Place of Performance

Location: ATHENS, CLARKE County, GEORGIA, 30605

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $245,759.96 to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: RECORDS MANAGEMENT REGION 4 LSASD INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CENTER SERVICES V (IMCS V) Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.46M over 3 years suggests a moderate investment in information management services. 2. The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a specific, potentially limited, competitive process. 3. With 3 bidders, the competition level appears moderate, which could influence pricing and innovation. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The contract is for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. 6. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) provides a stable period for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $2.46M contract for IMCS V services is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and deliverables. However, the total contract value over three years averages approximately $820,000 annually. This figure needs to be compared against the cost of similar information management and technical services contracts within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and across other federal agencies to determine if it represents a competitive price point. The firm-fixed-price structure implies that the contractor is responsible for managing costs to meet the agreed-upon price, which can be a good indicator of value if the scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This procurement method suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria or prior relationships, or perhaps it was a re-competition where only specific entities were invited. With three bidders, the level of competition was not extensive, which could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing than a broader, unrestricted full-and-open competition. The limited number of bidders might also indicate a specialized service area where only a few firms possess the necessary qualifications.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a limited competition may mean that the government did not secure the most competitive pricing possible. While three bidders offer some level of choice, a wider pool of qualified offerors could have driven down costs further.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential information management and technical services. The contract supports the operational efficiency of the Information Management Center Services Region 4. Services delivered are expected to enhance data management, processing, and technical support within the EPA. The contract's geographic impact is primarily within Region 4, likely supporting operations in Georgia and surrounding areas. Workforce implications may include specialized IT and technical support roles managed by AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Exclusion of Sources' aspect of the competition warrants further investigation to ensure fairness and optimal value.
The broad categorization of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could lead to scope creep or ambiguity if not tightly managed.
Limited competition may result in higher costs than a more open bidding process.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type aligns incentives for the contractor to manage costs effectively.
A 3-year contract duration provides stability for service delivery and planning.
AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC's award suggests they meet the EPA's requirements for these specialized services.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within government contracting, is highly competitive and diverse. This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category that encompasses a wide range of IT support, data management, and consulting. The market for such services is substantial, with federal agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their information systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the average cost per hour or per project for similar IT support and information management functions across federal agencies, considering factors like security clearances, specialized software, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or benefits specifically for small businesses mandated by this award. The primary contractor, AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC, will manage the service delivery. Any subcontracting would be at their discretion, and there is no explicit requirement for them to engage small businesses under this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers responsible for Region 4's Information Management Center. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract's performance work statement, with defined deliverables and service level agreements. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS.gov, where contract awards are recorded. The Inspector General's office for the EPA may conduct audits or investigations if performance issues or potential fraud are identified.

Related Government Programs

EPA Information Technology Services
Federal Records Management Contracts
Professional and Technical Services Contracts
Region 4 EPA Operations Support

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact value for money.
Scope definition for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' needs careful management.
Justification for 'Exclusion of Sources' requires scrutiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $245,759.96 to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC. RECORDS MANAGEMENT REGION 4 LSASD INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CENTER SERVICES V (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 $245,759.96.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What specific services are included under 'IMCS V' and 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for this contract?

The contract details for 'RECORDS MANAGEMENT REGION 4 LSASD INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CENTER SERVICES V (IMCS V)' awarded to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC, fall under the broad category of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS code 541990). While the specific deliverables are not fully detailed in the provided data, this classification typically encompasses a wide array of support functions. For an Information Management Center, this could include services such as data entry, data analysis, records management, document control, IT support, system maintenance, technical consulting, and potentially specialized scientific or technical data processing. The 'V' designation might indicate this is the fifth iteration or phase of a service contract for this function. The EPA's specific needs within Region 4 would dictate the precise scope, likely focusing on managing and leveraging the vast amounts of environmental data collected and processed by the agency.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar EPA or federal IT services contracts?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $2.46 million, 3-year contract for IMCS V services to similar EPA or federal IT services contracts is difficult without a detailed breakdown of the services provided and the labor categories involved. The average annual value is approximately $820,000. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar scopes, such as records management, data processing, and IT support, awarded by the EPA or other agencies. Key metrics for comparison would include the average hourly rates for specific labor categories (e.g., IT specialists, data analysts, project managers), the cost per deliverable, or the overall cost per function. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract means AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC is responsible for managing costs, which can be a positive indicator if the scope is well-defined and the price is competitive within the market for these specialized services.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method presents several potential risks. Primarily, it suggests that the competition, while intended to be open, had limitations on who could participate. This exclusion could be based on specific technical requirements, past performance, or other criteria that narrowed the field of potential bidders. The risk here is that by excluding certain qualified sources, the government might not have received the most innovative solutions or the most competitive pricing available in the market. It could also raise questions about the fairness and transparency of the procurement process if the exclusion criteria are not clearly justified and documented. Furthermore, if the excluded sources were highly capable, the government might miss out on potentially stronger partnerships or better value propositions. Ensuring that the exclusion was necessary and well-justified is crucial to mitigate these risks.

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

To assess the track record of AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC, a review of their past performance on federal contracts is necessary. This would involve examining contract databases (like FPDS) for previous awards, their values, the agencies they served, and the types of services rendered. Key indicators of a strong track record include successful completion of contracts on time and within budget, positive past performance reviews from contracting officers, and experience with similar service requirements, such as information management, IT support, or technical services for agencies like the EPA. A lack of relevant past performance or a history of contract issues could indicate a higher risk for this new award. Conversely, a demonstrated history of successful delivery on comparable contracts would provide greater confidence in their ability to meet the EPA's needs for IMCS V.

How does the $2.46M contract value compare to the EPA's overall spending on IT and professional services?

The $2.46 million contract value for IMCS V services represents a relatively modest portion of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) overall IT and professional services spending. Federal agencies like the EPA typically have annual IT budgets in the hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars, encompassing a wide range of activities from infrastructure and software development to cybersecurity and data analytics. This specific contract, while significant for the services it provides to Region 4's Information Management Center, is likely a small component within the agency's broader technology and service acquisition portfolio. To contextualize it further, one would need to compare it against the total annual spending on NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) or specific IT service categories within the EPA's budget.

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) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HERD23R0009

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $245,760

Exercised Options: $245,760

Current Obligation: $245,760

Actual Outlays: $231,984

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