DOJ's $33.6M Litigation Support Contract Awarded to CACI, LLC Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,670,328 ($33.7M)

Contractor: CACI, LLC - Commercial

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2013-09-26

End Date: 2021-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,804 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF THIS CONTRACT WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LITIGATION SUPPORT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES ON AN INDEFINITE DELIVERY, INDEFINITE QUANTITY TASK ORDER BASIS. INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THIS CONTRACT MAY SUPPORT ANY IGF::CT::IGF DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ORGANIZATION OR FEDERAL AGENCY ON A LOCAL AND/OR NATIONWIDE BASIS. SERVICES MAY BE REQUIRED ANYWHERE IN OR OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES. THIS CONTRACT WILL ALSO BE USED TO SUPPORT CASE- OR INVESTIGATION-RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $33.7 million to CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF THIS CONTRACT WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LITIGATION SUPPORT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES ON AN INDEFINITE DELIVERY, INDEFINITE QUANTITY TASK ORDER BASIS. INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THIS CONTRACT MAY… Key points: 1. Contract provides broad litigation support services to the Department of Justice and other federal agencies. 2. Services can be required anywhere in or outside the United States, indicating significant geographic flexibility. 3. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) structure allows for flexible task order issuance. 4. Awarded to a single contractor, CACI, LLC, suggesting a focus on specialized capabilities. 5. The contract duration spans over 7 years, from September 2013 to May 2021. 6. Services include support for case- or investigation-related administrative functions. 7. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed carefully.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $33.6 million over nearly 8 years averages to approximately $4.2 million annually. Without specific task order details or comparable contract benchmarks, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not closely monitored for efficiency and necessity of hours billed. Benchmarking against similar broad litigation support contracts would be necessary for a more precise evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this approach generally fosters a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The use of full and open competition suggests that the government sought the best value from a wide range of potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider pool of contractors to bid, potentially driving down prices and improving service quality through market forces.

Public Impact

Federal agencies, primarily the Department of Justice, benefit from access to professional litigation support services. Services support a wide range of legal activities, including case preparation and administrative functions. The contract has nationwide and potentially international reach, supporting federal legal operations wherever needed. The contract supports the federal workforce by providing essential external expertise for legal proceedings.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure if not rigorously managed.
Lack of specific details on the number of bidders or the competitive range makes it hard to fully assess price competitiveness.
The broad scope of services and geographic flexibility could lead to complex oversight requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The IDIQ structure provides flexibility to meet evolving agency needs.
Contractor CACI, LLC is a well-established provider of government services, implying experience and capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically legal services and litigation support. The market for such services is substantial, with numerous firms competing to provide expertise to government agencies. This contract represents a portion of the federal government's overall spending on legal and administrative support, enabling efficient operation of the justice system. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other IDIQ contracts for similar professional services awarded to large prime contractors.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded to a prime contractor (CACI, LLC), it is likely that subcontracting opportunities may exist for small businesses. However, without specific subcontracting plans or goals detailed in the award data, the extent of small business participation remains unclear. The focus on a single large prime contractor may limit direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are part of CACI's subcontracting network.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Justice and any other utilizing federal agencies. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract necessitates close monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs to ensure compliance and prevent overspending. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potentially through contract performance reviews. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Litigation Support Services
Federal Legal Services Contracts
Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts
Professional Services Contracts
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
Scope creep risk
Contractor performance variability
Oversight challenges with broad service scope

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $33.7 million to CACI, LLC - COMMERCIAL. IGF::CT::IGF THIS CONTRACT WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LITIGATION SUPPORT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES ON AN INDEFINITE DELIVERY, INDEFINITE QUANTITY TASK ORDER BASIS. INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THIS CONTRACT MAY SUPPORT ANY IGF::CT::IGF DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ORGANIZATION OR FEDERAL AGENCY ON A LOCAL AND/OR NATIONWIDE BASIS. SERVICES MAY BE REQUIRED ANYWHERE IN OR OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES. THIS CONTRACT

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 $33.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-26. End: 2021-05-31.

What is CACI, LLC's track record with federal litigation support contracts?

CACI, LLC is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of providing IT, engineering, and professional services to federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice. Their experience in litigation support is extensive, often involving complex case management, e-discovery, and administrative functions. While this specific contract highlights a $33.6 million award over nearly eight years, CACI holds numerous other contracts across various agencies that encompass similar service areas. Their performance history is generally characterized by a broad range of capabilities and a large contract portfolio. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced past performance reviews or challenges on specific task orders or contracts, which are not detailed in the provided summary data. A deeper dive into CACI's contract database and performance evaluations would be needed for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the $33.6 million value compare to similar federal litigation support contracts?

The $33.6 million total contract value awarded to CACI, LLC for litigation support services over a period of approximately 7.75 years (September 2013 - May 2021) averages to about $4.3 million per year. This figure is moderate within the broader landscape of federal professional services contracts. Large-scale litigation support, especially for agencies like the Department of Justice, can involve contracts ranging from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity of the legal matters supported. For instance, major e-discovery or large-scale document review projects can significantly drive up costs. Without knowing the specific types of task orders issued under this IDIQ and comparing them to similar specialized contracts, it's challenging to definitively benchmark its value. However, the award appears to be a substantial, long-term commitment for ongoing support rather than a single, massive project.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, particularly given its Time and Materials (T&M) structure?

The primary risk associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns. T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used, which can lead to unpredictable costs if not managed diligently. Key risks include: 1) Inefficient performance by contractor personnel, leading to more hours being billed than necessary. 2) Scope creep, where tasks expand beyond the original intent without adequate adjustments to the ceiling price. 3) Difficulty in accurately forecasting the total cost, making budget management challenging for the government. 4) Potential for inflated material costs if not properly scrutinized. To mitigate these risks, robust oversight, detailed task order definitions, clear performance metrics, and regular reviews of billed hours and costs are essential. The government must actively manage the contractor's effort to ensure value is received for the hours expended.

How effective is the full and open competition approach for securing litigation support services?

The full and open competition approach is generally considered effective for securing a wide range of services, including litigation support, as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors and encourages competitive pricing. This method allows the government to solicit proposals from all interested and qualified sources, theoretically leading to the best value. For litigation support, where expertise and specific capabilities can vary significantly, this broad approach can help identify specialized firms or large, established companies with proven track records. The effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the solicitation requirements, the evaluation criteria used, and the government's ability to assess complex technical proposals and pricing structures. While it promotes competition, the administrative effort required for full and open competition can be substantial.

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

Historical spending patterns for litigation support services within the Department of Justice (DOJ) are substantial and have generally trended upwards over the years, driven by the increasing volume and complexity of legal cases, the advent of electronic discovery (e-discovery), and evolving legal technologies. The DOJ, as the primary law enforcement agency and legal counsel for the federal government, relies heavily on external support for managing caseloads, conducting investigations, and preparing for trials. Spending encompasses a wide array of services, including document review, forensic analysis, expert witness services, trial support, and administrative case management. Contracts like the one awarded to CACI, LLC are part of a larger strategy to procure these services efficiently through IDIQ vehicles, allowing for flexibility across various divisions and needs. While specific historical figures for this exact contract are available, understanding the DOJ's overall litigation support budget and spending trends across multiple contracts would provide a broader context.

What is the significance of the contract being an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task order contract?

The significance of this contract being an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task order contract lies in its flexibility and adaptability to meet fluctuating and evolving agency needs. An IDIQ contract establishes a period during which the government can issue task orders for specific services up to a stated maximum dollar amount. This structure is highly beneficial for services like litigation support, where the demand can vary significantly based on the number and complexity of ongoing cases. It allows the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to procure necessary services on an as-needed basis without having to conduct a full procurement for each individual requirement. This streamlines the acquisition process, reduces lead times, and ensures that support is available when critical legal matters arise. The flexibility, however, requires careful management to ensure that the total spending remains within budgeted limits and that task orders are well-defined.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc (UEI: 045534641)

Address: 1100 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,670,328

Exercised Options: $33,670,328

Current Obligation: $33,670,328

Actual Outlays: $6,052,411

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ13C2439

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline