DOJ's $14.5M litigation support contract for FEMA trailers awarded to CACI, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,497,000 ($14.5M)

Contractor: CACI, LLC - Commercial

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2009-01-26

End Date: 2013-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,586 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FEMA TRAILERS (DHS) DJ # 157-0-277

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $14.5 million to CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL for work described as: AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FEMA TRAILERS (DHS) DJ # 157-0-277 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a competitive delivery order, suggesting a degree of market vetting. 2. The contract's duration of over 4 years indicates a sustained need for these services. 3. Services provided under NAICS code 541199 (All Other Legal Services) are critical for administrative functions. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 5. The award was made to CACI, LLC, a known entity in government contracting. 6. The contract value of $14.5M falls within a moderate spending range for specialized legal support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $14.5 million for automated litigation support over approximately four years appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. However, without specific benchmarks for 'automated litigation support' in the context of disaster relief, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the work performed and do not escalate beyond expectations. Comparing this to similar contracts for legal support services would provide a clearer picture of its cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had an opportunity to bid. The specific details of the competition, such as the number of bids received and the evaluation process, are not fully detailed in the provided data. However, the 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' designation suggests a structured procurement process aimed at achieving fair market prices through competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and encouraging vendors to offer competitive pricing to secure the contract.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice (DOJ) benefits by receiving essential litigation support services. FEMA trailer litigation support is crucial for resolving legal disputes related to disaster relief efforts. The services likely impact the efficiency of legal proceedings and the resolution of claims. The contract supports legal professionals and administrative staff involved in these specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and efficiency of services.
The duration of the contract (over 4 years) requires ongoing vigilance to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for cost savings.
Contract awarded to a known entity (CACI, LLC) with established government contracting experience.
The contract addresses a critical need for litigation support in disaster relief operations.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector within government contracting is diverse, encompassing a wide range of support functions. This contract falls under 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199), which is a broad category. The market for litigation support services, particularly those automated or technology-enabled, is growing as agencies seek efficiency. Benchmarking this contract's value would ideally involve comparing it to other contracts for similar specialized legal support, factoring in the specific demands of disaster-related litigation.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) was false and there was no small business set-aside (ss). This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and larger, established firms like CACI, LLC were likely the primary bidders. There is no information on subcontracting plans, so the impact on the small business ecosystem is not directly ascertainable from this data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's procurement and legal divisions. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, the initial award process would have undergone review. The Time and Materials nature of the contract necessitates robust monitoring of hours and costs by the contracting officer's representative (COR) to ensure accountability and prevent overspending. Transparency would be facilitated through standard government contract reporting mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Relief Programs
Department of Justice Legal Services Contracts
Automated Legal Support Services
Disaster Recovery and Management Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Cost Overruns
Limited Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $14.5 million to CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL. AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FEMA TRAILERS (DHS) DJ # 157-0-277

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 $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-01-26. End: 2013-05-31.

What is the track record of CACI, LLC in providing litigation support services to the federal government?

CACI, LLC is a well-established government contractor with a significant presence across various federal agencies. They have a history of providing a wide array of IT and professional services, which often include support functions for legal and administrative operations. While specific details on their performance for this particular DOJ contract are not provided, CACI generally has experience in delivering complex solutions. Their track record includes numerous contracts for IT modernization, cybersecurity, and mission support. For litigation support, their capabilities would likely involve document management, e-discovery, case management software, and potentially data analysis, leveraging their broader IT expertise. Evaluating their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction and adherence to deadlines and budgets, would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the $14.5 million contract value compare to similar litigation support contracts for disaster relief efforts?

Comparing the $14.5 million contract value for automated litigation support for FEMA trailers requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific services rendered. Litigation support for disaster relief can be highly variable due to the unpredictable nature and scale of disasters. Contracts for such services can range from a few hundred thousand dollars for localized, short-term needs to tens of millions for large-scale, multi-year efforts. Given this contract's duration of over four years and its focus on supporting FEMA trailer-related litigation, the $14.5 million figure appears to be within a moderate range. However, without detailed breakdowns of billable hours, specific tasks performed, and the number of cases supported, a precise benchmark against other disaster relief litigation support contracts is difficult. Factors like the complexity of legal issues, the volume of documentation, and the required technological sophistication would influence the overall cost.

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

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for litigation support is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. If not managed diligently, this structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work, as the contractor's profit is directly tied to the amount of time and resources expended. For litigation support, this could manifest as extended document review periods or prolonged research efforts. To mitigate these risks, government agencies must implement stringent oversight, including detailed tracking of hours, regular progress reviews, and clear task definitions. Establishing labor hour ceilings or 'not-to-exceed' clauses can also help control costs. The effectiveness of the contractor's internal controls and the government's ability to monitor performance are critical to ensuring value under a T&M arrangement.

How effective is the competitive delivery order process in ensuring fair pricing for specialized legal services?

The competitive delivery order process is generally effective in ensuring fair pricing for specialized legal services, provided it is executed properly. By allowing multiple qualified vendors to bid on specific requirements under an existing contract vehicle (like a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract), it introduces competition. This competition encourages vendors to offer their best pricing and terms to win the order. The effectiveness is amplified when the government clearly defines the scope of work, evaluation criteria, and requires detailed proposals. However, the degree of competition can vary. If only a few vendors are capable of providing the specialized service, or if the requirements are vaguely defined, the competitive advantage might be diminished. For this specific contract, the 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' designation suggests that the Department of Justice sought multiple bids, which should have contributed to price discovery and a reasonable outcome for taxpayers.

What are the historical spending patterns for automated litigation support services by the Department of Justice?

Historical spending patterns for automated litigation support services by the Department of Justice (DOJ) reflect a growing reliance on technology to manage complex legal caseloads. While specific aggregate data for 'automated litigation support' alone can be challenging to isolate due to varied categorization, the DOJ consistently invests significant resources in legal services, including those that leverage technology for efficiency. Spending in this area has likely increased over the years as e-discovery tools, AI-powered analytics, and case management software have become more sophisticated and essential for managing large volumes of documents and evidence. The DOJ's budget allocates substantial funds to its various litigating divisions, and a portion of this is directed towards support services that enhance legal operations. Analyzing past DOJ contracts for e-discovery, legal research platforms, and document management systems would provide a clearer picture of the trend and scale of investment in automated litigation support.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SVCS. › TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc (UEI: 045534641)

Address: 1100 N GLEBE RD, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,497,000

Exercised Options: $14,497,000

Current Obligation: $14,497,000

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ07C1521

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline