DOJ's $50M IT support contract awarded to Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc. for 6 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,224,316 ($50.2M)

Contractor: Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2020-09-30

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,008 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT DESK SIDE SERVICES FOR CUSTOMERS OF HQSU, QSU, ISU, AND RCXU. TO INCLUDE OPERATIONS&MAINTENANCE, TECH REFRESH, OFFICE IT RELOCATIONS, ETC. ITESD20200013, ITESD20200021, ITESD20200022, ITESD20200023, ITESD20200024, ITESD20200026, ITESD20200027

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $50.2 million to INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES INC for work described as: IT DESK SIDE SERVICES FOR CUSTOMERS OF HQSU, QSU, ISU, AND RCXU. TO INCLUDE OPERATIONS&MAINTENANCE, TECH REFRESH, OFFICE IT RELOCATIONS, ETC. ITESD20200013, ITESD20200021, ITESD20200022, ITESD20200023, ITESD20200024, ITESD20200026, ITESD20200027 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential IT operations, maintenance, and refresh services across multiple DOJ units. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 3. The contract duration of approximately 6 years indicates a long-term need for IT support. 4. Services include office IT relocations, highlighting the dynamic nature of IT infrastructure needs. 5. The contract's value places it within a significant tier for IT support services. 6. Performance period extends to March 2026, ensuring continuity of IT operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $50.2 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for comprehensive IT support services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT support contracts within federal agencies suggests this pricing is competitive. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for IT services, requires diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep. Without specific line-item cost data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides some assurance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of multiple bidders (implied by 'full and open') typically fosters price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive rates. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award suggests a healthy market for these IT support services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process which generally leads to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors, ensuring the government receives good value for its investment.

Public Impact

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel and other Department of Justice (DOJ) components (HQSU, QSU, ISU, RCXU) benefit from reliable IT infrastructure and support. Services delivered include critical operations and maintenance, technology refreshes, and IT relocations, ensuring modern and functional IT environments. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the specified DOJ units, likely concentrated in major federal office locations. Workforce implications include ensuring IT staff have the necessary tools and support to perform their duties effectively, indirectly supporting law enforcement and administrative functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing if not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure support.
Risk of vendor lock-in if transition to a new vendor is complex.
Ensuring consistent service quality across different DOJ units.
Keeping pace with rapidly evolving IT technologies and security threats.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
Contract duration provides stability and continuity for essential IT services.
Contractor's experience in IT services is likely a positive factor.
Services cover a broad range of IT needs, offering a comprehensive solution.
Clear performance period and delivery order structure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on IT support, operations, and maintenance. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure. This contract represents a typical procurement for essential IT support functions, enabling agencies to focus on their core missions. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, small businesses are unlikely to be direct prime contractors on this award. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, depending on the specific service requirements and the contractor's subcontracting plan. The absence of a small business set-aside means the competition was open to all eligible firms, potentially limiting direct opportunities for small businesses in this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program/technical points of contact within the FBI and DOJ. The contract type (Time and Materials) necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and material costs to ensure compliance and prevent overspending. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

IT Operations and Maintenance Services
IT Infrastructure Support
Technology Refresh Contracts
Federal IT Services Procurements
Department of Justice IT Spending

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Need for robust oversight to ensure efficient service delivery.
Risk of vendor lock-in if transition planning is inadequate.
Ensuring alignment with evolving IT modernization goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $50.2 million to INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES INC. IT DESK SIDE SERVICES FOR CUSTOMERS OF HQSU, QSU, ISU, AND RCXU. TO INCLUDE OPERATIONS&MAINTENANCE, TECH REFRESH, OFFICE IT RELOCATIONS, ETC. ITESD20200013, ITESD20200021, ITESD20200022, ITESD20200023, ITESD20200024, ITESD20200026, ITESD20200027

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $50.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-30. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc. in performing similar federal IT support contracts?

Assessing the track record of Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc. (IMTA) requires reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving IT operations, maintenance, and technology refreshes. Publicly available data, such as contract award histories and performance evaluations (if accessible), would indicate their experience level, ability to meet deadlines, and client satisfaction. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget contract completions for similar services would be a strong positive indicator. Conversely, a record of performance issues, contract disputes, or significant cost overruns would raise concerns about their capability to execute this current $50 million contract effectively. Further investigation into their specific experience with Department of Justice or similar law enforcement/intelligence agencies would provide more targeted insights.

How does the awarded amount of approximately $50.2 million compare to similar IT support contracts for federal agencies of comparable size and scope?

The $50.2 million contract value over its approximate 6-year period (ending March 2026) translates to an average annual value of roughly $8.37 million. To benchmark this, one would compare it to other federal IT support contracts awarded to agencies with similar operational complexities and user bases, such as other large law enforcement or intelligence agencies. Contracts for comprehensive IT operations, maintenance, help desk support, and technology refreshes for organizations of the FBI's scale can easily reach into the tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars over similar durations. Factors like the number of users supported, geographic distribution of sites, and the criticality of the IT systems influence pricing. If this contract covers a broad range of services for a significant user base, its value appears within a reasonable range for the federal IT services market. However, a detailed comparison would require analyzing specific service inclusions and performance metrics of comparable contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract structure for the Department of Justice?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for the Department of Justice (DOJ) is the potential for cost overruns and a lack of definitive cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or inefficient work practices if not rigorously monitored. For the DOJ, this means a heightened need for robust oversight mechanisms, including detailed tracking of labor hours, verification of material costs, and strong project management to ensure that the work performed is necessary and efficient. Without stringent oversight, the total cost could significantly exceed initial estimates, impacting budget predictability and potentially leading to less value for taxpayer money. Ensuring clear task orders and performance standards is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process likely to be in ensuring the best value for this IT support contract?

The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring the best value for federal contracts, including this IT support services award. By allowing all eligible responsible sources to compete, it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. This broad competition drives down costs as contractors vie for the award. Furthermore, it allows the agency to select a vendor based on a combination of technical merit, past performance, and price, rather than solely on cost. For this DOJ contract, the competitive process likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition award. The effectiveness is further enhanced if the agency clearly defined its requirements and evaluation criteria, ensuring that the 'best value' determination was comprehensive.

What are the potential implications of the contract's duration (ending March 2026) on IT modernization efforts within the DOJ?

The contract's duration, extending to March 2026, provides a stable foundation for essential IT operations and maintenance, ensuring continuity of services for the FBI and other DOJ components. This stability can be beneficial, allowing IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives rather than constant vendor transitions. However, a fixed duration of this length also presents potential challenges for IT modernization. If the contract's scope is narrowly defined around existing systems and maintenance, it might inadvertently discourage or delay the adoption of newer, more advanced technologies. The DOJ would need to ensure that the contract includes provisions for incorporating emerging technologies or that separate, agile procurements are initiated to drive modernization efforts. The contractor's ability and willingness to support modernization within the T&M framework will be a key factor.

Are there any specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) mentioned or implied that would gauge the contractor's performance?

The provided data does not explicitly detail specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for a contract of this nature and value, it is highly probable that such metrics are included within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or associated task orders. Typical SLAs for IT support services include response times for help desk tickets, system uptime percentages, resolution times for critical issues, and turnaround times for technology refreshes or relocations. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while focused on cost reimbursement, still necessitates performance standards to ensure the work is completed effectively. The Department of Justice's contracting officers and technical monitors would be responsible for tracking the contractor's adherence to these implied or explicit performance standards to ensure service quality and value.

Industry Classification

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

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

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

Address: 2100 CRYSTAL DR STE 750, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,593,295

Exercised Options: $50,224,316

Current Obligation: $50,224,316

Actual Outlays: $57,980,380

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0096L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline