DOJ awards $11.88M to CACI for automated litigation support, with 4 bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,877,976 ($11.9M)

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: $6.5K/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 $11.9 million to CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL for work described as: MEGA5 AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the scope of automated litigation support services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy level of interest with four bidders. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, typical for large IT-related service contracts. 4. Performance context suggests a multi-year engagement for ongoing legal support. 5. Sector positioning places this within the broader legal services and IT support industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $11.88 million over five years for automated litigation support services seems reasonable when benchmarked against similar large-scale legal technology contracts. While specific per-unit cost data is not provided, the total award suggests a significant investment in streamlining legal processes. The pricing structure, likely time and materials, allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, attracting four distinct bidders. This level of competition is generally positive, suggesting that the market has sufficient capacity and interest to respond to the government's needs. The presence of multiple bidders helps ensure that the government receives competitive pricing and a range of technical solutions, reducing the risk of vendor lock-in.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and encourages innovation among potential contractors.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from enhanced efficiency in managing and processing legal case data. Automated litigation support services are delivered, potentially speeding up discovery and case preparation. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting DOJ operations across various jurisdictions. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT and legal support personnel within the DOJ or its contractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if time and materials basis is not tightly managed.
Dependence on contractor's technology and personnel could lead to performance risks.
Scope creep could increase the overall cost beyond the initial $11.88 million estimate.

Positive Signals

Award to an established contractor (CACI) suggests a degree of reliability.
Full and open competition indicates a robust market response.
Long-term contract duration allows for stable service provision.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically legal services augmented by technology. The market for litigation support services, including e-discovery and case management, is substantial and growing, driven by increasing data volumes and complexity in legal proceedings. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large federal agencies procuring similar IT-enabled legal support solutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and the impact on the small business ecosystem will depend on whether CACI utilizes small business subcontractors. Without specific subcontracting plans, the direct benefit to small businesses is uncertain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of Justice's procurement and program management offices. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services
IT Professional Services
E-Discovery Services
Case Management Systems
Department of Justice Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Dependence on contractor's technology and personnel.
Need for robust oversight to manage scope and performance.
Data security and privacy considerations for sensitive legal information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $11.9 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 $11.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

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

CACI, LLC has a significant history of contracting with the Department of Justice and other federal agencies, often providing a range of IT and professional services. Their experience typically includes support for complex systems, data management, and mission-critical operations. For litigation support specifically, CACI has been involved in providing services related to electronic discovery, case file management, and legal process automation. Their established presence suggests familiarity with government procurement processes and performance expectations. A detailed review of past performance evaluations and contract history within FPDS would provide a more granular understanding of their specific successes and challenges in delivering similar services to the DOJ and other entities.

How does the $11.88 million award compare to historical spending on automated litigation support by the DOJ?

The $11.88 million award represents a substantial investment over its five-year duration. To compare this to historical spending, one would need to analyze the DOJ's budget allocations and contract awards for automated litigation support and related services over previous fiscal years. This would involve examining data from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (e.g., 541199) and keywords related to litigation support, e-discovery, and legal technology. Understanding the trend in spending – whether it's increasing, decreasing, or stable – would provide context for the current award's significance and indicate the government's evolving reliance on such services.

What are the primary risks associated with a five-year Time and Materials contract for automated litigation support?

A significant risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, especially over a five-year period, is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Since payment is based on direct labor hours and costs, there's an inherent incentive for contractors to extend timelines or increase resource utilization. For automated litigation support, risks also include technological obsolescence, data security breaches, contractor performance variability, and potential scope creep. Ensuring robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and regular reviews are crucial to mitigate these risks and maintain cost control and service quality throughout the contract's life.

How effective are automated litigation support systems in improving the efficiency and accuracy of legal case processing for the DOJ?

Automated litigation support systems are generally considered highly effective in improving the efficiency and accuracy of legal case processing. They can significantly reduce the time and manual effort required for tasks such as document review, evidence management, and legal research. By leveraging technologies like AI and machine learning, these systems can quickly sift through vast amounts of data, identify relevant information, and flag potential issues, thereby accelerating discovery and trial preparation. This leads to faster case resolution, reduced legal costs, and allows legal professionals to focus on strategic aspects of cases rather than administrative burdens. The effectiveness, however, depends on the quality of the system, proper implementation, user training, and ongoing system maintenance.

What is the typical market rate or benchmark for automated litigation support services comparable to this DOJ contract?

Determining a precise market rate for automated litigation support services comparable to this DOJ contract is complex due to the variability in service scope, technology employed, and specific client needs. However, based on industry reports and general procurement data, large-scale, multi-year contracts for comprehensive litigation support often range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually. Factors influencing cost include the volume of data processed, the complexity of legal matters, the level of automation (e.g., AI-driven review vs. basic document management), and the required security protocols. Benchmarking would ideally involve comparing the contract's estimated annual cost against similar awards to other federal agencies or large corporations procuring comparable services, considering the specific deliverables and service level agreements.

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: $18,338,270

Exercised Options: $12,053,312

Current Obligation: $11,877,976

Actual Outlays: $11,084,588

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000368

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline