DOJ awards $4.3M for investigative analyst support, raising questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,309,916 ($4.3M)

Contractor: Agile Decision Sciences, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2022-09-01

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: INVESTIGATIVE ANALYST SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $4.3 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: INVESTIGATIVE ANALYST SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price discovery and potentially increasing costs. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 3. Limited competition suggests a lack of market engagement, potentially missing out on better value. 4. The duration of 1095 days (3 years) indicates a significant, ongoing need for these services. 5. The specific services provided under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' require further clarity to assess performance. 6. The contractor, AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC, has secured this award without a competitive process.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the lack of competitive data. The Time and Materials pricing structure, without a defined ceiling or fixed price components, makes it difficult to assess if the government is receiving optimal value for its investment. Without comparison to similar sole-source awards or market rates for comparable services, it's hard to definitively state if the $4.3 million expenditure is cost-effective. Further analysis of the labor categories and rates billed would be necessary to provide a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The Department of Justice did not solicit bids from multiple vendors, which significantly limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government. The absence of a competitive bidding process means that the government did not benefit from the innovation and cost-saving proposals that typically arise from a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium for these services due to the lack of competition. Without a competitive process, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the most cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized investigative analyst support services. These services are crucial for the functioning of the Offices, Boards and Divisions within the DOJ. The contract supports the agency's mission by providing essential analytical capabilities. The geographic impact is primarily within the agency's operational locations, likely nationwide. The contract supports a workforce of analysts, contributing to federal employment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Time and Materials contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
Lack of transparency in the specific deliverables makes performance assessment difficult.
Limited public information on contractor's prior performance in similar sole-source engagements.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a specific need for investigative analyst support.
The contract has a defined period of performance, allowing for periodic review.
The agency has identified a need and sought a solution, indicating proactive management.

Sector Analysis

The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990) is broad and encompasses a wide range of specialized support functions. This contract falls within the professional services sector, which is a significant area of federal spending. Benchmarking is difficult without knowing the precise nature of the 'investigative analyst support,' but the overall federal spending on professional and technical services is in the hundreds of billions annually. This contract represents a small fraction of that total but highlights the reliance on external expertise for specialized government functions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor is there an indication of significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The sole-source nature of the award further reduces the likelihood of small business participation. This contract does not appear to actively contribute to the small business ecosystem or provide direct benefits to small enterprises.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the broad description of services. There is no specific mention of Inspector General jurisdiction for this particular award, though the DOJ IG generally oversees agency operations.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Investigative Services
Federal Law Enforcement Support Contracts
Professional and Technical Services Contracts
Sole-Source Contract Awards

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials contract type
Lack of specific service definition
Limited public performance data for contractor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $4.3 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC. INVESTIGATIVE ANALYST SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-01. End: 2025-08-31.

What specific investigative analyst tasks are being performed under this contract?

The contract description 'INVESTIGATIVE ANALYST SUPPORT SERVICES' and NAICS code '541990' (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) are very broad. Without access to the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or detailed task orders, it is impossible to ascertain the specific duties. These could range from data analysis, intelligence gathering, case support, forensic analysis, to background investigations. The lack of specificity in publicly available data makes it difficult to assess the true scope and necessity of the services being procured and to benchmark them against industry standards or other government contracts.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required supply or service. Common reasons include unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific research and development requirements. For this DOJ contract, the specific justification is not publicly detailed. However, sole-source awards are subject to strict federal acquisition regulations and require documented justification to ensure fair and reasonable pricing and to prevent abuse. Without this documentation, it's difficult to validate the necessity of bypassing the competitive process.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type impact cost control for these services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are used when the government cannot accurately estimate the extent or duration of the work. In a T&M contract, the contractor is reimbursed for the actual labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual costs of materials. While flexible, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns if not closely monitored. Effective cost control relies heavily on robust government oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, verification of material costs, and adherence to any established ceiling prices. Without strong oversight, T&M contracts can become more expensive than fixed-price alternatives.

What is the track record of AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC in performing similar government contracts, especially sole-source awards?

Information regarding AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC's track record, particularly for sole-source awards of this nature, is not readily available in the public domain. Federal procurement data often lacks granular detail on contractor performance for specific contract types or award methods. To assess their capabilities and reliability, one would need to examine past performance reviews, any debriefings from previous solicitations, or internal agency assessments. The absence of easily accessible performance data for this specific contractor in similar sole-source engagements makes it challenging to evaluate their suitability and past success.

Are there comparable contracts for investigative analyst support services that can be used for benchmarking?

Benchmarking this contract is difficult due to its sole-source nature and the broad categorization of services. Comparable contracts would ideally be for similar investigative analyst support, awarded competitively, and with clearly defined deliverables. Without access to the specific SOW for this DOJ contract, it's hard to find direct matches. However, one could look at other federal contracts for 'investigative services,' 'analytical support,' or 'professional services' within law enforcement or intelligence agencies, paying close attention to the contract type, duration, and total value, while acknowledging that sole-source awards inherently lack competitive pricing benchmarks.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category for federal agencies?

The primary risk associated with the broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) category is a lack of specificity, which can lead to several issues. It can obscure the true nature of the services being procured, making it difficult for agencies to accurately define requirements, measure performance, and ensure value for money. This ambiguity can also be exploited, potentially leading to scope creep or the provision of services that do not fully align with the agency's needs. Furthermore, the broadness can hinder effective market research and competition, as potential offerors may not understand the precise requirements or may be deterred by the lack of clarity.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation

Address: 350 VOYAGER WAY STE 100B, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,224,325

Exercised Options: $8,023,333

Current Obligation: $4,309,916

Actual Outlays: $4,912,734

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $2,400,046

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline