EPA awards $5.86M IT support task order to Plateau Software, Inc. for ECHO and TARGET tools

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,863,448 ($5.9M)

Contractor: Plateau Software, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-08-15

End Date: 2026-08-14

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: EPA BPA OECA OC IT SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES ECHO AND TARGET TOOLS TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20460

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $5.9 million to PLATEAU SOFTWARE, INC. for work described as: EPA BPA OECA OC IT SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES ECHO AND TARGET TOOLS TASK ORDER Key points: 1. The contract focuses on IT systems support for EPA's ECHO and TARGET tools. 2. Plateau Software, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific task order. 3. The contract value is $5.86 million over a 3-year period. 4. This falls under custom computer programming services, a common IT sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $5.86M for 3 years of IT support appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts would provide a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary IT support services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and maintenance of critical EPA environmental data systems (ECHO and TARGET). Supports EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment through data management. Potential for improved data accessibility and analysis for environmental compliance and research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Potential for scope creep in IT support contracts.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical system support.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports critical environmental data infrastructure.
Long-term contract provides stability for services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Spending in this area is substantial across federal agencies, supporting a wide range of digital infrastructure and software development needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the awardee, Plateau Software, Inc., is not identified as a small business in this context. Therefore, there is no direct small business participation evident in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The EPA's contracting office is responsible for oversight. The task order structure under a BPA allows for focused management of specific IT support needs, but requires diligent monitoring to ensure performance and cost control.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT systems.
No explicit small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $5.9 million to PLATEAU SOFTWARE, INC.. EPA BPA OECA OC IT SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES ECHO AND TARGET TOOLS TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PLATEAU SOFTWARE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-15. End: 2026-08-14.

What specific IT systems and functionalities do the ECHO and TARGET tools encompass, and how critical are they to the EPA's core mission?

The ECHO (Enforcement and Compliance History Online) and TARGET (Tracking and Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions) tools are vital for the EPA's environmental protection mission. ECHO provides public access to compliance and environmental data for facilities, while TARGET tracks greenhouse gas emissions. Their criticality lies in enabling transparency, regulatory enforcement, and informed policy-making regarding environmental and climate issues.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this task order, and how will Plateau Software, Inc.'s performance be measured against them?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this task order are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for IT systems support, KPIs would include system uptime, response times for issue resolution, successful implementation of updates or patches, and adherence to security protocols. The EPA's contracting officers would be responsible for establishing and monitoring these KPIs throughout the contract period.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to fixed-price options for similar IT support services, and what are the potential risks?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts offer flexibility but can pose a risk of cost overruns if not closely managed, as costs are directly tied to labor hours and material expenses. For IT support, fixed-price contracts might offer more budget certainty if the scope is well-defined. The risk with T&M here is that the final cost could exceed the initial $5.86M estimate if inefficiencies or scope creep occur without proper oversight.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2701 PROSPERITY AVENUE, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,683,105

Exercised Options: $6,889,425

Current Obligation: $5,863,448

Actual Outlays: $5,587,577

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERD22A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline