DOJ's $27.1M Contract for NAMUS Program Support Awarded to RTI Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,133,885 ($27.1M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2021-04-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,008 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: NAMUS PROGRAM SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $27.1 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: NAMUS PROGRAM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $27.1 million for program support services. 2. Awarded to Research Triangle Institute (RTI) via full and open competition. 3. Potential risks include time and materials pricing and contract duration. 4. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a delivery order with a time and materials pricing structure, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the time and materials (T&M) pricing model may not incentivize cost efficiency as effectively as fixed-price contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for administrative management consulting services. The T&M structure necessitates vigilant oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with program needs.
Public Impact
Supports the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS), a critical resource for law enforcement and families. Contract duration extends to September 2026, indicating ongoing need for these services. The award to RTI, a well-established research institute, suggests a focus on expertise and reliability.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing
- Long contract duration (5 years)
- Potential for scope creep
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Award to established contractor
- Supports a vital national system
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. Spending benchmarks for this category vary widely based on the specific services and agency, but $27.1M over five years for a national system support role appears within a reasonable range.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). There is no specific information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses on this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and T&M pricing structure warrant close oversight from the Department of Justice to ensure performance meets expectations and costs are controlled. Regular reviews of deliverables and expenditures are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Office of Justice Programs Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing model
- Long contract duration
- Lack of small business participation noted
- Potential for scope creep without strict management
- Limited detail on specific services provided
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-justice, nc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $27.1 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. NAMUS PROGRAM SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Office of Justice Programs).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $27.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific management and administrative consulting services are provided under this contract to justify the $27.1M value?
The contract supports the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS). Specific services likely include program management, data analysis, system maintenance, user support, and potentially policy development related to missing persons and unidentified remains. The value reflects the ongoing operational needs and complexity of managing such a critical national database and associated services over a five-year period.
How does the time and materials pricing structure mitigate risks associated with potential cost overruns for this long-term contract?
The time and materials (T&M) pricing structure inherently carries a risk of cost overruns, especially for a five-year contract. Mitigation relies heavily on robust government oversight, including detailed monitoring of labor hours, rates, and material costs. Clear task definitions, performance metrics, and regular reviews are essential to ensure the contractor remains focused on efficient service delivery and avoids unnecessary expenditures.
What is the expected impact on the effectiveness of the NAMUS program given the contract's structure and duration?
The extended duration (2021-2026) suggests a commitment to sustained support for NAMUS, which is crucial for its long-term effectiveness. Full and open competition should ensure a capable contractor is selected. However, the T&M pricing requires diligent management to prevent cost issues from negatively impacting service delivery or program expansion.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, DURHAM, NC, 27709
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $37,585,704
Exercised Options: $37,585,704
Current Obligation: $27,133,885
Actual Outlays: $21,614,906
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 39
Total Subaward Amount: $5,453,764
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F354CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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