DOJ awards $17M for automated litigation support, with CACI LLC securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,021,571 ($17.0M)

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: $9.3K/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 $17.0 million to CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL for work described as: MEGA5 AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $17M over 5 years suggests a significant need for ongoing legal support services. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process, which can drive better pricing. 3. The contract's duration of 1825 days (5 years) allows for sustained service delivery and potential for contractor efficiency gains. 4. Awarded to CACI, LLC, a large contractor, this may indicate a focus on established capabilities and scale. 5. The NAICS code 541199 (All Other Legal Services) points to a broad scope of potential litigation support activities. 6. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed diligently.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more granular data on the specific services provided. However, a $17M award over five years for legal support services is substantial. Without comparable contract data for similar automated litigation support, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable and do not escalate beyond expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders were likely considered. This approach generally promotes a wider range of offers and can lead to more competitive pricing. The presence of four bidders (no=4) indicates a moderate level of competition for this specific award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down costs through market forces, ensuring federal dollars are used more efficiently.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in managing its litigation caseload through automated support. Legal professionals within the DOJ will receive support for tasks such as document review, e-discovery, and case management. The services are likely to be delivered primarily within the United States, supporting federal legal operations. The contract supports a workforce of legal professionals and support staff, both within the government and potentially at the contractor's facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed and monitored.
The broad scope of 'All Other Legal Services' may present challenges in precisely defining and controlling service delivery.
Reliance on a single large contractor (CACI, LLC) could limit future flexibility or create vendor lock-in.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract's five-year duration allows for stable service provision and potential for economies of scale.
CACI, LLC is a well-established government contractor with a track record in IT and professional services.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector within the federal government is a significant area of spending, encompassing a wide range of support functions. Automated litigation support services are increasingly crucial for managing the volume and complexity of modern legal cases. This contract fits within the broader IT and professional services categories, where efficiency gains through technology are a key objective. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other large federal agencies requiring similar e-discovery and case management solutions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. While CACI, LLC is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, depending on CACI's subcontracting plan. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent to which subcontracting opportunities are offered and utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services
E-Discovery Services
Litigation Support
Professional Services
Information Technology Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type carries inherent cost escalation risks.
Broad 'All Other Legal Services' scope may lead to scope creep or unclear deliverables.
Dependence on a single large contractor could limit future flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $17.0 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 $17.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern for automated litigation support services at the Department of Justice?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for automated litigation support at the Department of Justice requires access to detailed procurement data over several fiscal years. Without specific historical data for this exact service category, we can infer trends from broader legal services and IT support spending. Federal agencies, including the DOJ, have increasingly relied on technology to manage legal processes, driven by the explosion of electronic data and the need for efficiency. This trend suggests a likely increase in spending on automated litigation support over time, moving from manual processes to more sophisticated digital solutions. The $17M award for this contract indicates a significant and ongoing investment in this capability, aligning with the general trajectory of federal agencies adopting technology to streamline operations and manage complex legal challenges.

How does the per-unit cost of CACI's services compare to market rates for similar automated litigation support?

Determining the precise per-unit cost for CACI's services under this Time and Materials contract is challenging without specific details on labor categories, hourly rates, and the volume of services rendered. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure means costs are based on actual labor hours and material expenses incurred, plus a fixed fee or percentage for profit and overhead. To benchmark this against market rates, one would need to compare the agreed-upon hourly rates for various labor roles (e.g., paralegals, project managers, IT specialists) against industry surveys and publicly available data for similar T&M contracts awarded to other large federal contractors. Factors such as geographic location, contractor overhead, and the specific skill sets required will influence these rates. A comprehensive analysis would involve comparing CACI's billed rates for comparable roles against benchmarks from sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics or specialized legal support industry reports.

What is CACI's track record with the Department of Justice and similar federal agencies for litigation support?

CACI, LLC has a substantial track record as a government contractor, including significant work with the Department of Justice and other federal agencies. They are known for providing a wide range of IT and professional services, which often encompass support for complex government operations. Their experience typically includes areas like enterprise IT, cybersecurity, data analytics, and business systems modernization. For litigation support specifically, CACI has been involved in providing services related to e-discovery, case management, and legal process automation. A review of federal procurement databases would reveal numerous past awards to CACI from various agencies, including the DOJ, for services that align with or directly support litigation functions. Their long-standing presence in the federal contracting space suggests a familiarity with government requirements, compliance, and performance expectations.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this automated litigation support contract would likely focus on efficiency, accuracy, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness. Specific KPIs could include metrics such as the average time to process and review documents, the accuracy rate of data extraction and analysis, adherence to project deadlines, and the successful completion of e-discovery tasks within defined parameters. For a Time and Materials contract, monitoring the efficient utilization of labor hours and the justification of material costs would also be critical. The Department of Justice would establish these KPIs in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) and monitor them through regular contractor reporting and performance reviews. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual remedies, including potential financial penalties or termination.

What is the potential risk 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 type, such as the one awarded to CACI for litigation support, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a negotiated profit. If not managed diligently, this structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work, as the contractor is paid for time spent. For the government, this necessitates robust oversight, including detailed tracking of hours, verification of work performed, and strict adherence to ceilings or limits defined in the contract. Without effective monitoring and control, the total cost of the contract could exceed initial estimates, diminishing the overall value for money.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE 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: $20,711,072

Exercised Options: $17,021,571

Current Obligation: $17,021,571

Actual Outlays: $15,141,834

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000368

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline