Doj's FBI Awards $7.3M Contract for Lims FA, With Octo Consulting Group LLC As Prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,303,086 ($7.3M)

Contractor: Octo Consulting Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2022-09-26

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,465 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: LIMS FA

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $7.3 million to OCTO CONSULTING GROUP LLC for work described as: LIMS FA Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 4-year duration and Time and Materials pricing structure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators include the Time and Materials pricing, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. 4. Performance context is within the FBI's IT modernization efforts, aiming to improve laboratory information management. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically computer systems design, a common area for federal contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $7.3 million over approximately four years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT services contracts for system design and integration is necessary for a precise value assessment. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not meticulously managed and monitored by the agency. Without specific performance metrics or comparison data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent value, but it falls within a reasonable range for specialized IT support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the nature of the competition suggests a robust market for computer systems design services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, increasing the likelihood of obtaining the best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its laboratory divisions, which will receive enhanced IT support. Services delivered include computer systems design, crucial for the development and maintenance of laboratory information management systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the FBI's operational areas, supporting national law enforcement and forensic capabilities. Workforce implications may include support for IT professionals and analysts involved in the LIMS FA project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The duration of the contract (over 4 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.
Dependence on a single prime contractor for critical IT systems design services.
Potential for scope creep without clear performance metrics and change control.
Ensuring adequate cybersecurity measures are implemented and maintained for sensitive data.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
The contract supports critical FBI functions related to laboratory information management.
The prime contractor, OCTO CONSULTING GROUP LLC, has a track record in federal contracting.
The contract has a defined period of performance, allowing for periodic reassessment.
The agency (DOJ) has established procurement processes to manage such contracts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and integration. The market for these services is large and highly competitive, with numerous firms capable of supporting federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar IT modernization projects within law enforcement or intelligence agencies, looking at contract values, durations, and service scopes to gauge relative cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, OCTO CONSULTING GROUP LLC, is likely a mid-to-large sized business. Opportunities for small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan, if any, and their willingness to engage smaller specialized IT firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mechanisms likely include contract officers, program managers, and potentially the DOJ Office of the Inspector General for audits and investigations. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award details. Accountability rests on the contractor's performance against the contract's terms and conditions, and the agency's diligence in monitoring progress and expenditures.

Related Government Programs

FBI Laboratory Services
Department of Justice IT Modernization Programs
Law Enforcement Information Systems
Forensic Science Technology Initiatives
Federal IT Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Cost Overruns
Scope Creep Risk
Contract Duration Requires Sustained Oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $7.3 million to OCTO CONSULTING GROUP LLC. LIMS FA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OCTO CONSULTING GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-26. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of OCTO CONSULTING GROUP LLC with the federal government, particularly in IT services?

OCTO CONSULTING GROUP LLC has a significant presence in federal contracting, with numerous awards across various agencies. Their portfolio often includes IT services, management consulting, and professional support. A detailed review of their past performance, including customer satisfaction ratings, past performance evaluations, and any history of contract disputes or corrective actions, would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and reliability for this specific LIMS FA contract. Their experience with similar systems or projects within law enforcement or intelligence agencies would be particularly relevant.

How does the $7.3 million contract value compare to similar IT system design contracts awarded by the FBI or DOJ?

Benchmarking this $7.3 million contract requires comparing it against similar contracts for Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512) awarded by the FBI or Department of Justice over the past few years. Key comparison points include contract duration, scope of work (e.g., system development, integration, maintenance), and pricing structure (e.g., Time & Materials, Firm-Fixed-Price). If similar contracts for comparable scope and duration were awarded at significantly lower or higher values, it would indicate whether this contract's pricing is competitive. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests the price was deemed fair and reasonable at the time of award.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the project scope is not well-defined, or if project management is weak on either the contractor or government side, the hours expended and materials used can exceed initial estimates, driving up the total cost. This necessitates robust government oversight, including detailed monitoring of labor hours, verification of material costs, and strict change control processes to mitigate the risk of uncontrolled spending.

How effective is the FBI's current Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and what improvements is LIMS FA expected to bring?

Information regarding the specific effectiveness of the FBI's current LIMS and the precise expected improvements from LIMS FA is not detailed in the provided data. However, Laboratory Information Management Systems are critical for managing the vast amounts of data generated by forensic and analytical laboratories. Enhancements typically aim to improve data accuracy, streamline workflows, reduce turnaround times for analyses, enhance data sharing capabilities, ensure chain of custody, and support compliance with accreditation standards. LIMS FA likely represents an upgrade or modernization effort to address limitations in the existing system, such as outdated technology, scalability issues, or lack of integration with other FBI systems.

What is the historical spending trend for Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512) by the Department of Justice?

Analyzing historical spending trends for NAICS 541512 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) would require accessing comprehensive federal procurement data over several fiscal years. Generally, spending in this category tends to be substantial and often increases as agencies modernize their IT infrastructure, adopt new technologies, and enhance data management capabilities. The DOJ, encompassing agencies like the FBI, DEA, and others, relies heavily on sophisticated IT systems for investigations, data analysis, and operational support. Therefore, consistent or growing expenditure in computer systems design services is expected, reflecting the ongoing need for IT evolution within the department.

Are there any specific performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) defined for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for a contract of this nature, particularly one involving system design and development, KPIs would typically focus on aspects such as adherence to project schedules, quality of deliverables (e.g., system functionality, bug rates), system performance post-implementation (e.g., uptime, response times), and user satisfaction. The effectiveness of oversight and the ability to manage the T&M pricing structure are heavily dependent on clearly defined and measurable KPIs that the agency can use to track contractor performance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10780 PARKRIDGE BLVD FL 4, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,071,001

Exercised Options: $7,303,086

Current Obligation: $7,303,086

Actual Outlays: $6,428,162

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0234W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline