DOJ's $21.7M contract for administrative management services awarded to ECS FEDERAL, LLC shows strong competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,722,174 ($21.7M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2013-09-30

End Date: 2019-07-31

Contract Duration: 2,130 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF ADS

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22301

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $21.7 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF ADS Key points: 1. The contract demonstrates a commitment to leveraging external expertise for administrative management. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The award to a single contractor implies successful navigation of a competitive bidding process. 5. The use of labor hours pricing allows for flexibility in service delivery. 6. The contract's value is substantial, reflecting significant operational support requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $21.7 million over approximately 5 years is significant for administrative management consulting. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging without more specific service details, but the competitive award process suggests a fair market price was likely achieved. The use of labor hours provides flexibility, which can be cost-effective if managed efficiently, but also carries a risk of cost overruns if not closely monitored.

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 bids. The fact that it was competed suggests a robust market for administrative management and general management consulting services. The number of bids received (8) is a positive indicator of competitive interest and provides a basis for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down prices and ensures the government receives the best value for its money through a rigorous selection process.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced administrative management and general management consulting services. These services likely support the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the agency. The contract's impact is primarily internal to the Department of Justice, improving administrative functions. Workforce implications are likely related to the integration of contractor support with government personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the labor hours pricing model.
Ensuring consistent quality of service delivery over the contract's extended period.
Managing the integration of contractor personnel with agency staff effectively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
The contract duration suggests a stable and predictable need for services.
The agency has identified a clear requirement for specialized administrative support.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, supporting a wide array of government functions. This contract falls within the professional services category, which is characterized by a large number of providers and a focus on expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar services can vary widely based on the specific tasks and the agency's needs, but the $21.7 million award indicates a substantial engagement.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the full and open competition, it's possible small businesses participated, but the primary awardee, ECS FEDERAL, LLC, is likely a larger entity. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation or subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the U.S. Marshals Service contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, performance work statements, and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management Services
General Management Consulting Services
Professional Services Contracts
Department of Justice Contracts
U.S. Marshals Service Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to labor hour pricing.
Ensuring consistent service quality over a long contract duration.
Effective integration of contractor personnel with government staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $21.7 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. IGF::CT::IGF ADS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-30. End: 2019-07-31.

What is the track record of ECS FEDERAL, LLC in performing similar administrative management contracts for the federal government?

ECS FEDERAL, LLC has a history of performing various federal contracts, including those related to IT services, logistics, and professional support. To assess their track record specifically for administrative management and general management consulting, a deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and contract history with agencies like the Department of Justice or other law enforcement entities would be necessary. Examining contract databases for similar awards and their completion status, along with any reported performance issues or commendations, would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability in this specific service area. Their ability to successfully manage the $21.7 million award from the U.S. Marshals Service over its duration is a key indicator of their performance.

How does the awarded value of $21.7 million compare to similar administrative management contracts awarded by the Department of Justice or other agencies?

The $21.7 million contract value for administrative management and general management consulting services awarded to ECS FEDERAL, LLC by the U.S. Marshals Service is a significant sum, reflecting a substantial engagement. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against contracts of similar scope, duration, and complexity within the Department of Justice or other federal agencies. Factors such as the specific services rendered (e.g., strategic planning, operational efficiency improvements, organizational development), the number of personnel involved, and the contract type (labor hours vs. fixed price) heavily influence pricing. Without detailed service descriptions and performance metrics, a precise comparison is difficult, but the value suggests a comprehensive and long-term support requirement.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential cost overruns due to the labor hours pricing model, which requires diligent monitoring and management by the U.S. Marshals Service. Ensuring the quality and consistency of services delivered over the contract's multi-year term is another risk. Furthermore, effective integration of contractor personnel with government staff is crucial to avoid inefficiencies or conflicts. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance management, regular progress reviews, clear communication channels, and defined deliverables within the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The agency's oversight capabilities and the contractor's commitment to quality assurance are critical for mitigating these risks.

How effective has ECS FEDERAL, LLC been in delivering administrative management services based on historical performance data?

Assessing the effectiveness of ECS FEDERAL, LLC in delivering administrative management services requires access to their past performance evaluations and client feedback, which are not directly provided in the summary data. Federal agencies typically maintain Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) records. A review of these records for ECS FEDERAL, LLC's previous contracts, particularly those involving similar services, would reveal their strengths and weaknesses. Positive ratings in areas like technical performance, schedule adherence, cost control, and management of staff would indicate effectiveness. Conversely, negative feedback or documented performance deficiencies would raise concerns about their ability to meet the requirements of this current contract.

What are the historical spending patterns for administrative management and general management consulting services within the U.S. Marshals Service or DOJ?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for administrative management and general management consulting services within the U.S. Marshals Service and the broader Department of Justice would provide context for the $21.7 million award. This involves examining budget allocations and contract expenditures over several fiscal years. Understanding whether spending in this category has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing can indicate evolving needs or strategic shifts. Comparing the current award amount to previous contract values for similar services can reveal trends in contract size and frequency. Such analysis helps determine if this contract represents a typical investment or a significant expansion of outsourced administrative support.

What is the typical duration and value range for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' contracts awarded by federal agencies?

The typical duration and value range for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' contracts can vary significantly based on the agency, the scope of work, and the specific services required. Contracts can range from short-term, project-based engagements to multi-year, comprehensive support agreements. Values can span from tens of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. The $21.7 million awarded to ECS FEDERAL, LLC over approximately five years falls within the higher end of the value spectrum for such services, suggesting a substantial and ongoing need for expert support within the U.S. Marshals Service. This duration and value indicate a strategic investment rather than a routine procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ON Assignment, Inc. (UEI: 157674896)

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: $21,974,270

Exercised Options: $21,974,270

Current Obligation: $21,722,174

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F0003W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline