DOJ's $21M litigation support contract awarded to CACI, LLC, with 5 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,997,494 ($21.0M)

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: $11.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

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 $21.0 million to CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL for work described as: MEGA5 AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive nature of the award. 2. Strong competition was present, with 5 bids indicating a healthy market. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with contract duration and type needing monitoring. 4. Performance context is within legal services, a critical function for the DOJ. 5. Sector positioning is in professional services, supporting government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $21 million over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar litigation support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the presence of multiple bidders implies that pricing was likely competitive. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure requires careful oversight to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns, but it also allows for flexibility in addressing evolving legal needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with five bids received. This level of competition is a positive sign, suggesting that multiple capable vendors were interested and able to bid. A robust competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The agency's ability to attract five bids indicates a well-defined requirement and a market with sufficient capacity.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition indicates that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as vendors vied to offer the best value. This competitive environment helps to drive down costs and improve the quality of services received by the government.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from enhanced legal support services, enabling more effective case management and prosecution. Citizens and businesses interacting with the DOJ will experience more efficient legal processes. The contract supports legal professionals and administrative staff within the DOJ. The primary geographic impact is within the United States, supporting federal legal operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Contract duration of five years may not fully account for evolving litigation needs.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical litigation support could pose a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a competitive marketplace.
Multiple bidders (5) indicate strong vendor interest and capability.
Contract supports essential government functions, aligning with agency mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically legal services. The market for litigation support is substantial, encompassing a wide range of services from document review to expert testimony. Government spending in this area is consistent, as legal support is fundamental to agency operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other large federal agencies requiring extensive legal counsel, such as the Department of Defense or Treasury.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without specific subcontracting goals or reporting, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Justice. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services Contracts
Professional Services Contracts
Department of Justice Operations Support
Litigation Support Services
Federal Legal Aid Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing structure.
Need for vigilant contract management to ensure efficiency.
Risk of scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and monitored.
Contract duration may require adjustments to remain aligned with evolving needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $21.0 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 $21.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

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

CACI, LLC has a significant history of performing federal contracts, including those related to IT, intelligence, and professional services. While specific details on their litigation support performance under this particular contract are not provided in the summary data, their extensive experience as a large government contractor suggests a capacity to manage complex service delivery. Past performance reviews and contract close-out reports for similar contracts would offer deeper insights into their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to timelines. Agencies often rely on past performance information when making future award decisions, making CACI's broader federal contracting history a relevant indicator.

How does the $21 million contract value compare to similar litigation support contracts awarded by the DOJ or other agencies?

The $21 million contract value over five years equates to an average annual spend of approximately $4.2 million. This figure is moderate for large-scale federal litigation support. Contracts for similar services can range from a few million dollars for specialized support to hundreds of millions for comprehensive, agency-wide solutions. The Department of Justice, in particular, frequently awards contracts for legal services due to its extensive litigation activities. Benchmarking requires detailed comparison of scope, duration, and specific services rendered. However, the number of bidders suggests this contract was sufficiently attractive to warrant market interest, implying a competitive and potentially fair price point relative to market norms for its defined scope.

What are the primary risks associated with a five-year Time and Materials (T&M) contract for litigation support?

The primary risks with a five-year T&M contract for litigation support revolve around cost control and scope creep. T&M contracts pay for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the cost of materials. Without stringent oversight, this structure can incentivize longer task durations and increased material usage, leading to costs exceeding initial estimates. For litigation support, which can be unpredictable, T&M offers flexibility but demands robust monitoring by the government to ensure efficiency and prevent overspending. Additionally, a five-year duration means the contract must remain relevant to potentially evolving legal needs and technological advancements in legal tech over its lifespan.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money for federal litigation support services?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal procurement, including for litigation support. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, the government maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. The receipt of five bids for this DOJ contract indicates a healthy competitive environment. This competition pressures vendors to offer their best pricing and service levels to win the award. While effective, value for money also depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the government's ability to effectively manage the resulting contract.

What is the historical spending trend for litigation support services within the Department of Justice?

Historical spending on litigation support services within the Department of Justice has been substantial and consistent, reflecting the agency's role as the primary litigator for the federal government. While specific year-over-year data for this particular contract isn't provided, the DOJ consistently procures a wide array of legal and support services. Trends often show an increasing reliance on technology-enabled solutions, such as e-discovery and data analytics, which can influence contract types and values. Spending patterns are influenced by legislative priorities, caseload volume, and the complexity of legal challenges faced by the government. Analyzing aggregate DOJ spending on professional and legal services over several years would reveal broader trends.

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: 5

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: $27,145,025

Exercised Options: $22,532,431

Current Obligation: $20,997,494

Actual Outlays: $19,213,256

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000368

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline