EPA awards $4.9M IT contract for vehicle emissions lab support to ZOLON PCS II, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,909,514 ($4.9M)

Contractor: Zolon PCS II, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-07-26

End Date: 2026-08-11

Contract Duration: 746 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ZOLON PCS II, LLC - IT &TELECOMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL VEHICLE FUEL EMISSIONS LABORATORY (NVFEL)

Place of Performance

Location: ANN ARBOR, WASHTENAW County, MICHIGAN, 48105

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $4.9 million to ZOLON PCS II, LLC for work described as: ZOLON PCS II, LLC - IT &TELECOMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL VEHICLE FUEL EMISSIONS LABORATORY (NVFEL) Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for IT and telecommunications support services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately two years presents moderate performance risk. 4. Services are critical for the National Vehicle Fuel Emissions Laboratory's operations. 5. This contract falls within the IT and Telecommunications sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.9 million for IT and telecommunications support services over approximately two years appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal laboratories would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the specific pricing of individual line items would be needed for a deeper analysis of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and multiple bids were likely received. The presence of 9 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through multiple offers.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will benefit from enhanced IT and telecommunications support. Services will ensure the smooth operation of the National Vehicle Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL). The contract supports critical environmental research and regulatory functions. Workforce implications are primarily within the IT support domain for the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition indicates a robust selection process.
The contractor, ZOLON PCS II, LLC, has been awarded this contract, suggesting they met the requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology and Telecommunications sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design services. The IT services market for government agencies is substantial, with significant spending allocated to maintaining and upgrading technological infrastructure. This contract supports a specialized laboratory environment, which often requires tailored IT solutions beyond standard office support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Further review of the solicitation documents would be necessary to determine if any small business participation goals were established or if ZOLON PCS II, LLC has a history of subcontracting with small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be proprietary.

Related Government Programs

EPA IT Support Services
National Vehicle Fuel Emissions Laboratory Operations
Computer Systems Design Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks specialized expertise.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities associated with IT infrastructure.
Dependency on contractor for critical laboratory operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4.9 million to ZOLON PCS II, LLC. ZOLON PCS II, LLC - IT &TELECOMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL VEHICLE FUEL EMISSIONS LABORATORY (NVFEL)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ZOLON PCS II, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-26. End: 2026-08-11.

What is ZOLON PCS II, LLC's track record with the EPA or similar federal agencies for IT support services?

A comprehensive review of ZOLON PCS II, LLC's contract history with the EPA and other federal agencies would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any reported issues or disputes, and the types and scale of IT services they have previously provided. Without specific data on their past performance on similar contracts, it is difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise for this particular requirement. However, being awarded a contract under full and open competition suggests they met the initial qualifications and demonstrated capability.

How does the awarded amount of $4.9 million compare to similar IT support contracts for federal laboratories?

Benchmarking this $4.9 million contract against similar IT and telecommunications support services for federal laboratories requires access to a database of comparable contracts. Factors such as the specific services required (e.g., network management, cybersecurity, software development, hardware maintenance), the duration of the contract, the size and complexity of the laboratory, and the geographic location all influence pricing. Generally, IT support for specialized research facilities can be more costly due to unique system requirements and the need for highly skilled personnel. A preliminary assessment suggests the amount is reasonable for a two-year contract supporting a national laboratory, but a detailed comparison with similar contracts would provide a more definitive value-for-money assessment.

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

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, for an IT and telecommunications support services contract, typical KPIs and SLAs would likely include metrics related to system uptime, network availability, response times for technical support requests, resolution times for issues, cybersecurity incident response, and successful implementation of IT projects. These would be formally defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) and would be used by the EPA to monitor ZOLON PCS II, LLC's performance and ensure the delivery of required services.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT and telecommunications support services at the National Vehicle Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL)?

Historical spending data for IT and telecommunications support services at the National Vehicle Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) is not provided. To establish a historical spending pattern, one would need to analyze previous contracts awarded for similar services to NVFEL or the broader Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for comparable laboratory support. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured over time. Understanding these patterns can help in assessing whether the current $4.9 million award is consistent with past investments or represents a significant increase or decrease in spending for these critical IT functions.

Are there any identified risks associated with ZOLON PCS II, LLC's performance or the nature of the IT services required?

The provided data does not explicitly detail risks associated with ZOLON PCS II, LLC's performance. However, general risks inherent in IT support contracts include potential for service disruptions, cybersecurity threats, vendor lock-in, and challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving technologies. For this specific contract, risks might also relate to the specialized nature of the NVFEL's IT environment and the criticality of its operations to EPA's mission. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. A thorough risk assessment would typically be conducted during the procurement process and managed throughout the contract lifecycle.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HERD24R0002

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 44345 PREMIER PLZ STE 120, ASHBURN, VA, 20147

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,168,633

Exercised Options: $4,919,075

Current Obligation: $4,909,514

Actual Outlays: $3,548,435

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB22D0194

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline