EPA awards $3.4M contract for computer services to AINS, LLC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,413,215 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Ains, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-03-07

End Date: 2027-03-06

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE SERVICES FOR THIS TASK ORDER ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GSA RFQ NO.1587621, AND THE AINS, LLC PROPOSAL DATED MARCH 1, 2023.

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 $3.4 million to AINS, LLC for work described as: THE SERVICES FOR THIS TASK ORDER ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GSA RFQ NO.1587621, AND THE AINS, LLC PROPOSAL DATED MARCH 1, 2023. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to AINS, LLC for computer related services. 2. The contract was competed under full and open competition. 3. The contract has a duration of 1460 days. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541519. 6. The contract is for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $3,413,215.38. Without specific benchmarks for 'Other Computer Related Services' for the EPA, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm fixed price structure suggests cost certainty for the government, but the per-unit cost cannot be determined from the provided data. Further analysis would require comparing this contract's pricing to similar services procured by the EPA or other federal agencies.

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 a bid. The presence of 6 bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for these computer related services. This competitive process is generally expected to lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary of these computer related services. The services are intended to support the EPA's mission and operational needs. The contract is geographically focused on the District of Columbia. The contract may impact the IT workforce supporting the EPA.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed service description makes it hard to assess if the chosen vendor is the most qualified.
Firm Fixed Price contracts can sometimes lead to scope creep if not managed carefully.
The duration of the contract (nearly 4 years) requires ongoing monitoring to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract is for essential computer related services supporting a key federal agency.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'Other Computer Related Services' category (NAICS 541519), which is a broad segment within the IT services sector. This sector is characterized by high demand for specialized technical expertise. The total award of $3.4 million is moderate for a federal IT services contract of this duration. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT service contracts within the EPA and across other civilian agencies for similar scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The 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 set-aside provision. The competition was open to all responsible sources, which may include small businesses if they chose to compete.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. As a GSA contract vehicle, there may be additional oversight from GSA. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight mechanisms are not provided in this data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Environmental Protection Agency IT Services
Computer Systems Design Services

Risk Flags

Potential for price misalignment over contract duration
Lack of specific service details hinders performance assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.4 million to AINS, LLC. THE SERVICES FOR THIS TASK ORDER ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GSA RFQ NO.1587621, AND THE AINS, LLC PROPOSAL DATED MARCH 1, 2023.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AINS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-07. End: 2027-03-06.

What specific computer-related services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the services are in accordance with GSA RFQ NO.1587621 and the AINS, LLC proposal dated March 1, 2023. However, the specific nature of these 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) is not detailed. This could range from IT support, software development, network management, cybersecurity services, or data processing. A thorough understanding of the service scope is crucial for assessing performance and value for money. Without this detail, it's difficult to benchmark against industry standards or determine if the $3.4 million award is appropriate for the work performed.

How does the $3.4 million award compare to similar EPA contracts for computer services?

Benchmarking the $3.4 million award requires comparing it to similar contracts awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) over a comparable period (approximately four years). Without access to a database of historical EPA IT contracts, a direct comparison is challenging. However, federal IT spending is substantial, and this amount appears moderate for a multi-year contract supporting a major agency. Factors like the specific services, complexity, and number of users would influence the 'fairness' of the price. A detailed analysis would involve querying contract databases for similar procurements.

What is AINS, LLC's track record with federal IT contracts, particularly with the EPA?

The provided data confirms AINS, LLC as the awardee for this specific contract. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on other federal contracts, especially those with the EPA or for similar 'Other Computer Related Services'. Key indicators include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and any past performance issues or awards. A review of contract databases and performance assessment reports (if publicly available) would provide insights into AINS, LLC's reliability and expertise in fulfilling government requirements.

What are the potential risks associated with a nearly four-year Firm Fixed Price contract for computer services?

A significant risk with a long-term Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for evolving services like IT is that the fixed price may become misaligned with the actual cost of performance if requirements change significantly or technology advances rapidly. For the government, the risk is paying a price that becomes uncompetitive or doesn't reflect the current market value. For the contractor, the risk is underestimating costs or scope, leading to reduced profitability or potential quality compromises. Effective contract management, including clear scope definition and change control processes, is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does the 'full and open competition' with 6 bidders translate to taxpayer value?

Full and open competition, especially with multiple bidders (6 in this case), generally enhances taxpayer value. It creates a competitive environment where companies strive to offer the best combination of price and quality to win the contract. This pressure can lead to lower prices than a sole-source or limited competition scenario. The presence of multiple bids suggests that the government received various proposals, allowing for comparison and selection of the most advantageous offer, thereby maximizing the efficient use of taxpayer funds for the required computer services.

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

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1101 17TH ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,543,515

Exercised Options: $6,463,937

Current Obligation: $3,413,215

Actual Outlays: $2,884,606

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F576GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline