DOJ awards $11.8M FFRDC contract to MITRE for NSEC support services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,831,096 ($11.8M)
Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2019-09-23
End Date: 2024-07-14
Contract Duration: 1,756 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FFRDC NSEC SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $11.8 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: FFRDC NSEC SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. MITRE, a well-established FFRDC, holds this contract. 2. The contract is for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 3. This is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type. 4. The contract has a long duration of 1756 days. 5. No small business participation is noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without specific task details, but the overall value is significant for specialized support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to MITRE. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces competitive pressure on cost and innovation.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are committed without competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher costs than if the services were competed.
Public Impact
FBI relies on MITRE for critical NSEC support services. Long-term contract suggests ongoing need for specialized expertise. Lack of competition raises questions about cost-effectiveness for taxpayers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can incentivize spending.
- No small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC).
- Long contract duration indicates sustained need.
- Specific agency (FBI) and support type (NSEC) are identified.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category. FFRDCs like MITRE are often used for complex, long-term, and sensitive government support functions where specialized expertise is paramount.
Small Business Impact
The contract explicitly states no small business participation. This suggests the services required are highly specialized and likely performed by the FFRDC directly, bypassing opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the FBI is receiving fair value and that the contract terms are being met effectively. Regular performance reviews are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Long contract duration may reduce agility.
- Specific services (NSEC) are not clearly defined in the provided data.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-justice, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $11.8 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. FFRDC NSEC SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-23. End: 2024-07-14.
What specific NSEC support services does MITRE provide to the FBI under this contract, and how do these services align with the FBI's mission objectives?
The contract specifies 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for NSEC support. While the exact nature of NSEC is not detailed, it likely pertains to national security or sensitive operational functions. MITRE's role as an FFRDC suggests they provide high-level analysis, research, and technical guidance critical to the FBI's strategic goals in these areas, ensuring specialized expertise is applied to complex challenges.
Given the sole-source award, what mechanisms are in place to ensure MITRE's pricing remains competitive and represents good value for taxpayer dollars?
As a sole-source award to an FFRDC, direct price competition is absent. Value is typically assessed through rigorous contract oversight, performance metrics, and adherence to established FFRDC fee structures. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure requires careful monitoring of costs against the fixed fee to prevent excessive spending and ensure efficient service delivery.
How does the long contract duration (1756 days) impact the FBI's ability to adapt to evolving NSEC requirements and leverage potentially more innovative solutions over time?
A long contract duration provides stability and continuity for critical support services, allowing the FBI to rely on MITRE's deep institutional knowledge. However, it can also create inertia, potentially delaying the adoption of newer technologies or approaches. The FBI must actively manage the contract, incorporating flexibility and regular reviews to ensure it remains aligned with evolving needs and opportunities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,003,557
Exercised Options: $15,994,584
Current Obligation: $11,831,096
Actual Outlays: $15,918,978
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15F06719D0000649
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-09-23
Current End Date: 2024-07-14
Potential End Date: 2024-07-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-26
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