EPA Awards $1.26M IT Support Contract to TTW Solutions for Grant Systems

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,256,773 ($1.3M)

Contractor: TTW Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-10-20

End Date: 2026-10-19

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE GRANT REPORTING AND TRACKING SYSTEM (GRTS) AND THE WETLAND GRANTS DATABASE (WGD) APPLICATION SUITES

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $1.3 million to TTW SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE GRANT REPORTING AND TRACKING SYSTEM (GRTS) AND THE WETLAND GRANTS DATABASE (WGD) APPLICATION SUITES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to TTW Solutions, Inc. for IT support of grant reporting systems. 2. The contract is for Custom Computer Programming Services, NAICS 541511. 3. Awarded as a definitive contract with a Time and Materials pricing structure. 4. The total award value is $1,256,773 over a 3-year period. 5. This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting it may have been awarded through a limited competition or sole-source justification not detailed here. This lack of broad competition can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Without competitive bidding, taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential IT support services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and support for critical EPA grant reporting and tracking systems. Supports environmental protection efforts by maintaining the Wetland Grants Database. Potential for increased costs due to the Time and Materials contract type. Limited competition raises concerns about optimal use of taxpayer funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Time and Materials pricing
Potential for cost overruns

Positive Signals

Supports critical EPA systems
Ensures continuity of operations

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT services, specifically custom computer programming. IT support for government systems is a common area of federal spending, with benchmarks varying widely based on complexity and service level agreements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to TTW SOLUTIONS, INC. It is not indicated whether this is a small business, and the contract was not competed under SAP, which often includes set-asides for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs and ensure efficient service delivery. The EPA's contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance and expenditures.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Time and Materials pricing structure
Potential for cost overruns
Limited transparency on justification for limited competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1.3 million to TTW SOLUTIONS, INC.. IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE GRANT REPORTING AND TRACKING SYSTEM (GRTS) AND THE WETLAND GRANTS DATABASE (WGD) APPLICATION SUITES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TTW SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-20. End: 2026-10-19.

What specific factors led to the decision not to compete this contract under SAP, and what is the justification for a limited competition?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This suggests a potential justification for limited competition, possibly due to urgency, unique capabilities of TTW Solutions, or other factors. A full understanding would require reviewing the contract's justification and approval documents to assess if fair and reasonable pricing was achieved and if taxpayer interests were fully protected.

How will the EPA ensure cost control and value for money with a Time and Materials contract for IT support services?

Effective cost control for Time and Materials contracts relies on robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and regular reviews of labor hours and rates. The EPA should implement strict monitoring of TTW Solutions' performance, compare actual costs against established benchmarks, and ensure that the scope of work is well-defined and adhered to, preventing scope creep and unnecessary expenditures.

What is the potential impact on the GRTS and WGD applications if TTW Solutions' performance is suboptimal, given the lack of competitive pressure?

Suboptimal performance could lead to disruptions in grant reporting and tracking, potentially impacting the EPA's ability to manage environmental programs effectively. Without the pressure of a competitive environment, there's a risk that TTW Solutions might be less incentivized to proactively address issues or innovate, necessitating strong contract management and performance standards from the EPA.

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 - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 68HERD23Q0015

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6550 ROCK SPRING DR, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,538,081

Exercised Options: $1,538,081

Current Obligation: $1,256,773

Actual Outlays: $987,385

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline