DHS awards $22.8M for enterprise software and services to ESCGOV, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,810,762 ($22.8M)

Contractor: Escgov, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2014-04-01

End Date: 2016-04-11

Contract Duration: 741 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ORDER FOR ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE AND SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20598

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $22.8 million to ESCGOV, INC. for work described as: ORDER FOR ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE AND SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in enterprise software and services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 4. The duration of the award (741 days) indicates a medium-term need for these services. 5. The specific NAICS code (532420) points to a focus on office machinery and equipment rental/leasing, which may encompass software licensing and related services. 6. The award was made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a major component of DHS.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the 'enterprise software and services' provided. The total award of $22.8 million over approximately two years suggests a substantial investment. However, without comparable contract data for similar software and services within DHS or other agencies, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract is a positive indicator for cost control, but the overall value proposition hinges on the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivered software and services.

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 a bid. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The fact that it was competed fully suggests that the agency sought the best possible solution and price from the market. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competition type implies that multiple offers were likely received and evaluated.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining competitive pricing and a wider range of solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and better service delivery.

Public Impact

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the primary beneficiary, receiving enterprise software and services to support its operations. The services delivered are expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CBP's internal processes and potentially its border security functions. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within CBP facilities and operational areas, primarily in Virginia where the contract is managed. Workforce implications may include the need for training on new software or services, and potential impacts on IT support roles within CBP.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the 'enterprise software and services' makes it difficult to assess performance and value.
The NAICS code 532420 (Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing) seems broad and may not fully capture the scope of 'enterprise software and services'.
No information is provided on the contractor's past performance or specific qualifications for this type of complex IT service.
The contract duration of 741 days (approx. 2 years) is substantial, raising questions about long-term vendor lock-in or the need for ongoing support.
The absence of small business subcontracting information could indicate a missed opportunity to engage smaller businesses in supporting this contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency.
The contract is managed within Virginia, potentially supporting local IT economies.
The award is for enterprise-level software and services, indicating a strategic investment in improving agency-wide capabilities.
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which can offer flexibility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically concerning enterprise software and services. The market for such solutions is vast and highly competitive, with numerous vendors offering a wide array of products and services ranging from cloud-based solutions to on-premise software. The NAICS code 532420, while indicating office machinery and equipment rental and leasing, is often associated with broader IT service contracts that may include software licensing, maintenance, and support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT service contracts of similar scope and duration within large federal agencies like DHS.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the procurement was open to all responsible bidders, including large businesses. While there's no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements, the absence of small business set-aside provisions means that opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors would depend on the prime contractor's voluntary engagement. This could limit the direct impact on the small business ecosystem unless specific subcontracting plans are in place.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security, specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. The Inspector General's office within DHS would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

DHS Enterprise Software and Services Contracts
CBP IT Modernization Programs
Federal Civilian IT Procurement
Large Scale Software Licensing Agreements
Government IT Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of specific service details
Broad NAICS code applicability
Limited contractor performance data available
No explicit small business subcontracting requirements mentioned

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $22.8 million to ESCGOV, INC.. ORDER FOR ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE AND SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ESCGOV, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-04-01. End: 2016-04-11.

What specific types of enterprise software and services were procured under this contract?

The provided data identifies the contract as an 'ORDER FOR ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE AND SERVICES' awarded to ESCGOV, INC. by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The NAICS code listed is 532420, which pertains to 'Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing.' However, this code is often used broadly and may encompass IT services beyond simple equipment rental. Without further details from the contract award documents or associated descriptions, the precise nature of the 'enterprise software and services' remains unspecified. This could range from operating systems, productivity suites, specialized border management software, IT infrastructure management tools, or related support and maintenance services. The lack of specificity makes it difficult to fully assess the contract's purpose and value.

How does the $22.8 million award compare to similar enterprise software and services contracts within DHS or other large federal agencies?

Comparing the $22.8 million award for enterprise software and services to similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, for a contract spanning approximately two years (741 days), this amount suggests a significant investment. Large federal agencies like DHS frequently award multi-million dollar contracts for enterprise IT solutions. For instance, contracts for cloud services, cybersecurity platforms, or large-scale software licenses can easily reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. Without specific details on the scope and deliverables of this ESCGOV contract, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, the award size is consistent with substantial IT procurements necessary for supporting the vast operational needs of a major agency like CBP.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not include specific details regarding Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for enterprise software and services contracts, such metrics are crucial for ensuring the vendor meets performance expectations. These might include uptime guarantees for software, response times for technical support, data security compliance levels, or successful implementation timelines for new features. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the contractor is obligated to deliver the specified software and services, and penalties or remedies for non-performance would be outlined in the contract's terms and conditions. Further review of the full contract documentation would be necessary to identify any defined KPIs or SLAs.

What is ESCGOV, INC.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly within DHS?

Information on ESCGOV, INC.'s track record with federal contracts, especially within DHS, is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would typically examine their contract history, including past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past disputes or issues. A review of public contract databases (like FPDS) would reveal the extent of their federal business. For this specific contract, the fact that it is a delivery order suggests it might be under a larger IDIQ contract, implying some level of pre-qualification. However, without specific performance data or a history of similar large-scale enterprise software awards, it's difficult to definitively gauge their expertise and reliability for this particular requirement.

What is the historical spending pattern for enterprise software and services by U.S. Customs and Border Protection?

The provided data only includes information for a single contract award. To understand the historical spending patterns for enterprise software and services by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a comprehensive analysis of their procurement history over several fiscal years would be required. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for all contracts awarded by CBP related to software, IT services, and related categories (e.g., using relevant NAICS codes and Product Service Codes). Analyzing this data would reveal trends in spending, identify major vendors, track the evolution of technology needs (e.g., shift towards cloud services), and provide context for the $22.8 million award to ESCGOV, INC. relative to CBP's overall IT budget and procurement activities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Real Estate and Rental and Leasing › Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing › Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE MACH/TEXT PROCESS/VISIB REC

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 8300 GREENSBORO DR. SUITE 1150, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,176,360

Exercised Options: $22,810,762

Current Obligation: $22,810,762

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0363P

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline