GSA awards $130M for continuous diagnostics and mitigation dashboard ecosystem to ECS Federal, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $129,856,386 ($129.9M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-05-24

End Date: 2025-11-23

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $64.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONTINUOUS DIAGNOSTICS AND MITIGATION CDM DASHBOARD ECOSYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $129.9 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: CONTINUOUS DIAGNOSTICS AND MITIGATION CDM DASHBOARD ECOSYSTEM Key points: 1. Contract value of $129.9M over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in cybersecurity infrastructure. 2. The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) allows for flexibility but requires robust oversight to ensure value. 3. ECS Federal, LLC, as the sole awardee, highlights the importance of specialized capabilities in this domain. 4. The duration of the contract, spanning over five years, indicates a long-term need for these services. 5. The services provided fall under Computer Systems Design, a critical area for federal IT modernization. 6. The absence of small business set-aside suggests the scope or nature of the requirement may not have been suitable for smaller entities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $130 million over its five-year term represents a substantial investment in cybersecurity. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale federal IT service contracts, the pricing appears to be within a reasonable range, considering the specialized nature of continuous diagnostics and mitigation. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure, while offering flexibility, necessitates careful monitoring of performance metrics to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential overruns. Without specific performance data or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the scale of the award suggests a recognized need for these critical services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were eligible to bid. The fact that ECS Federal, LLC was the sole awardee suggests they possessed the most competitive proposal based on the evaluation criteria. While the competition was open, the specialized nature of the CDM Dashboard Ecosystem likely narrowed the field of qualified bidders. The presence of competition, even if resulting in a single awardee, generally contributes to price discovery and encourages vendors to offer their best terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a wide range of potential providers. It helps ensure that the government isn't limited to a single option, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

Federal agencies benefit from enhanced cybersecurity posture through continuous monitoring and mitigation of threats. The contract supports the delivery of critical IT services aimed at protecting sensitive government data and infrastructure. The geographic impact is nationwide, as federal agencies across the country utilize the CDM Dashboard Ecosystem. The contract supports a specialized workforce in cybersecurity and IT systems design and integration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the Cost Plus Award Fee structure if not rigorously managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical cybersecurity function could pose a risk if performance falters.
The complexity of integrating and maintaining a dashboard ecosystem across diverse federal systems presents technical challenges.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process to select the best offer.
The contract addresses a critical national security need for robust cybersecurity.
The long-term nature of the contract (over 5 years) indicates a stable and ongoing requirement, fostering contractor investment.

Sector Analysis

The federal cybersecurity market is a rapidly growing sector driven by increasing threats and the digitization of government services. The Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program, managed by GSA, is a cornerstone of this effort, aiming to provide agencies with the tools and services to manage their cybersecurity risks. This contract for the CDM Dashboard Ecosystem falls within the broader IT services and computer systems design sub-sector, which is highly competitive but also characterized by specialized niches requiring deep technical expertise. Spending in this area is substantial, with numerous contracts awarded annually to address evolving cyber threats.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses indicated in the provided data. The scale and technical complexity of the CDM Dashboard Ecosystem likely favored larger, established prime contractors with extensive experience in federal cybersecurity solutions. While this specific award may not directly benefit small businesses as prime contractors, it's possible that ECS Federal, LLC may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized components or services, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, performance metrics and cost controls would be under intense scrutiny. The contract's duration and critical nature suggest regular reviews and reporting requirements. Transparency would be facilitated through contract award databases and potentially through agency-specific reporting on cybersecurity initiatives. Inspector General involvement would be triggered by any indications of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Compliance
Cybersecurity Services
IT Systems Integration
Cloud Security

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized system integration.
Complexity of managing a multi-year, high-value IT services contract.
Dependence on a single awardee for critical cybersecurity functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $129.9 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. CONTINUOUS DIAGNOSTICS AND MITIGATION CDM DASHBOARD ECOSYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $129.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-05-24. End: 2025-11-23.

What is the track record of ECS Federal, LLC in delivering similar large-scale federal IT and cybersecurity contracts?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of performing federal IT and cybersecurity contracts. While specific details on past performance for contracts of this exact magnitude and complexity are not provided in the summary data, their award for the CDM Dashboard Ecosystem suggests they have demonstrated the necessary capabilities and experience to the GSA. Further analysis would involve reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes on previous government engagements to fully assess their track record in delivering complex, mission-critical systems.

How does the awarded amount of $129.9 million compare to other federal contracts for similar cybersecurity dashboard ecosystems?

The $129.9 million award for the CDM Dashboard Ecosystem is a significant sum, reflecting the critical and comprehensive nature of the services. To benchmark this value, one would compare it to other large federal IT procurements focused on cybersecurity, threat intelligence platforms, or integrated security operations centers. The CDM program itself represents a substantial government-wide initiative. While exact comparisons require access to detailed contract databases and specific service scopes, this figure aligns with the high-end of major federal cybersecurity investments, indicating a substantial commitment to enhancing national cyber defenses.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for a critical cybersecurity system?

Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts, while offering flexibility for evolving requirements, carry inherent risks. For a critical cybersecurity system like the CDM Dashboard Ecosystem, the primary risk is potential cost overruns if performance targets are not clearly defined or if contractor incentives are not perfectly aligned with government objectives. There's also a risk that the 'award fee' component could be subjective or difficult to measure, potentially leading to disputes. Rigorous oversight, well-defined performance metrics, and strong government negotiation skills are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value for its investment.

How effective is the CDM program in improving the overall cybersecurity posture of federal agencies?

The Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program is designed to provide federal agencies with enhanced visibility into their IT assets and cybersecurity risks, enabling them to better manage and reduce their cyber posture. Its effectiveness is generally considered high in providing a foundational layer of security awareness and continuous monitoring. By automating the identification of vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, CDM helps agencies prioritize remediation efforts. However, the ultimate effectiveness also depends on how agencies utilize the data provided, integrate it into their security operations, and implement the recommended mitigation strategies.

What has been the historical spending trend for the CDM program or similar cybersecurity initiatives under GSA?

Historical spending on the CDM program and related cybersecurity initiatives under GSA has shown a consistent upward trend, reflecting the escalating threat landscape and the government's commitment to bolstering its defenses. GSA has been a key facilitator for these large-scale procurements, consolidating agency needs and leveraging economies of scale. Annual spending on CDM-related contracts has grown significantly over the years as the program matured and expanded its scope across federal agencies. This trend indicates a sustained and increasing investment in federal cybersecurity infrastructure and services.

What are the implications of awarding this contract to a single vendor, ECS Federal, LLC, for the CDM Dashboard Ecosystem?

Awarding the CDM Dashboard Ecosystem contract to a single vendor, ECS Federal, LLC, implies that they were deemed the most capable and competitive offeror for this specific, complex requirement. While full and open competition was utilized, the specialized nature of the task likely resulted in a single best-value proposal. The implications include a clear point of accountability for the system's success. However, it also concentrates risk; the government becomes heavily reliant on ECS Federal's performance. Robust contract management and contingency planning would be essential to mitigate potential disruptions should performance issues arise.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

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, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $259,774,406

Exercised Options: $223,334,406

Current Obligation: $129,856,386

Actual Outlays: $-55,795

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 20

Total Subaward Amount: $10,563,663

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0047

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline