DOJ awards $1.9M FFRDC contract to MITRE for NSEC support services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,912,818 ($1.9M)
Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2021-04-01
End Date: 2023-03-31
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/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 $1.9 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: FFRDC NSEC SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. MITRE, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), holds this contract. 2. The contract is for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 3. This is a delivery order under an existing contract. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee. 5. The contract duration is 729 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a delivery order, making direct pricing comparisons difficult without knowing the base contract's terms. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure suggests costs are monitored, but potential for overruns exists.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces competitive pressure, which could impact overall value for taxpayer dollars.
Taxpayer Impact: As a sole-source award to an FFRDC, the taxpayer impact is tied to the justification for not competing and the oversight applied to the cost-plus contract.
Public Impact
FFRDCs are government-sponsored but privately operated organizations, often used for research and development. The FBI utilizes these services for specialized technical and scientific support. The lack of competition raises questions about cost-effectiveness and alternative solutions. Transparency in FFRDC contracts is crucial for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- FFRDC status may imply unique capabilities, but requires justification for non-competition.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes a specialized FFRDC for critical support.
- Delivery order structure allows for phased execution.
- Fixed fee component provides some cost control.
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad. FFRDCs like MITRE often operate in specialized areas, and their unique capabilities can justify non-competitive awards, though benchmarks are difficult to establish without specific service details.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to MITRE, a large FFRDC, and there is no indication of small business participation in this specific award. The nature of FFRDC work often involves highly specialized expertise.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is critical for cost-plus, sole-source contracts. The FBI must ensure rigorous monitoring of costs, performance, and adherence to the fixed fee to ensure accountability and value.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition.
- Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contracts.
- Limited transparency on specific service details.
- No clear indication of small business utilization.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-justice, va, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $1.9 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 $1.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-04-01. End: 2023-03-31.
What specific technical or scientific support does NSEC require that necessitates an FFRDC and a sole-source award?
The justification for a sole-source award to an FFRDC like MITRE typically stems from unique, specialized expertise or capabilities that cannot be readily replicated by other entities. For NSEC support, this could involve advanced research, complex system analysis, or objective technical advice critical to national security or law enforcement operations, where prior government investment in the FFRDC's capabilities makes competition impractical or detrimental to mission success.
How are costs managed and justified under this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract to ensure fair pricing?
Under a CPFF contract, the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. Effective management requires stringent oversight of incurred costs, regular audits, and clear definition of the fixed fee's scope. The FBI must ensure that all costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable, and that the fixed fee adequately compensates MITRE for the defined scope without incentivizing unnecessary cost escalation.
What is the long-term strategy for obtaining these NSEC support services, and will future requirements be competed?
The long-term strategy for acquiring NSEC support services is unclear from this award alone. While FFRDCs are valuable partners, the government should periodically reassess whether the unique capabilities justifying a sole-source award persist. Future requirements should be evaluated for potential competition, especially if the nature of the services evolves or if alternative sources develop, to ensure continued best value and promote innovation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
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: $2,784,478
Exercised Options: $2,171,531
Current Obligation: $1,912,818
Actual Outlays: $1,549,634
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: 2021-04-01
Current End Date: 2023-03-31
Potential End Date: 2023-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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