DHS Awards $31.4M for Custom Computer Programming Services to ECS Federal, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,423,788 ($31.4M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2020-06-07

End Date: 2023-06-06

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: BUSINESS SYSTEMS BRANCH (BSB) TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $31.4 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: BUSINESS SYSTEMS BRANCH (BSB) TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value is $31.4 million for technical support services. 2. ECS Federal, LLC is the sole awardee under this BPA Call. 3. The contract was awarded using full and open competition. 4. The primary service category is Custom Computer Programming Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value is $31.4 million. Benchmarking against similar contracts for custom computer programming services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns. The provided 'br' (benchmark rate) of 28724 suggests a potential hourly rate, but its applicability requires further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded via a BPA Call under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process. However, the specific price discovery mechanisms used during the BPA Call are not detailed, making it hard to assess the full extent of price competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for technical support services. The competitive award process aims to ensure reasonable pricing, but the ultimate value for money depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided.

Public Impact

Citizens rely on the Department of Homeland Security for critical functions, which are supported by these technical services. The contract supports the operational efficiency of the Office of Procurement Operations. Transparency in government contracting ensures public trust and accountability for taxpayer money.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown for price assessment.
Limited insight into specific price discovery mechanisms.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports critical government functions.
Clear contract duration and award date.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT services, specifically custom computer programming. Spending in this sector is substantial across government agencies, supporting a wide range of digital infrastructure and operational needs. Benchmarks vary widely based on complexity and service type.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award ('sb': false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the requirement precluded small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Office of Procurement Operations, suggesting internal oversight. However, the specific oversight mechanisms for service delivery and performance monitoring are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Office of Procurement Operations Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown.
No small business participation.
Limited insight into price discovery.
Unclear performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $31.4 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. BUSINESS SYSTEMS BRANCH (BSB) TECHNICAL 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 $31.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-07. End: 2023-06-06.

What specific technical support services are included under this contract, and how do they align with the agency's mission objectives?

The contract is for 'Custom Computer Programming Services' provided by ECS Federal, LLC to the Department of Homeland Security. These services likely encompass development, maintenance, and enhancement of software and IT systems critical for the agency's operations, including those managed by the Office of Procurement Operations. The alignment with mission objectives would depend on the specific systems and applications supported.

What was the competitive landscape during the BPA Call process, and how did it influence the final pricing?

While the award was made under 'full and open competition,' the specifics of the BPA Call process are not detailed. This means multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The extent to which this competition drove down prices depends on the number of responsive bids received and the negotiation strategies employed by the agency.

How is the effectiveness and value of these technical support services being measured and ensured throughout the contract period?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or quality assurance procedures in place for this contract. Effective oversight would typically involve regular performance reviews, service level agreements (SLAs), and user feedback mechanisms to ensure the services meet requirements and provide good value for the $31.4 million investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70RTAC20Q00000008

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

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: $32,515,618

Exercised Options: $31,969,486

Current Obligation: $31,423,788

Actual Outlays: $10,486,754

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RTAC19A00000009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline