DOJ's $44.7M MITRE contract for consulting services awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,690,088 ($44.7M)

Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2014-04-14

End Date: 2020-02-18

Contract Duration: 2,136 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $44.7 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, The MITRE Corporation, for specialized consulting services. 2. The contract duration of 2136 days suggests a long-term need for these services. 3. Awarded under a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure, which can introduce cost-overrun risks. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690 indicates a focus on other scientific and technical consulting. 5. The contract was a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a similar framework. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates no specific provisions were made for small business participation. 7. The contract was awarded to The MITRE Corporation, a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), suggesting a focus on complex, mission-critical tasks.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or performance metrics. The CPFF structure, while common for R&D and complex services, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not managed tightly. Comparing it to similar consulting contracts would require detailed scope analysis, but the FFRDC nature of MITRE suggests a premium for specialized expertise. The total award amount of $44.7 million over approximately six years indicates a significant investment in consulting services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This method is generally preferred for ensuring fair pricing and access to a broad range of capabilities. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a competitive process was undertaken.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the primary beneficiary of these consulting services, likely to enhance its operational capabilities and strategic planning. The services provided fall under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' suggesting support for complex technical challenges or research initiatives. The contract's geographic impact is likely concentrated around the FBI's operational areas, primarily in Virginia, where the awardee is located. The contract may have implications for the federal workforce by potentially augmenting existing capabilities or providing specialized expertise that is not readily available internally.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contracts can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value for money.
The long duration of the contract could indicate a lack of flexibility or a need for ongoing, evolving support.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contractor, MITRE, is a well-established FFRDC with a strong track record in government support.
The contract addresses a significant federal agency's needs, indicating alignment with national priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, often procuring them for complex projects, research, and development. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific nature of the consulting services, but the scale of this award suggests a significant, long-term engagement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses. This means that large businesses, such as The MITRE Corporation, were the primary focus of the competition. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements for small businesses, which could limit their direct involvement in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the FBI. As a contract with The MITRE Corporation, an FFRDC, there may be additional layers of oversight related to FFRDC management and performance. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Consulting Services
Scientific and Technical Services Contracts
Department of Justice Consulting Engagements
FBI Support Services
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) pricing structure may increase cost risk.
Long contract duration requires ongoing relevance assessment.
Lack of specific performance metrics hinders direct value-for-money assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $44.7 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-04-14. End: 2020-02-18.

What specific types of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' were provided under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific services rendered under NAICS code 541690. However, this code encompasses a broad range of consulting services not elsewhere classified, including those related to engineering, environmental, and scientific fields. Given the contractor is The MITRE Corporation, a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), the services likely involved complex problem-solving, strategic analysis, research support, or technical guidance for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on mission-critical initiatives. These could range from cybersecurity strategy and data analytics to operational process improvement or technology assessment.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or involves research and development, where costs can be uncertain. In such cases, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This contrasts with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, where the price is set regardless of actual costs, offering more cost certainty to the government but potentially higher initial bids to account for risk. For complex, evolving technical consulting, CPFF can provide flexibility. However, it shifts cost risk to the government, necessitating robust oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure value. Other types like Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) or Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) introduce performance incentives, which are absent in a pure CPFF.

What is the significance of The MITRE Corporation being a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) in the context of this contract?

The MITRE Corporation operates as a non-profit FFRDC, meaning it is established to meet specific long-term research and development needs of the U.S. government that cannot be effectively met by the private sector alone. FFRDCs are characterized by their objectivity, independence, and deep technical expertise. When a government agency like the FBI contracts with an FFRDC like MITRE, it typically signifies a need for highly specialized, objective analysis, systems engineering, or research on complex, often sensitive, national security or public safety issues. This implies the services procured under this $44.7 million contract were likely strategic, technically demanding, and required a trusted advisor with a unique government-centric perspective, rather than standard commercial consulting.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract awarded through 'full and open competition' to a single entity like MITRE?

While 'full and open competition' is generally a positive indicator of a fair procurement process, awarding a large contract to a single entity, even a specialized one like MITRE, carries potential risks. The primary risk is a lack of ongoing competitive pressure throughout the contract's lifecycle, which could potentially lead to complacency or less aggressive cost management if not actively overseen. Furthermore, if the scope of work evolves significantly, the initial competitive assumptions might become outdated. The government relies heavily on strong contract management, clear performance metrics, and potentially follow-on competitive procurements to mitigate these risks and ensure continued value for money over the contract's duration.

How does the contract duration of 2136 days (approx. 6 years) impact the assessment of its value and relevance?

A contract duration of approximately six years suggests a long-term, strategic need for the services provided by The MITRE Corporation to the FBI. Such extended periods are common for complex, ongoing projects, research initiatives, or foundational support functions where stability and continuity are paramount. From a value perspective, a longer duration can allow for deeper integration and impact, but it also increases the risk of the services becoming outdated or misaligned with evolving agency priorities if not managed adaptively. It necessitates robust oversight to ensure the contract remains relevant and cost-effective throughout its term, potentially requiring modifications or re-competition if significant shifts occur in technology or agency needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

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: $57,303,777

Exercised Options: $44,937,474

Current Obligation: $44,690,088

Actual Outlays: $5,165,393

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJFJFBI12128

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline