MITRE Corporation awarded $5.66M for FFRDC NSEC Support Services by the Department of Justice

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,664,220 ($5.7M)

Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2019-09-24

End Date: 2024-03-13

Contract Duration: 1,632 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FFRDC NSEC SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $5.7 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: FFRDC NSEC SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. The contract spans over 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. Services provided fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure may incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored. 5. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the primary recipient agency. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order under an existing FFRDC agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of FFRDC support services is complex due to their unique nature and often specialized expertise. Given the sole-source award and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, a direct comparison to market rates for similar services is challenging. However, the duration and scope suggest a significant investment. Without more granular data on the specific tasks performed and their associated costs, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. The fixed fee component provides some cost control, but the overall cost-plus nature warrants careful oversight.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, The MITRE Corporation, was solicited. This is common for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) due to their unique capabilities and established relationships with government agencies. While this ensures access to specialized expertise, it bypasses the competitive bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings typically achieved through a competitive bidding process. The government relies on the FFRDC's established pricing and the fixed fee to manage costs, rather than market forces.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) benefits from specialized technical and scientific support. Services likely enhance the FBI's operational capabilities and research initiatives. The contract supports a critical national security function. Workforce implications are likely within the highly specialized technical and scientific fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract can lead to cost escalations if not managed effectively.
Broad service category makes it difficult to assess specific value delivered.
Long contract duration requires ongoing justification of need and performance.

Positive Signals

Award to a recognized FFRDC (MITRE) suggests access to high-level expertise.
Delivery order under an existing FFRDC agreement implies a streamlined process for specialized needs.
Fixed fee component provides a ceiling on contractor profit, offering some cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990. This sector is characterized by firms providing specialized expertise. FFRDCs like MITRE play a crucial role in providing objective, independent research and analysis to government agencies, often in areas requiring deep technical knowledge and long-term strategic planning. Spending in this category is substantial across the federal government, supporting a wide range of mission-critical functions.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award to a large FFRDC, there are no direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses indicated within this specific award. The primary focus is on the specialized capabilities of the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's contracting and program management offices, with specific oversight from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As a sole-source award to an FFRDC, there is an expectation of inherent oversight due to the nature of FFRDCs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting, but detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns may be less publicly available compared to competitively bid contracts. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

FFRDC Support Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Justice Contracts
Federal Bureau of Investigation Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
Broad service category

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $5.7 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. FFRDC NSEC SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-24. End: 2024-03-13.

What is the historical spending trend for FFRDC NSEC Support Services with the FBI?

Analyzing historical spending trends for this specific contract requires accessing detailed contract databases over multiple fiscal years. However, general trends for FFRDC support services across the Department of Justice and the FBI indicate a consistent reliance on these specialized entities for complex research, development, and technical assistance. Spending in this category often fluctuates based on evolving national security needs, technological advancements, and specific program requirements. Without direct historical data for this exact award or its predecessors, it's challenging to pinpoint precise trends. However, the multi-year nature of this award suggests a sustained and significant requirement for MITRE's services within the FBI.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure compare to other contract types for similar FFRDC services?

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for FFRDC work, especially when the scope of work involves research and development where exact costs are difficult to predict upfront. In a CPFF contract, the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This differs from fixed-price contracts, where the price is set regardless of the actual cost, and cost-reimbursement contracts without a fixed fee. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility for evolving R&D requirements but can be more expensive if costs are not well-controlled. Other FFRDC contracts might use different structures like Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) or Time and Materials (T&M), depending on the nature of the services and the government's risk tolerance. The fixed fee in CPFF provides some predictability on contractor profit, which is a positive aspect for cost management.

What specific technical or scientific expertise does MITRE provide under this contract?

The contract description 'FFRDC NSEC SUPPORT SERVICES' and the broad NAICS code 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' indicate a wide range of potential support. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), MITRE's expertise typically spans areas critical to national security and law enforcement, including cybersecurity, data analytics, systems engineering, advanced technology research, and policy analysis. For the FBI, this could translate to support in areas like digital forensics, threat intelligence analysis, development of new investigative technologies, or strategic planning for technological modernization. The specific deliverables and technical focus would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) associated with this delivery order, which is not publicly available in this data snippet.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award to an FFRDC?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award, even to an FFRDC, is the lack of competitive pressure, which can potentially lead to higher prices than might be achieved through a competitive bidding process. Taxpayers may not receive the full benefit of market-driven cost efficiencies. Additionally, without competition, there's a reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate aggressively on cost-saving measures, although FFRDCs are generally mission-oriented. Another consideration is ensuring that the FFRDC's capabilities remain aligned with the government's evolving needs over the contract's duration. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

How does this contract align with the FBI's overall mission and strategic goals?

This contract directly supports the FBI's mission by providing essential technical and scientific expertise. The FBI is tasked with protecting the U.S. from terrorism, foreign intelligence, and cyber threats, and enforcing federal criminal laws. Specialized support services from an FFRDC like MITRE are crucial for addressing complex challenges in these areas, particularly in rapidly evolving fields like cybersecurity and data analysis. The services likely enable the FBI to enhance its investigative capabilities, develop advanced tools, and maintain a technological edge against adversaries. The long-term nature of the award suggests alignment with ongoing strategic priorities related to technological advancement and operational effectiveness.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

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: $31,647,793

Exercised Options: $20,201,750

Current Obligation: $5,664,220

Actual Outlays: $5,608,490

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06719D0000649

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline