DHS Spends $37M on Program Management Support Services from ECS Federal, LLC via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,961,984 ($37.0M)
Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2020-09-30
End Date: 2024-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,278 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: MISSION VALUE DELIVERY, HIGH IMPACT INITIATIVES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $37.0 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: MISSION VALUE DELIVERY, HIGH IMPACT INITIATIVES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. High impact program management support services valued at $36.96M. 2. Contract awarded to ECS Federal, LLC, a single vendor. 3. Risk of vendor lock-in and potential for cost overruns exist. 4. IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure can lead to cost uncertainty. Benchmarking against similar program management support contracts is difficult without detailed task breakdowns, but the overall value suggests a significant investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. However, the award was a BPA Call, which might limit the scope of competition for specific task orders.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for critical program management support, aiming for efficient delivery of high-impact initiatives.
Public Impact
Supports high-impact initiatives within the Department of Homeland Security. Ensures effective program management for critical government operations. Contract duration spans over three years, indicating ongoing need.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing can inflate costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
- Potential for scope creep in program management services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical mission value delivery.
- Long-term contract indicates sustained need and potential for stable support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Spending benchmarks for program management support services can vary widely based on agency and scope, but $37M over three years is a substantial investment.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the primary awardee is likely a large business, and opportunities for small businesses may be limited unless subcontracting occurs.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations. Oversight would involve monitoring contractor performance, adherence to T&M rates, and ensuring alignment with program objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Office of Procurement Operations Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Limited visibility into subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-homeland-security, va, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $37.0 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. MISSION VALUE DELIVERY, HIGH IMPACT INITIATIVES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $37.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-30. End: 2024-03-31.
How effectively are the program management support services contributing to the delivery of high-impact initiatives within DHS?
Assessing the effectiveness requires detailed performance metrics and outcome data directly linked to the supported initiatives. Without this, it's challenging to quantify the value beyond the service provision itself. The T&M structure also complicates direct value attribution.
What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing model for these services?
The primary risk is cost escalation due to potentially unlimited hours or inefficient work. Without strict oversight and clear deliverables, the government could overpay. Benchmarking against fixed-price contracts for similar services would highlight potential cost inefficiencies.
To what extent does the BPA Call mechanism ensure optimal price discovery and value for taxpayer money?
While BPA Calls can streamline procurement, they rely on the initial BPA's competitive foundation. The specific task order's pricing is critical. If the underlying BPA was well-competed and task orders are closely monitored against market rates, value can be achieved. Otherwise, it risks suboptimal price discovery.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 70RCSA20Q00000118
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ON Assignment, Inc.
Address: 2750 PROSPERITY AVE STE 600, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,961,984
Exercised Options: $36,961,984
Current Obligation: $36,961,984
Actual Outlays: $19,142,620
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70RTAC19A00000009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-30
Current End Date: 2024-03-31
Potential End Date: 2024-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-07-26
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