EPA Spends $9M on IT Support Services, Awarded to SCI Consulting Services, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,004,821 ($9.0M)
Contractor: SCI Consulting Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Start Date: 2010-10-01
End Date: 2017-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,373 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR EOC/COOP
Place of Performance
Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27711
Plain-Language Summary
Environmental Protection Agency obligated $9.0 million to SCI CONSULTING SERVICES, INC. for work described as: IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR EOC/COOP Key points: 1. The contract for IT Support Services for EOC/COOP was awarded to SCI Consulting Services, Inc. for $9,004,821.33. 2. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 indicates custom computer programming services. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The period of performance was from October 1, 2010, to March 31, 2017, spanning over 6 years. 5. The contract type was Time and Materials, which can pose risks if not managed carefully.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $9,004,821.33 for IT support services over nearly 7 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts would be necessary to definitively assess pricing fairness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad solicitation process. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential contractors to bid, leading to potentially better price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process likely ensured taxpayers received fair value for the IT support services procured.
Public Impact
Environmental protection initiatives rely on robust IT infrastructure and support, impacting agency efficiency. The long duration of the contract suggests a sustained need for these IT services. The use of Time and Materials pricing could lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. The specific nature of EOC/COOP (Emergency Operations Center/Continuity of Operations) implies critical government functions are supported.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration may indicate lack of flexibility for evolving needs.
- No indication of small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Significant contract value suggests important services were rendered.
- Clear agency and service description.
Sector Analysis
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) procures a wide range of IT services to support its mission. Spending on custom computer programming services, like this contract, is typical for agencies requiring specialized software development and IT support. Benchmarks for IT support services vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. However, the long duration and Time and Materials nature warrant scrutiny to ensure accountability and prevent cost creep.
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 small business participation.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current technological needs.
- Limited insight into specific performance metrics and value achieved.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, environmental-protection-agency, nc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Environmental Protection Agency awarded $9.0 million to SCI CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.. IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR EOC/COOP
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCI CONSULTING SERVICES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-10-01. End: 2017-03-31.
What was the specific scope of 'IT Support Services for EOC/COOP' and how did it evolve over the contract's duration?
The scope likely encompassed maintaining and enhancing the IT infrastructure and systems critical for the Environmental Protection Agency's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans. This would include network management, hardware/software support, cybersecurity, and potentially application development or maintenance. Over its nearly seven-year duration, the scope may have evolved to incorporate new technologies, address emerging threats, or adapt to changing operational requirements for disaster preparedness and response.
How effectively was the Time and Materials pricing structure managed to control costs and ensure value for money?
Effective management of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract requires rigorous oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, material costs, and adherence to pre-defined ceilings or CLINs. The EPA would need robust mechanisms to validate invoices, monitor contractor performance against requirements, and ensure that the hours billed were reasonable and necessary for the work performed. Without specific performance data or audit reports, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness of cost control measures.
Did the full and open competition process result in the best possible technical solution and price for these critical IT support services?
Full and open competition is designed to maximize the chances of obtaining both the best technical solution and the most competitive price by allowing all responsible sources to submit offers. The success of this process depends on the clarity of the solicitation's requirements, the evaluation criteria used, and the competitiveness of the bids received. While the process itself is sound, a thorough review of the awarded proposal against others, if available, would be needed to confirm if it truly represented the optimal outcome.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: MISCELLANEOUS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4005 TAYLOR DR, FAIRFAX, VA, 22032
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,536,139
Exercised Options: $11,536,139
Current Obligation: $9,004,821
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F4699H
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-10-01
Current End Date: 2017-03-31
Potential End Date: 2025-09-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-02
More Contracts from SCI Consulting Services, Inc.
- Information Technology Services for DOE OAK Ridge Site Contractors — $97.7M (Department of Energy)
- Tier I Level SYS Support Svcs for CG CAS Help Desk and CG Core Accounting System Support Base Year + 4 Option Years Igce, PWS & Qasp Attached to DOC Remarks — $31.6M (Department of Homeland Security)
- Federal Contract — $14.7M (Department of Energy)
Other Environmental Protection Agency Contracts
- Remedial Action Contract 2 — $383.3M (CH2M Hill, Inc)
- A&E Services — $309.2M (Sultrac, JV)
- Federal Contract — $181.4M (Weston Solutions Inc)
- Central Data Exchange (CDX) Support Services — $160.9M (CGI Federal Inc.)
- This Remedial Action Contract 2 Full Service (RAC 2 FS) for Epa's Region 8 Provides Professional Architect/Engineer, Technical, and Management Services to Support Remedial Response, Enforcement Oversight and Non-Time Critical Removal Activities Under Cercla, AS Amended by Sara; and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance ACT Pursuant to the Federal Response Plan (FRP) and Other Laws to Help Address And/Or Mitigate Endangerment to the Public Health, Welfare or Environment, and to Support States and Communities in Preparing for Responses to Releases of Hazardous Substances, AS Well AS Counter-Terrorism — $145.9M (CDM Federal Programs Corporation)