DOJ's $21.4M contract for computer systems design services awarded to CACI-ISS, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,422,253 ($21.4M)

Contractor: Caci-Iss, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2005-06-14

End Date: 2010-06-13

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TAS::15 1100::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $21.4 million to CACI-ISS, LLC for work described as: TAS::15 1100::TAS Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 5-year duration and the nature of IT services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competitive delivery order, suggesting potential for price negotiation. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, typical for IT service contracts of this size and duration. 4. Performance context is within the scope of standard IT support and design services. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader IT services market for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $21.4 million over five years averages to approximately $4.28 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar IT systems design contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the pricing structure (Time and Materials) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. The contract's duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for these services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This was awarded as a competitive delivery order, implying that multiple vendors likely bid on the requirement. The fact that it was competed suggests that the agency sought to leverage market competition to obtain favorable pricing and terms. The number of bidders is not specified, but a competitive award generally leads to better price discovery than a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Taxpayer Impact: Competitive awards generally benefit taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces, ensuring the government receives better value for its spending.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), receiving essential IT support. Services delivered include computer systems design, integration, and potentially maintenance, crucial for operational efficiency. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the DEA, likely nationwide. Workforce implications include support for IT professionals within CACI-ISS, LLC and potentially internal DOJ/DEA IT staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost escalation with Time and Materials contracts if not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT systems design services.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond initial projections without strict management.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process likely secured a reasonable price.
Long-term contract provides stability for essential IT services.
Contractor has a track record with the government, suggesting familiarity with federal requirements.

Sector Analysis

The federal IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with agencies like the DOJ relying heavily on contractors for specialized expertise. This contract falls under the Computer Systems Design Services NAICS code (541512), a common category for IT support. Spending in this sector is consistently high across government, reflecting the increasing digitization of federal operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific scope of services, but the $21.4M over five years is a moderate-sized contract within this domain.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, CACI-ISS, LLC, is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this contract are limited unless they are part of CACI-ISS's subcontracting team.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the DEA/DOJ. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Computer Systems Design
Department of Justice IT Contracts
DEA Technology Support
Federal IT Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Need for strong government oversight to manage contractor performance and costs.
Dependence on contractor for critical IT systems design services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $21.4 million to CACI-ISS, LLC. TAS::15 1100::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI-ISS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-14. End: 2010-06-13.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar computer systems design services at the DEA?

Analyzing historical spending for similar services at the DEA requires accessing detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Generally, agencies like the DEA have consistent needs for IT systems design and support due to evolving threats and technological advancements. Spending can fluctuate based on specific modernization initiatives, new system deployments, or changes in operational requirements. Without specific historical data points for this contract's predecessors or comparable contracts, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, it's common for agencies to allocate significant portions of their budget to IT services to maintain and upgrade their infrastructure, suggesting a sustained level of investment in this area.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar IT services?

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure of this contract makes direct comparison to market rates complex. T&M contracts bill for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. To assess value, one would need to benchmark the hourly rates for different labor categories (e.g., senior systems analyst, junior programmer) against industry surveys and other government contracts. Additionally, the 'other direct costs' component for materials and indirect expenses needs evaluation. Given that this was a competitive award, it suggests the rates were deemed acceptable within the competitive landscape at the time of award. However, ongoing monitoring of labor rates and material costs is crucial to ensure continued cost-effectiveness.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate CACI-ISS, LLC's performance?

While the provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract, standard practice for IT systems design services typically includes metrics related to system uptime, response times for support requests, successful implementation of new features or systems, adherence to project timelines, and user satisfaction. For a Time and Materials contract, KPIs often focus on the efficient use of labor hours and the timely delivery of agreed-upon tasks and milestones. The contract's performance work statement (PWS) would detail these specific metrics, and the government's quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) would outline how performance is monitored and measured.

What is the track record of CACI-ISS, LLC in delivering similar IT services to federal agencies?

CACI-ISS, LLC, as part of the larger CACI International Inc., has a substantial track record of delivering IT and professional services to various federal agencies, including defense, intelligence, and civilian sectors. Their portfolio often includes systems integration, software development, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure support. Reviews of past performance on similar contracts would typically be part of the source selection process for new awards. Agencies often consider past performance evaluations, past performance questionnaires, and debriefings from previous contracts when assessing a contractor's reliability and capability. CACI's established presence suggests they possess the experience and resources necessary for contracts of this nature.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this service?

The primary risk associated with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the final price is not fixed upfront. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements do not provide the contractor with a strong incentive to control costs efficiently, as they are reimbursed for labor hours and material expenses. This necessitates robust government oversight to monitor labor hours, ensure fair and reasonable rates, and prevent scope creep. Without diligent management, T&M contracts can become more expensive than initially anticipated. For IT services, this risk is managed through detailed statements of work, regular progress reviews, and strict controls on billable hours and resource allocation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc (UEI: 045534641)

Address: 14370 NEWBROOK DRIVE, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,422,253

Exercised Options: $21,422,253

Current Obligation: $21,422,253

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS09K99BHD0006

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline