DoD's $23.4M Legal Litigation Support Services contract awarded to HII Mission Driven Innovative Government Solutions Inc. shows long duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,366,563 ($23.4M)

Contractor: HII Mission Driven Innovative Government Solutions Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-09-26

End Date: 2016-08-24

Contract Duration: 3,620 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEGAL LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20374

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.4 million to HII MISSION DRIVEN INNOVATIVE GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC. for work described as: LEGAL LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract duration of 10 years (3620 days) suggests a long-term need for these services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 4. The primary service is Legal Litigation Support, a critical function for government agencies. 5. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Navy, a major component of the DoD. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541219 points to 'Other Accounting Services', which may be a broad categorization for the legal support provided.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered and the complexity of the litigation supported. The total award amount of $23.4 million over nearly 10 years averages to approximately $2.34 million per year. This figure needs to be compared against the typical costs for similar legal support services within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies to determine if it represents good value. The Time and Materials contract type, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, potentially impacting the overall value proposition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it was competed broadly is a positive sign for price discovery and potentially achieving a competitive price. However, the number of bids received is not specified, which would provide further insight into the actual level of competition. A robust competition typically leads to better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation from a wider pool of contractors.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from essential legal litigation support services, enabling its operations and compliance. The services provided are crucial for managing legal disputes and ensuring the government's interests are protected. The contract's duration implies a sustained need for these specialized legal services within the DoD. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around naval bases and administrative centers where legal support is required.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The broad NAICS code 'Other Accounting Services' may obscure the specific nature and cost drivers of the legal support provided.
The long contract duration could indicate a lack of flexibility to adapt to changing legal needs or market conditions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
The contract supports critical legal litigation functions for a major federal agency (Department of the Navy).
The contractor, HII Mission Driven Innovative Government Solutions Inc., is a known entity in government contracting.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector within government contracting is diverse, encompassing a wide range of support functions from administrative to highly specialized litigation. This contract falls under professional services, specifically legal support. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms, from large corporations to smaller specialized boutiques, vying for government contracts. Benchmarking spending in this area requires comparing the scope and duration of services against similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies or within different branches of the military.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication from the provided data that this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. The contractor, HII Mission Driven Innovative Government Solutions Inc., is a large business. Without specific subcontracting plans or goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses in their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration office within the Department of the Navy. Performance monitoring, invoicing review, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, which provide award details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Legal Services
Federal Litigation Support Services
Navy Legal Operations
Professional Services Contracts
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Long contract duration may limit adaptability to changing needs.
Broad NAICS code could obscure specific service costs and performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.4 million to HII MISSION DRIVEN INNOVATIVE GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC.. LEGAL LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HII MISSION DRIVEN INNOVATIVE GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-26. End: 2016-08-24.

What is the specific nature of the 'Legal Litigation Support Services' provided under this contract, and how does the NAICS code 'Other Accounting Services' relate?

The NAICS code 541219, 'Other Accounting Services,' appears to be a broad categorization that may encompass various professional services beyond traditional accounting, including legal support. The specific nature of 'Legal Litigation Support Services' under this contract likely involves assistance with legal research, document management, discovery processes, trial preparation, and potentially expert witness coordination. Without further details, it's difficult to ascertain the precise scope. However, it's common for government contracts to use broader NAICS codes when a service doesn't fit neatly into a more specific category, or when the contract covers a range of related professional services. The Department of the Navy would have defined the specific requirements in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

How does the $23.4 million total award amount compare to similar legal litigation support contracts within the Department of Defense?

Comparing the $23.4 million total award over nearly 10 years requires access to a database of similar contracts. However, as a general benchmark, this amount represents a significant investment in legal support. Contracts for litigation support can vary widely based on the complexity, duration, and criticality of the legal matters involved. For major defense litigation, multi-million dollar contracts are not uncommon. To assess value, one would ideally compare the average annual cost ($2.34M) against contracts for similar services awarded by other branches of the military or federal agencies, considering factors like the number of attorneys or paralegals supported, the types of cases handled (e.g., administrative, civil, criminal), and the geographic scope of the support.

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

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if the contractor's efficiency is low, the total cost can escalate beyond initial estimates. For legal litigation support, this could mean longer-than-expected research hours, extensive document review, or unforeseen material costs. Effective oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours and material expenses, and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

Given the 10-year duration, how might this contract impact the Department of the Navy's ability to adapt to evolving legal needs or technological advancements?

A 10-year contract duration, while indicating a stable, long-term need, can present challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving legal landscapes and technological advancements. Legal practices and the tools used to support them (e.g., e-discovery software, AI-driven research) change frequently. A long-term T&M contract might not incentivize the contractor to adopt the most cost-effective or efficient new technologies if it means reducing billable hours. Conversely, it could provide the stability needed for the contractor to invest in specialized expertise or technology tailored to the Navy's long-term needs. The Navy would need robust contract management to ensure the services remain relevant and efficient throughout the contract's life, potentially through contract modifications or performance reviews.

What is the track record of HII Mission Driven Innovative Government Solutions Inc. in providing similar legal or professional support services to the federal government?

HII Mission Driven Innovative Government Solutions Inc. (a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries) is a large and established government contractor with a broad portfolio of services, including IT, engineering, and professional support. While specific data on their legal litigation support track record for the Department of the Navy isn't detailed here, their extensive experience across various federal agencies suggests a capacity to manage complex contracts. Publicly available contract databases would likely show a history of awards for professional services. Assessing their specific performance on past legal support contracts would require a deeper dive into past performance evaluations and contract histories to gauge reliability, quality of service, and adherence to budget.

How does the 'full and open competition' award mechanism influence the potential cost-effectiveness for taxpayers on this contract?

Awarding this contract through 'full and open competition' is generally beneficial for taxpayers. It means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid, maximizing the pool of potential offerors. This increased competition typically drives down prices as contractors vie to win the award. It also encourages innovation and efficiency, as companies strive to offer the best value proposition. While the Time and Materials nature of the contract introduces some cost uncertainty, the competitive bidding process at the outset provides a strong foundation for achieving cost-effectiveness compared to sole-source or limited competition awards, where pricing power is often shifted to the contractor.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services › Other Accounting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: NEW Mountain Finance Sbic, LP

Address: 12730 FAIR LAKES CIR, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,366,596

Exercised Options: $23,366,563

Current Obligation: $23,366,563

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0344K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline