DoD's DARPA Awards $47M for Acquisition & Admin Support to ECS Federal, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,066,384 ($47.1M)
Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-10-15
End Date: 2024-10-14
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONTRACT MANAGEMENT OFFICE (CMO) ACQUISITION&ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $47.1 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: CONTRACT MANAGEMENT OFFICE (CMO) ACQUISITION&ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting market availability. 2. ECS Federal, LLC, a single entity, holds this significant contract. 3. The contract spans five years, indicating a long-term need for services. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts for broad professional services is difficult due to the 'All Other' NAICS code.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded under full and open competition, this method aims to ensure the government receives the best value by soliciting offers from all responsible sources. The impact on price discovery is generally positive as multiple bids are considered.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential administrative and acquisition support services, with the expectation of competitive pricing due to the procurement method.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity of critical acquisition and administrative functions within DARPA. Supports research and development initiatives by streamlining procurement processes. Provides professional services that may be specialized and not readily available internally.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
- Broad NAICS code makes specific service benchmarking challenging.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a critical agency (DARPA) for national security.
- Contract duration aligns with potential long-term strategic needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Spending in this area is substantial across government, supporting a wide range of agency operations and specialized needs. Benchmarks are difficult due to the broad NAICS code.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to ECS Federal, LLC, and does not specify if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. DARPA's CMO is responsible for managing this contract and ensuring performance meets requirements and taxpayer value.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Broad NAICS code lacks specificity.
- Long contract duration (5 years).
- No explicit mention of small business subcontracting.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $47.1 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT OFFICE (CMO) ACQUISITION&ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $47.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-10-15. End: 2024-10-14.
What is the specific breakdown of services provided under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for this contract?
The specific breakdown of services is not detailed in the provided data. 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) is a broad category encompassing a wide array of activities, including research, development, and consulting that do not fit into more specific categories. For this contract, it likely includes support for acquisition processes, administrative functions, and potentially specialized technical advice relevant to DARPA's mission.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the government's risk exposure compared to other contract types?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure shifts some risk to the government, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While the fee is fixed, the total cost can escalate if actual costs exceed estimates. This contrasts with fixed-price contracts where the contractor bears more cost risk. CPFF is often used when cost uncertainty is high, but requires robust oversight to control expenditures.
What is the potential for cost savings or improved efficiency given the five-year duration of this contract?
A five-year duration can offer potential cost savings through economies of scale and reduced administrative burden associated with frequent re-procurement. It also allows the contractor to build institutional knowledge and optimize processes over time. However, it also carries the risk of escalating costs if not managed effectively and could lead to complacency. Regular performance reviews and cost analysis are essential to realize efficiencies.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: HR001119Q0005
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $47,369,642
Exercised Options: $47,369,642
Current Obligation: $47,066,384
Actual Outlays: $505,138
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 22
Total Subaward Amount: $4,685,544
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HR001118D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-10-15
Current End Date: 2024-10-14
Potential End Date: 2024-10-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-05-14
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