DOJ's FBI Spends $25.5M on Advanced Forensics IT with Peraton, Full Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,514,941 ($25.5M)
Contractor: Peraton Government Communications Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2019-07-25
End Date: 2023-07-24
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: CYD-TAU ADVANCED FORENSICS/AUTOMATION ITSSS STOR 170
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $25.5 million to PERATON GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS INC. for work described as: CYD-TAU ADVANCED FORENSICS/AUTOMATION ITSSS STOR 170 Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced IT forensics and automation by the FBI. 2. Contract awarded to Peraton Government Communications Inc. through full and open competition. 3. Potential risk associated with time and materials pricing model. 4. IT services sector, specifically computer-related services, is a key area of federal spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's time and materials pricing structure raises concerns about cost control compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar advanced IT forensics contracts is difficult without more granular data on labor categories and rates.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the time and materials (T&M) pricing type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored, potentially impacting the effectiveness of price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced IT capabilities. While competition is positive, the T&M structure necessitates vigilant oversight to ensure value for money and prevent unnecessary expenditure.
Public Impact
Enhances FBI's investigative capabilities through advanced technology. Supports critical law enforcement functions with specialized IT services. Potential for increased efficiency in data analysis and forensic investigations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data
- Limited visibility into specific deliverables
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Awarded to established government contractor
- Supports critical federal agency mission
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for advanced technological solutions across various agencies for data analysis, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided information.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's time and materials nature requires robust oversight from the FBI to manage costs effectively and ensure deliverables meet expectations. Regular reviews and audits would be crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
- Lack of small business participation
- Limited transparency on specific service components
- Need for strong contract oversight to ensure value
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-justice, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $25.5 million to PERATON GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS INC.. CYD-TAU ADVANCED FORENSICS/AUTOMATION ITSSS STOR 170
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PERATON GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-07-25. End: 2023-07-24.
What specific advanced forensics and automation capabilities are being procured, and how do they align with the FBI's strategic goals?
The contract likely covers specialized software, hardware, and expert services for digital forensics, data analysis, and automating investigative processes. These capabilities are crucial for the FBI to keep pace with evolving criminal tactics, process vast amounts of digital evidence efficiently, and enhance national security investigations.
What are the primary risks associated with the 'Time and Materials' pricing structure for this advanced IT services contract?
The primary risk is cost escalation, as the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor. Without strict controls, scope creep, inefficient performance, or inflated rates can significantly increase the total contract value beyond initial estimates, potentially leading to poor value for taxpayer money.
How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition' method in ensuring the best value for advanced IT services like these?
Full and open competition is generally effective in driving down prices and encouraging innovation by allowing all qualified vendors to bid. However, for highly specialized IT services, the effectiveness depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the government's ability to accurately define requirements and assess technical capabilities beyond just price.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C.
Address: 12975 WORLDGATE DR STE 7103, HERNDON, VA, 20170
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,514,941
Exercised Options: $25,514,941
Current Obligation: $25,514,941
Actual Outlays: $22,046,079
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F5497H
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-07-25
Current End Date: 2023-07-24
Potential End Date: 2023-07-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-06-02
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