DOJ's FBI awards $1.95M contract for acquisition support, raising questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,949,832 ($1.9M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 212 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS REQUIREMENT PROVIDE ACQUISITION BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION (ABT) SUPPORT TO INTEGRATION PROJECT TEAM (IPT).

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $1.9 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: THIS REQUIREMENT PROVIDE ACQUISITION BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION (ABT) SUPPORT TO INTEGRATION PROJECT TEAM (IPT). Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price discovery and potentially increasing costs. 2. The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is competitive, making the sole-source award notable. 3. Performance period extends over 212 days, suggesting a focused, short-term need for transformation support. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not closely managed. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating potential missed opportunities for small business participation. 6. The contractor, Accenture Federal Services LLC, is a large, established entity in the federal contracting space.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $1.95 million contract is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and performance metrics. However, the administrative management and general management consulting services sector typically sees a wide range of pricing based on complexity and contractor expertise. Given the sole-source nature, it's difficult to assess if competitive pricing was achieved. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the value delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the FBI did not conduct a competitive bidding process. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when urgency precludes a full competition. The lack of competition means that taxpayers did not benefit from the price discovery that typically occurs in a competitive environment, potentially leading to a higher price than might have been achieved otherwise.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source award limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price through market competition, potentially resulting in less value for taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will receive acquisition business transformation support. This support is intended to aid the Integration Project Team (IPT) in their transformation efforts. The primary beneficiary is the FBI's internal operational efficiency and acquisition processes. The contract's impact on the broader workforce or geographic areas is not specified but likely internal to the FBI.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed stringently.
Lack of small business participation may limit opportunities for smaller, specialized firms.

Positive Signals

Accenture Federal Services LLC is a well-established contractor with significant experience in federal consulting.
The contract duration is defined, providing a clear timeframe for the support needed.
The focus on acquisition business transformation suggests an effort to improve critical government functions.

Sector Analysis

The federal consulting services market, particularly within administrative management and general management, is robust and highly competitive. This contract falls under the broader professional services sector, which includes a wide array of specialized expertise. The FBI's need for acquisition business transformation support aligns with ongoing government-wide efforts to modernize procurement processes and improve efficiency. Comparable spending in this category can vary significantly based on the scope and duration of the transformation initiative.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited. While Accenture Federal Services LLC may engage small businesses in its broader operations, this particular award does not directly contribute to the federal small business contracting goals through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's internal contracting and program management offices, with potential involvement from the FBI's own oversight bodies. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice may also have jurisdiction for audits or investigations if concerns arise regarding performance or financial impropriety. Transparency is dependent on the agency's willingness to release contract details beyond what is statutorily required.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice IT and Management Consulting Services
FBI Acquisition Support Contracts
Federal Management Consulting Services
Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Time and Materials contract type poses cost control risks.
Limited transparency on specific transformation goals and metrics.
No explicit small business participation requirements noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $1.9 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. THIS REQUIREMENT PROVIDE ACQUISITION BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION (ABT) SUPPORT TO INTEGRATION PROJECT TEAM (IPT).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES 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 $1.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2026-04-30.

What specific acquisition business transformation initiatives will this contract support?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'ACQUISITION BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION (ABT) SUPPORT TO INTEGRATION PROJECT TEAM (IPT)'. While the specific initiatives are not detailed, ABT typically involves modernizing procurement processes, improving efficiency, enhancing data analytics for acquisition decisions, streamlining workflows, and ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations. The support is directed towards an Integration Project Team, suggesting efforts to align or consolidate acquisition functions, possibly across different units or systems within the FBI.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. Agencies typically award sole-source contracts when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services. This could be due to unique expertise, proprietary technology, or urgent needs that preclude a lengthy competitive process. Without further justification from the FBI, the exact reason for the sole-source award remains unclear, but it implies a belief that Accenture Federal Services LLC was the only viable option for this specific requirement at the time of award.

What is the typical cost range for similar administrative management and general management consulting services contracts?

The cost range for administrative management and general management consulting services varies widely depending on the scope, duration, complexity, and the specific expertise required. Contracts can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. For a contract valued at approximately $1.95 million over roughly seven months, it falls within the mid-to-high range for specialized support. However, without knowing the specific deliverables and the level of consultant seniority, a precise benchmark is difficult. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of this contract means the final cost is dependent on actual hours worked and rates charged.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for this type of service?

The primary risk with T&M contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or percentage. If the contractor's efficiency is low, or if the scope of work expands without adequate controls, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. For acquisition business transformation, where requirements might evolve, robust oversight is crucial to manage scope creep and ensure that hours billed are reasonable and directly related to the defined objectives. This necessitates close monitoring of timesheets and deliverables.

What is Accenture Federal Services LLC's track record with the FBI or similar agencies?

Accenture Federal Services LLC is a major player in the federal IT and management consulting space, holding numerous contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Justice and the FBI. They have a documented history of providing a wide range of services, from digital transformation and cybersecurity to program management and acquisition support. Their extensive experience suggests a strong capability to deliver on complex projects. However, the specific performance history on similar FBI contracts would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reviews.

How does this contract align with broader federal efforts in acquisition reform?

This contract directly aligns with ongoing federal acquisition reform initiatives aimed at modernizing procurement processes, improving efficiency, and leveraging technology. Agencies like the FBI are under pressure to adopt more agile and data-driven acquisition strategies. By providing 'Acquisition Business Transformation support,' this contract likely aims to help the FBI streamline its processes, reduce acquisition lead times, enhance strategic sourcing, and improve overall contract management, contributing to the government's broader goals of achieving better value and faster delivery of critical services and goods.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Novetta Solutions, LLC

Address: 800 N GLEBE RD STE 300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,218,774

Exercised Options: $1,949,832

Current Obligation: $1,949,832

Actual Outlays: $1,066,873

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline