DHS awards $28.9M task order for enterprise platforms management support to ECS Federal, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,930,864 ($28.9M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-01

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE ENTERPRISE PLATFORMS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (EPMS) ISSUED AGAINST THE ARCHITECTURE, DEVELOPMENT, AND PLATFORM TECHNICAL SERVICES (ADAPTS) BPA.

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $28.9 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE ENTERPRISE PLATFORMS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (EPMS) ISSUED AGAINST THE ARCHITECTURE, DEVELOPMENT, AND PLATFORM TECHNICAL SERVICES (ADAPTS) BPA. Key points: 1. Contract provides crucial enterprise platforms management support, indicating a need for specialized IT services. 2. The contract was awarded under the ADAPTS BPA, suggesting a pre-vetted pool of vendors. 3. A duration of 730 days points to a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. The contract's value is substantial, requiring careful monitoring of performance and cost. 5. The specific NAICS code (541511) highlights the focus on custom computer programming services. 6. The contract is a BPA Call, a common method for procuring services under existing agreements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.9 million over two years for enterprise platforms management support appears reasonable given the scope of custom computer programming services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts within federal agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The use of a BPA call indicates that pricing was likely negotiated in advance, potentially offering better value than a new sole-source award. Further analysis would require detailed labor rates and comparison to market data for similar specialized IT roles.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was competed under a full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific competition details for this BPA call are not provided, but the underlying ADAPTS BPA was likely competed broadly. A full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by allowing the government to select the best value offer from a wide range of qualified contractors, promoting fair pricing.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) benefits from enhanced enterprise platforms management, ensuring smoother IT operations. Services delivered include custom computer programming and platform technical services, critical for modern government IT infrastructure. The primary geographic impact is within the agency's operational centers, likely supporting national security and public safety missions. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT professionals to manage and support these platforms.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical platform management could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring continued alignment with evolving technological needs and DHS strategic goals.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a broad BPA (ADAPTS) suggests a structured procurement process.
Full and open competition indicates a competitive environment for service delivery.
The two-year duration allows for stable service provision and performance evaluation.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly custom computer programming and platform management, is a significant area of federal spending. Agencies like DHS rely heavily on these services to maintain and modernize their complex IT infrastructures. The ADAPTS BPA likely represents a strategic sourcing effort to streamline procurement for these types of services, with an estimated market size in the billions annually for federal IT contracts. This specific task order fits within the broader trend of agencies outsourcing specialized IT functions to manage enterprise-level platforms.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The award to ECS Federal, LLC, a large business, suggests that the primary competition likely favored larger entities with the capacity to handle enterprise-level IT support. This could limit opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific contract, though they may be involved as subcontractors if ECS Federal chooses to engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations, with the contracting officer responsible for ensuring performance and compliance. The task order is issued against an existing BPA, which typically has its own set of oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Architecture, Development, and Platform Technical Services (ADAPTS) BPA
Enterprise IT Management Services
Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Homeland Security IT Modernization Efforts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Cybersecurity risks associated with managed platforms
Performance variability of IT service providers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $28.9 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE ENTERPRISE PLATFORMS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (EPMS) ISSUED AGAINST THE ARCHITECTURE, DEVELOPMENT, AND PLATFORM TECHNICAL SERVICES (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 $28.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-01. End: 2025-08-31.

What is the track record of ECS Federal, LLC in performing similar enterprise platform management support contracts for the federal government?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of performing IT services for various federal agencies. While specific details on their performance for enterprise platform management support are not fully detailed in this summary, their ability to win this task order under the ADAPTS BPA suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any reported issues on similar contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record. Examining awards for NAICS code 541511 and related service categories would be beneficial.

How does the awarded value of $28.9 million compare to similar enterprise platform management support contracts awarded by DHS or other agencies?

The $28.9 million value for a two-year contract for enterprise platforms management support is substantial and aligns with the complexity and criticality of such services within a large agency like DHS. To benchmark effectively, one would compare this to other task orders issued under the ADAPTS BPA or similar IT support vehicles. Factors such as the number of personnel, specific skill sets required, and the scope of platforms managed would influence comparability. Generally, federal IT support contracts of this nature can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the agency's needs and the breadth of services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential performance issues if the contractor fails to deliver as expected, cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the managed platforms, and the risk of vendor lock-in. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust performance monitoring by the government, clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs), regular security audits, and contingency planning. The full and open competition under which the ADAPTS BPA was awarded also serves as a risk mitigation by ensuring a competitive landscape. The government's ability to exercise contract options or transition to another vendor at the end of the term also mitigates long-term dependency.

How effective is the ADAPTS BPA in facilitating efficient and cost-effective procurement of IT services like enterprise platform management?

The ADAPTS BPA is designed to streamline the procurement of IT services by establishing pre-negotiated terms and conditions with a pool of qualified vendors. This approach reduces the time and effort required for individual task order competitions. Its effectiveness in facilitating cost-effective procurement stems from the competitive nature of the initial BPA award and the ability to quickly solicit proposals for specific needs. However, the true cost-effectiveness depends on how well task orders are competed within the BPA and whether the selected vendors consistently deliver value at competitive rates.

What is the historical spending trend for enterprise platform management support within DHS, and how does this contract fit into that trend?

Historical spending on enterprise platform management support within DHS has likely been significant and growing, reflecting the increasing reliance on complex IT systems for national security and operational missions. This $28.9 million task order represents a specific investment within that broader trend. Analyzing DHS's IT budget and contract spending over the past several years would reveal patterns in investments in platform management, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and custom development. This contract appears to be a continuation or expansion of efforts to ensure robust and secure IT infrastructure.

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 - PLATFORM

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70RTAC23Q00000087

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

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: $28,952,302

Exercised Options: $28,930,864

Current Obligation: $28,930,864

Actual Outlays: $27,028,100

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RTAC19A00000009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline