DOJ awards $19.4M to CACI for litigation support, with 4 bidders and 5 years of service

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,428,064 ($19.4M)

Contractor: CACI, LLC - Commercial

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2021-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: MEGA5 AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $19.4 million to CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL for work described as: MEGA5 AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $19.4M over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract type (Time and Materials) can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 4. CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL is the awardee, suggesting a focus on established commercial providers. 5. The NAICS code 541199 points to a broad category of legal services, requiring specific expertise. 6. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) allows for long-term planning and service integration.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $19.4M over five years averages to approximately $3.88M annually. Without specific benchmarks for automated litigation support services, it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, the presence of four bidders in a full and open competition suggests some level of market price discovery. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not meticulously managed, as it bases payment on labor hours and material costs rather than a fixed price. This necessitates strong oversight to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with four bidders participating. This level of competition is generally positive, as it allows multiple qualified vendors to submit proposals, theoretically driving down prices and encouraging innovation. The fact that four entities vied for this work suggests a healthy market for automated litigation support services. The agency's decision to use full and open competition indicates a desire to leverage the broadest possible market to secure the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this one benefits taxpayers by fostering a marketplace where providers must offer competitive pricing and demonstrate strong capabilities to win the contract. This reduces the likelihood of overpaying for services and ensures the government receives quality support.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from enhanced capabilities in managing and processing legal case information. Automated litigation support services are delivered to various offices, boards, and divisions within the DOJ. The services provided likely improve efficiency in legal research, document review, and case management. The contract supports the administration of justice by ensuring the DOJ has the tools to handle complex legal matters. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized legal support staff or the augmentation of existing teams.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials contract type carries inherent risk of cost escalation if not closely monitored.
The broad NAICS code (541199) may indicate a need for specialized expertise that could be difficult to source.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical function like litigation support could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarding under full and open competition with four bidders suggests a robust and competitive market.
The five-year duration allows for continuity of service and potential for deeper integration with DOJ systems.
CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL is an established entity, potentially bringing significant experience and stability to the contract.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector, particularly within government contracting, is highly specialized. This contract falls under the 'All Other Legal Services' category (NAICS 541199), which encompasses a wide range of support functions beyond traditional legal representation. The market for litigation support services is driven by the increasing volume and complexity of legal cases, necessitating technological solutions for efficient document management, e-discovery, and case analysis. Spending in this area is often tied to agency caseloads and regulatory environments. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other large federal agencies managing significant litigation.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL chooses to engage them. Without explicit subcontracting goals or requirements mentioned, the extent of small business participation is uncertain. The focus on a large commercial provider may limit direct opportunities for small businesses to compete for the prime contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Justice's Offices, Boards and Divisions. The Time and Materials contract type necessitates rigorous monitoring of labor hours, material costs, and task completion to ensure adherence to the contract terms and prevent cost overruns. Transparency is facilitated through contract reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice - Legal Services
Federal Litigation Support Services
Automated Document Management Systems
E-Discovery Services Contracts
Commercial Legal Support Providers

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (T&M Contract Type)
Performance Monitoring Intensity Required
Scope Creep Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $19.4 million to CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL. MEGA5 AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL's track record with similar federal litigation support contracts?

CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL has a substantial history of performing federal contracts, including those related to information technology, professional services, and support functions. While specific details on their 'automated litigation support services' performance for the DOJ would require deeper analysis of past performance evaluations and contract histories, CACI is generally recognized as a large, experienced government contractor. Their portfolio often includes complex IT solutions and support services for various federal agencies. Reviewing past performance questionnaires (PPQs) and any contract award histories for similar services would provide a clearer picture of their specific expertise and reliability in this domain. It's important to note that 'litigation support' can encompass a wide range of activities, from document management to complex data analytics, and CACI's experience may vary across these sub-specialties.

How does the $19.4M award compare to historical spending on similar DOJ litigation support services?

To compare this $19.4M award to historical DOJ spending on similar litigation support services, one would need to analyze past contract data for the relevant NAICS codes (primarily 541199, but potentially others related to IT support for legal functions) over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts with similar scopes of work, such as automated document processing, e-discovery, legal research tools, and case management systems. The analysis should consider the duration of those contracts and their total value. A direct comparison would reveal whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these services. Factors like inflation, changes in caseloads, and technological advancements would need to be considered for a nuanced comparison. Without access to a comprehensive historical contract database filtered for these specific services and agency, a precise benchmark is not feasible.

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

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for automated litigation support services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the contractor's labor hours are not efficiently managed, or if the scope of work expands without proper controls, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. For litigation support, this could mean extended review times, inefficient data processing, or unexpected material needs. To mitigate this risk, the government must implement robust oversight, closely monitor labor hours and resource utilization, and ensure that task orders are well-defined and managed. Clear performance metrics and regular progress reviews are essential to keep costs in check and ensure value for money.

How effective are automated litigation support services in improving the DOJ's overall case management efficiency?

Automated litigation support services are generally considered highly effective in improving the DOJ's overall case management efficiency, particularly for large and complex cases. These services leverage technology to automate tasks such as document review, data extraction, legal research, and evidence organization, which are traditionally labor-intensive and time-consuming. By reducing the manual effort required, these tools can significantly speed up case preparation, discovery, and trial processes. This leads to faster resolution of legal matters, reduced legal costs, and allows legal professionals to focus on higher-level strategic tasks rather than administrative burdens. The effectiveness is contingent on the proper implementation, integration with existing systems, and the skill of the personnel utilizing the technology. When deployed effectively, they can handle vast volumes of data that would be unmanageable through manual means.

What is the typical market size and competitive landscape for federal automated litigation support services?

The market for federal automated litigation support services is substantial and growing, driven by the increasing complexity and volume of legal cases across government agencies. This sector includes a mix of large, established government contractors (like CACI) and specialized legal technology firms. Competition is often robust, especially for larger contracts awarded under full and open competition, as evidenced by the four bidders in this DOJ award. Key players offer a range of services, including e-discovery, document management, forensic analysis, and data analytics tailored for legal contexts. The market size can be estimated by aggregating spending across various agencies on contracts categorized under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541199, 541512, 541519) and specific service descriptions. The competitive landscape is characterized by a need for technological innovation, data security, and proven expertise in handling sensitive government information.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › All Other Legal Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,830,090

Exercised Options: $19,585,368

Current Obligation: $19,428,064

Actual Outlays: $17,574,175

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000368

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline