ECS Federal LLC awarded $24.9M for DARPA MTO SETA support, highlighting a need for specialized technical consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,904,772 ($24.9M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2016-11-01

End Date: 2021-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY MICROSYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY OFFICE (DARPA/MTO)ARCHITECTURES&ALGORITHMS SETA SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $24.9 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY MICROSYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY OFFICE (DARPA/MTO)ARCHITECTURES&ALGORITHMS SETA SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $24.9M over five years suggests a significant investment in specialized technical support. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust market for these services. 3. Performance period of 1825 days (5 years) allows for sustained support and project continuity. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690 points to a focus on other scientific and technical consulting services. 5. The contract type, Time and Materials, can introduce cost variability if not closely managed. 6. The award was made to ECS Federal, LLC, a single contractor, suggesting a specific capability match.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.9 million over five years for SETA support to DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar contracts for advanced research project support indicates that pricing for highly technical consulting services can vary significantly. Without specific details on the labor categories and hours, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult, but the overall award size suggests a substantial commitment to acquiring expert assistance for complex technological initiatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that it was competed openly suggests that the government sought to maximize the pool of potential offerors to ensure the best value. The number of bidders is not specified, but open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to a broader array of innovative solutions, as contractors are incentivized to offer their best capabilities and pricing to win the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the researchers and program managers within DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office, who receive critical support for managing and advancing complex microelectronics and related technologies. The services delivered likely include program management support, technical analysis, strategic planning, and acquisition assistance for cutting-edge research and development projects. The geographic impact is centered around DARPA's operations, primarily in Virginia, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include the employment of highly skilled technical consultants and program support personnel by ECS Federal, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently, as it directly reimburses labor hours and material costs.
The specific technical expertise required for DARPA projects is highly specialized, potentially limiting the pool of qualified contractors and increasing reliance on incumbent or specialized firms.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
The five-year duration provides stability and allows for deep integration of support services into DARPA's long-term strategic goals.
The contract supports a critical national security and technological advancement mission within DARPA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Scientific and Technical Consulting Services sector, a segment of the broader professional services market that supports government research and development initiatives. The market for SETA (Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance) support is highly specialized, often requiring deep domain expertise in areas like advanced microelectronics, as pursued by DARPA's MTO. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of DARPA's mission, but significant investments are common for agencies focused on cutting-edge technological development.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. The prime contractor, ECS Federal, LLC, is likely a mid-to-large-sized business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific prime contract award is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officers and program managers within DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, performance work statements, and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, although specific project details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DARPA Research and Development Contracts
Department of Defense SETA Support
Advanced Microelectronics Research
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost growth due to Time and Materials contract type.
Risk of contractor lock-in or reduced innovation over a long contract duration.
Dependence on specialized expertise potentially limiting contractor pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $24.9 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY MICROSYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY OFFICE (DARPA/MTO)ARCHITECTURES&ALGORITHMS SETA SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-11-01. End: 2021-10-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'Architectures & Algorithms SETA Support' provided to DARPA/MTO?

The 'Architectures & Algorithms SETA Support' for DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) likely involves providing expert technical and programmatic assistance to help manage and execute MTO's research and development programs. This can include tasks such as evaluating research proposals, providing independent technical assessments of ongoing projects, assisting in the development of program strategies and roadmaps, supporting acquisition processes, and ensuring alignment with MTO's overarching goals in areas like advanced microelectronics, integrated circuits, and related computing architectures. The 'Architectures & Algorithms' focus suggests a specialization in the design, performance, and optimization of these critical technological components.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type compare to other contract types for similar R&D support services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset or is expected to evolve, which is common in R&D environments. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M reimburses the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. While offering flexibility, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost growth for the government if not closely monitored. For similar R&D support, other contract types like Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) or Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) might be used. CPFF offers a balance by providing cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, while FFP provides the most cost certainty but requires a well-defined scope. The choice of T&M here suggests DARPA prioritized flexibility for evolving technical needs over strict cost predictability.

What is ECS Federal, LLC's track record with DARPA or similar high-technology research agencies?

ECS Federal, LLC has a history of supporting government agencies, including defense and intelligence sectors, with a range of technical and professional services. While specific details on their past performance exclusively with DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office are not provided in this data snippet, their ability to win a contract of this magnitude ($24.9M) under full and open competition suggests they possess relevant expertise and a competitive standing. Companies like ECS Federal often build their reputation by successfully executing contracts involving systems engineering, technical assistance, IT support, and program management for complex government programs. Further investigation into their contract history with agencies like the Department of Defense, intelligence community, or other R&D-focused organizations would provide a more comprehensive view of their track record.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for specialized SETA support over a five-year period?

Relying on a single contractor, even one selected through full and open competition, for specialized SETA support over five years presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of contractor 'lock-in,' where the government becomes overly dependent on the incumbent's knowledge and processes, making it difficult to switch providers or bring functions in-house. Secondly, without ongoing competitive pressure, the contractor's incentive to innovate or maintain optimal efficiency might diminish. Thirdly, key personnel turnover within the contractor organization could disrupt program continuity and institutional knowledge. Finally, if the contractor's performance or capabilities degrade over time, the government may be limited in its recourse or ability to find a suitable replacement mid-contract, especially for highly specialized roles.

How does this contract's value compare to overall spending on technical consulting services within the Department of Defense or R&D sector?

The $24.9 million awarded to ECS Federal, LLC for SETA support to DARPA's MTO represents a significant, but not exceptionally large, portion of the overall spending on technical consulting and R&D support within the Department of Defense (DoD). The DoD's annual budget runs into hundreds of billions of dollars, with substantial allocations for research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E). SETA contracts are crucial for agencies like DARPA, which rely heavily on external expertise to manage cutting-edge research. While this specific contract is substantial for the MTO program it supports, it is one among many similar contracts across the DoD that collectively amount to billions spent annually on specialized technical services to augment government capabilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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

Parent Company: Asgn Incorporated

Address: 2750 PROSPERITY AVE STE 600, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,988,445

Exercised Options: $25,388,754

Current Obligation: $24,904,772

Actual Outlays: $12,340,868

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: IND16PC00082

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline