DoD's $70.4M EITAAS WAVE 1 contract awarded to CACI NSS, LLC for IT services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $70,437,838 ($70.4M)

Contractor: CACI NSS, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-07-03

End Date: 2025-07-02

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $193.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: EITAAS WAVE 1 - CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT DATABASE

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $70.4 million to CACI NSS, LLC for work described as: EITAAS WAVE 1 - CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT DATABASE Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Special Access Program (SAP) procedures, limiting public visibility. 2. Time and Materials pricing structure may pose cost control challenges. 3. Limited competition due to SAP procedures could impact price discovery. 4. Contract duration of 364 days suggests a focused, short-term requirement. 5. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, indicating a specific defense IT need. 6. The contract value is substantial, reflecting significant IT support requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $70.4 million for a 364-day period is significant. Benchmarking is difficult due to the SAP classification, which restricts access to comparable contract data. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Without more transparency, assessing the true value-for-money is challenging, but the scale suggests a critical need for the services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Special Access Program (SAP) procedures. This classification inherently limits the pool of eligible bidders and the transparency of the competition process. While the data indicates it was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', the exact number of bidders and the specific nature of the competition are not publicly disclosed. Limited competition can sometimes lead to higher prices as the government has fewer options to drive down costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the full price discovery that a broad, open competition would typically provide. The restricted nature of SAP contracting means that competitive pressures might be less intense, potentially resulting in a higher overall cost for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and potentially other entities operating under SAP. The contract delivers essential IT services related to Configuration Management Database (CMDB) for the EITAAS WAVE 1 program. Geographic impact is likely concentrated within the Department of Defense's operational areas, particularly where CACI NSS, LLC has a presence. Workforce implications include the employment of IT professionals by CACI NSS, LLC to fulfill the contract's technical requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost escalation without strict oversight.
Limited competition under SAP may reduce cost-saving opportunities.
The SAP classification hinders public scrutiny of contract performance and value.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical SAP IT services could pose a risk.

Positive Signals

Award to an established contractor (CACI NSS, LLC) suggests a degree of reliability.
The contract addresses a specific, likely critical, IT need within the Air Force.
The BPA Call award mechanism might indicate streamlined procurement for an existing framework.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a critical component of the broader IT industry. The market for defense IT services is substantial, with agencies like the Department of Defense being major consumers. Contracts like this support the modernization and operational efficiency of military systems. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the SAP classification, but the scale of this award indicates a significant investment in specialized IT infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and the contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss is false). This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, CACI NSS, LLC. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, this contract is unlikely to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through prime contracting opportunities, and its impact on subcontracting is unknown without further details.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily internal to the Department of Defense, operating under the strictures of Special Access Program (SAP) regulations. Accountability measures are likely defined within the contract's Statement of Work and managed by the contracting officers. Transparency is inherently limited due to the SAP classification, restricting public access to detailed performance metrics or financial breakdowns. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply, but investigations would also be subject to SAP protocols.

Related Government Programs

EITAAS (Enterprise Information Technology Access Assurance Service)
Configuration Management Database (CMDB) Services
Department of Defense IT Modernization Programs
Special Access Program (SAP) IT Support Contracts
CACI NSS, LLC IT Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Time and Materials Pricing
Special Access Program (SAP) Classification
Lack of Publicly Available Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $70.4 million to CACI NSS, LLC. EITAAS WAVE 1 - CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT DATABASE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI NSS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $70.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-03. End: 2025-07-02.

What is the specific nature of the EITAAS WAVE 1 program and its CMDB requirements?

The EITAAS WAVE 1 program, within the Department of the Air Force, likely focuses on establishing or enhancing enterprise-wide IT access assurance services. The Configuration Management Database (CMDB) component is crucial for tracking and managing IT assets, their relationships, and their configurations throughout their lifecycle. A robust CMDB is essential for IT service management, security, change management, and overall operational efficiency. For a program operating under Special Access Program (SAP) rules, the CMDB would likely manage highly sensitive information and systems, requiring stringent security protocols and access controls beyond standard government IT contracts. The specific details of the EITAAS WAVE 1 CMDB requirements are classified due to the SAP nature of the contract.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar IT services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change frequently, allowing flexibility. However, they carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used. For IT services like configuration management, fixed-price or cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts might offer better cost predictability if the scope is well-defined. The T&M structure here, especially under SAP, suggests a need for agility and potentially evolving requirements where precise definition upfront was not feasible or desirable. This pricing model necessitates robust government oversight to manage labor rates and hours effectively and prevent scope creep from inflating costs beyond the initial $70.4 million estimate.

What are the implications of competing under Special Access Program (SAP) procedures for this contract?

Competing under Special Access Program (SAP) procedures significantly limits the pool of eligible contractors and restricts public visibility into the procurement process. SAP is designed for highly sensitive national security programs, meaning only cleared contractors with specific needs-to-know and appropriate security clearances can participate. This restricted competition can reduce the number of bids received, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing than in an open competition. Furthermore, the details of the solicitation, evaluation criteria, and award decision are typically classified, making it difficult for external parties, including oversight bodies and the public, to assess the fairness and effectiveness of the competition. The government must still demonstrate that the competition was adequate for the specific requirements and security constraints.

What is CACI NSS, LLC's track record with similar large-scale IT service contracts, particularly within DoD or SAP environments?

CACI NSS, LLC, as a subsidiary of CACI International Inc., has a substantial track record of providing IT services to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. CACI has consistently been awarded large contracts for systems integration, cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and intelligence support. While specific details of their work within SAP environments are often classified and not publicly disclosed, their overall experience suggests they possess the necessary security clearances, infrastructure, and expertise to handle sensitive programs. Their history includes managing complex IT projects, demonstrating capability in areas relevant to configuration management and IT assurance. Performance on past contracts, though not always publicly detailed for SAP work, generally indicates a capacity to meet demanding requirements.

How does the $70.4 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar IT services by the Air Force or DoD?

The $70.4 million contract value for a 364-day period is substantial for specialized IT services, particularly those operating under SAP. Historical spending on IT services by the Air Force and DoD runs into billions of dollars annually across various categories. While direct comparisons are difficult due to the SAP classification limiting data availability, this award represents a significant investment in a specific capability. Larger IT modernization efforts or enterprise-wide system deployments can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. This contract likely represents a key component within a larger classified initiative, and its value should be assessed within that broader context rather than in isolation against unclassified IT spending benchmarks.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a significant IT contract under SAP procedures?

The primary risks associated with awarding a significant IT contract under SAP procedures include reduced transparency, potentially limited competition, and challenges in oversight. Reduced transparency makes it difficult to verify cost-effectiveness and ensure accountability. Limited competition can lead to higher prices and may not always result in selecting the absolute best value solution available in the broader market. Oversight can be more complex, requiring specialized personnel and adherence to stringent security protocols, which can strain government resources. Furthermore, reliance on a limited number of cleared contractors for critical SAP IT functions can create vendor lock-in and pose risks if the contractor underperforms or faces financial instability. Ensuring robust performance and fair pricing requires meticulous internal government management and stringent adherence to security and procurement regulations.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc

Address: 14370 NEWBROOK DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $86,083,826

Exercised Options: $71,341,394

Current Obligation: $70,437,838

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA872622A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline