DOJ's $31M IT support contract awarded to Intepros Federal Inc. shows fair value despite limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,128,498 ($31.1M)

Contractor: Intepros Federal Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2020-09-23

End Date: 2025-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,772 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: EOIR EA AND PMO SERVICES BASE PERIOD INCREMENTALLY FUNDED

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $31.1 million to INTEPROS FEDERAL INCORPORATED for work described as: EOIR EA AND PMO SERVICES BASE PERIOD INCREMENTALLY FUNDED Key points: 1. The contract provides essential IT support services for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and Program Management Office (PMO). 2. While awarded under full and open competition, the exclusion of sources clause suggests potential limitations in the initial bidding pool. 3. The Time and Materials pricing structure can pose a risk for cost overruns if not managed diligently. 4. Performance is benchmarked against similar IT support contracts within the federal government. 5. The contract's duration and incremental funding indicate a phased approach to service delivery and budget allocation. 6. Intepros Federal Inc. has a track record of performance in federal IT contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $31.1 million over its period of performance appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar IT support contracts awarded by the Department of Justice and other federal agencies. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while common for IT services, requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency. Without specific details on labor categories and rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall spend is within expected ranges for this type of service.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was generally open, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation, potentially narrowing the competitive landscape. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition, which is generally sufficient to promote price discovery, but not as robust as a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The moderate competition level likely resulted in a fair price for taxpayers, avoiding the potential for significantly inflated costs that could arise from a sole-source award. However, a broader competitive field could have potentially driven prices even lower.

Public Impact

Immigration judges, asylum officers, and EOIR administrative staff benefit from reliable IT infrastructure and support, enabling efficient case processing. The contract delivers crucial IT services including system maintenance, help desk support, and potentially network management. Services are primarily delivered within the District of Columbia, impacting federal employees and operations in the nation's capital. The contract supports IT professionals employed by Intepros Federal Inc., contributing to the federal IT workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Limited competition may have restricted optimal price discovery.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure.
Scope creep could increase costs if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating some level of market vetting.
Contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for these services.
Focus on essential IT support for a critical government function (immigration review).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure. This contract represents a portion of the Department of Justice's broader IT spending, aimed at ensuring the operational efficiency of the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support services vary widely based on scope, duration, and complexity, but this $31 million award is a significant but not extraordinary investment for a multi-year, agency-wide IT support function.

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 or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The primary contractor, Intepros Federal Inc., is likely a mid-to-large-sized business, and the contract's value suggests it is not targeted towards small business set-aside programs.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The contract's incremental funding structure allows for periodic review and adjustment of funds based on performance and evolving needs. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases like FPDS. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed, the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General would likely have oversight authority over potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice IT Modernization Initiatives
Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Case Management Systems
Federal Civilian IT Support Services
Computer Systems Design and Related Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Limited competition may impact price optimization.
Dependence on contractor for critical IT functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $31.1 million to INTEPROS FEDERAL INCORPORATED. EOIR EA AND PMO SERVICES BASE PERIOD INCREMENTALLY FUNDED

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTEPROS FEDERAL INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-23. End: 2025-07-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for EOIR IT support services?

Analyzing historical spending for EOIR IT support services requires accessing detailed contract data over multiple fiscal years. Typically, agencies like the Department of Justice (DOJ) maintain consistent budgets for IT operations and maintenance to ensure continuity of services. Spending patterns can fluctuate based on system upgrades, new technology implementations, or changes in operational requirements. For EOIR, which handles complex immigration and asylum cases, sustained investment in IT is critical. Without specific historical data for this contract vehicle or similar predecessors, it's difficult to pinpoint exact trends, but federal IT spending generally shows a steady increase over time, driven by modernization efforts and increasing data volumes. This $31 million contract represents a significant, multi-year investment, suggesting a stable or growing need for these services within EOIR.

How does Intepros Federal Inc.'s performance on this contract compare to its other federal contracts?

Assessing Intepros Federal Inc.'s performance requires a review of past performance evaluations and contract award histories. Federal agencies typically maintain Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) records, which provide detailed feedback on contractor performance across various metrics such as technical execution, cost control, schedule adherence, and management. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing CPARS data for this specific contract (DOJ EOIR EA AND PMO SERVICES) against other contracts held by Intepros Federal Inc. with various federal agencies. Positive ratings across multiple contracts would indicate a consistent ability to meet federal requirements, while negative feedback on specific contracts might highlight areas needing improvement. Without direct access to CPARS data for Intepros Federal Inc., a definitive comparison cannot be made, but the continued award of contracts suggests a generally satisfactory performance history.

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

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used, plus a fixed fee or profit margin. This model can incentivize contractors to extend project timelines or increase labor hours if not rigorously managed and monitored by the government. For this DOJ contract, risks include uncontrolled increases in labor rates, inefficient task completion, and scope creep that inflates the total cost. Effective risk mitigation requires strong government oversight, detailed tracking of hours and resources, clear task definitions, and proactive communication with the contractor to ensure adherence to budget and schedule.

What is the potential impact of 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' on service quality?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause suggests that while the solicitation was broadly advertised, certain potential bidders were excluded prior to the release of the solicitation. This exclusion could be based on various factors, such as specific technical capabilities, past performance issues, or security clearances. The impact on service quality is nuanced. On one hand, excluding unqualified or high-risk vendors could theoretically lead to a higher quality pool of bidders. On the other hand, it might limit the diversity of approaches and innovations that could have emerged from a wider competitive field. If the excluded sources were capable and competitive, this clause could potentially reduce the overall quality of the applicant pool and limit the government's options, potentially impacting the final service delivery.

How does the $31.1 million contract value compare to the overall IT budget of the Department of Justice?

The Department of Justice (DOJ) manages a substantial IT budget to support its numerous agencies and diverse missions. While the exact total IT budget for the DOJ fluctuates annually, it typically runs into the billions of dollars. A contract valued at $31.1 million for IT support services, even over several years, represents a relatively small fraction of the DOJ's overall IT expenditure. This contract specifically funds essential IT operations for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Therefore, while significant in absolute terms for the services provided, its value is likely modest when viewed within the context of the entire DOJ's technology investment portfolio. This suggests that the contract is focused on a specific, critical function rather than a broad, agency-wide IT overhaul.

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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 501 SCHOOL ST SW STE 601, WASHINGTON, DC, 20024

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,691,124

Exercised Options: $34,691,122

Current Obligation: $31,128,498

Actual Outlays: $30,522,482

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98118D00019

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline