DHS Awards $29.3M Adems Support BPA Call to ECS Federal, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,337,081 ($29.3M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-04-20

End Date: 2025-08-19

Contract Duration: 852 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BPA CALL ORDER FOR ARCHITECTURE, DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (ADEMS) AGAINST ADAPTS BPA.

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $29.3 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: BPA CALL ORDER FOR ARCHITECTURE, DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (ADEMS) AGAINST ADAPTS BPA. Key points: 1. Contract value of $29.3M for Architecture, Development Engineering Management Support. 2. ECS Federal, LLC is the awardee under an existing ADAPTS BPA. 3. The contract was awarded using full and open competition. 4. This is a firm-fixed-price contract with a duration of 852 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $29.3M appears reasonable for the scope of Architecture, Development Engineering Management Support services over approximately 2.3 years. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Awarded under full and open competition, this method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential offerors. The use of an existing BPA likely streamlined the procurement process.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment.

Public Impact

Supports critical Department of Homeland Security operations through specialized engineering and development management. The contract ensures continuity of essential IT services for the agency. Awarding to a single vendor under a BPA call order can lead to efficient service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if ADAPTS BPA is not actively managed.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical support functions.

Positive Signals

Leverages existing BPA for streamlined acquisition.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition ensures broad market access.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Custom Computer Programming Services sector, specifically for IT support and management. Spending in this sector is substantial across federal agencies, with significant variation based on agency needs and project complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). While this specific award may not directly benefit small businesses, the overarching ADAPTS BPA might have provisions or past performance involving small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA call order suggests a structured procurement process. Oversight would focus on performance monitoring, adherence to contract terms, and ensuring continued competition for future task orders or contract renewals.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Reliance on a single vendor.
Limited direct small business participation.
Complexity of engineering services may pose scope management challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $29.3 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. BPA CALL ORDER FOR ARCHITECTURE, DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (ADEMS) AGAINST ADAPTS BPA.

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 $29.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-20. End: 2025-08-19.

What is the historical performance of ECS Federal, LLC on similar contracts, and how does it compare to other potential offerors?

Assessing ECS Federal's past performance is crucial for understanding their capability to deliver on this ADEMS support contract. Comparing their track record against other firms that could have bid under full and open competition provides insight into whether DHS secured the most capable vendor at a competitive price. This evaluation helps determine the overall value and effectiveness of the award beyond the stated contract amount.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single vendor for ADEMS support, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential service disruptions if ECS Federal faces internal issues, lack of innovation due to limited external pressure, and difficulties in transitioning services if performance degrades. Mitigation strategies might involve robust performance metrics, clear service level agreements, regular vendor performance reviews, and contingency planning for service continuity. The agency should also monitor market conditions for potential alternative providers.

How does the firm-fixed-price structure impact the government's ability to manage scope creep and ensure cost control for these complex engineering services?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract provides cost certainty for the government, as the contractor assumes most of the risk for cost overruns. However, for complex engineering services, managing scope creep can still be challenging. Clear definition of deliverables and change control processes are essential. The government must carefully manage requirements to prevent scope expansion without formal change orders, ensuring the FFP structure effectively controls overall costs.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70RTAC23Q00000024

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Asgn Incorporated

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: $32,193,337

Exercised Options: $29,337,081

Current Obligation: $29,337,081

Actual Outlays: $29,032,492

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RTAC19A00000009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline