DOJ's FBI awards $10M IT services contract to Noblis, Inc. for 3 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,070,140 ($10.1M)

Contractor: Noblis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: CTAOS DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING SERVICES - SCOR 33

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $10.1 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: CTAOS DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING SERVICES - SCOR 33 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can pose cost control challenges. 2. Competition was conducted under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The contract's duration of 364 days is standard for IT service agreements. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 indicates a broad range of IT services. 5. The award value of $10,070,140 is a significant investment in IT support for the FBI. 6. The contract is a BPA Call under a larger Blanket Purchase Agreement, indicating a pre-negotiated framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness. While the total award is $10.07 million, the actual spend will depend on hours worked and labor categories. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies is crucial. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the T&M nature warrants scrutiny.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a streamlined process for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold. While this indicates some level of competition, the specific number of bidders (6) and the nature of the competition within SAP are not fully detailed. This method is generally intended to promote competition among a wider range of vendors, including small businesses.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP aims to ensure fair pricing and prevent overspending by leveraging market forces, even for smaller contract values. The presence of multiple bidders suggests taxpayers are likely receiving competitive pricing for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will benefit from enhanced IT support services. Services delivered are expected to include a range of computer-related support and engineering. The contract is geographically focused on Virginia, where the FBI has significant operations. The contract supports the federal IT workforce by engaging a private sector contractor for specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The broad NAICS code may obscure the specific nature of services, potentially leading to scope creep.
Reliance on a single BPA call could limit future flexibility if market conditions change significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded to Noblis, Inc., a known entity in government contracting, suggesting a degree of reliability.
Competition under SAP, even if streamlined, indicates an effort to achieve competitive pricing.
The contract is part of a larger BPA, implying a pre-vetted vendor pool and established processes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. The federal IT services market is vast, with agencies consistently investing in support, development, and engineering to maintain and upgrade their technological infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support services vary widely based on scope, duration, and complexity, but contracts in the multi-million dollar range are common for federal agencies like the FBI.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate a small business set-aside (SS is false, SB is false). While the competition was conducted under SAP, which can be advantageous for small businesses, there is no explicit provision for small business participation or subcontracting mentioned in the provided data. This means opportunities for small businesses may be limited unless they are prime contractors or subcontractors to Noblis, Inc.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the FBI's contracting officers and program managers. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates robust oversight to track hours, labor categories, and ensure services align with the Statement of Work. Transparency is expected through regular reporting requirements and performance reviews. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

FBI IT Modernization Programs
Department of Justice IT Services Contracts
GSA IT Schedule Contracts
Cloud Computing Services for Federal Agencies
Cybersecurity Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Need for robust oversight to manage T&M contract effectively.
Broad NAICS code may require careful scope management.
Reliance on a BPA Call structure limits immediate flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $10.1 million to NOBLIS, INC.. CTAOS DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING SERVICES - SCOR 33

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, 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 $10.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the historical spending pattern of the FBI on IT services similar to this contract?

The FBI, as a major federal law enforcement agency, consistently invests heavily in IT services to support its vast operational needs, including data management, communications, and investigative technologies. Historical spending data reveals a significant and often increasing trend in IT procurement over the past decade. This is driven by the need to modernize legacy systems, adopt new technologies like AI and cloud computing, and enhance cybersecurity defenses against evolving threats. Specific spending patterns for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) would show a substantial allocation, often in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, distributed across various contracts for development, engineering, maintenance, and support. This particular $10.07 million contract represents a segment of that broader IT investment, likely focused on specific engineering and development tasks for a defined period.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar IT engineering services?

Benchmarking the awarded price of $10.07 million for 364 days requires a detailed understanding of the specific services rendered under NAICS 541519. However, given the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, the comparison is more about the reasonableness of labor rates and the efficiency of service delivery rather than a fixed price. Federal IT labor rates, especially for specialized engineering and development roles, can be competitive with or higher than private sector rates due to security clearance requirements, specialized skills, and the need for 24/7 availability in some contexts. Noblis, Inc. is a reputable contractor, and competition under SAP suggests an effort to secure fair market prices. A detailed analysis would involve comparing the proposed labor categories and hourly rates against GSA schedules, other agency contracts, and industry surveys for similar skill sets in the Virginia region.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be measured?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this specific contract. However, for IT development and engineering services, typical KPIs often include metrics related to project completion timelines, adherence to budget (especially critical for T&M contracts), quality of deliverables (e.g., bug rates, system uptime, performance benchmarks), responsiveness to task orders, and customer satisfaction. Measurement methods would likely involve regular progress reports, system testing, user acceptance testing, and formal performance reviews conducted by the FBI's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The effectiveness of the T&M contract hinges on the clarity and rigor of these KPIs and the FBI's diligent oversight in tracking performance against them.

What is Noblis, Inc.'s track record with the FBI and other federal agencies for similar services?

Noblis, Inc. has a significant track record as a government contractor, frequently serving various federal agencies, including those in the defense, intelligence, and civilian sectors. Their experience often spans complex IT, engineering, and scientific support services. For the FBI specifically, Noblis has likely engaged in prior contracts related to IT modernization, data analytics, and systems engineering, given the agency's mission requirements. A review of federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would reveal the extent and nature of their past performance with the FBI and other agencies. Generally, Noblis is recognized for its technical expertise and ability to handle challenging projects, suggesting a positive historical performance, though specific contract outcomes always warrant individual review.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for IT services?

The primary risk associated with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not rigorously managed. For the FBI, risks include exceeding the $10.07 million ceiling without a commensurate increase in delivered value, scope creep where tasks expand beyond initial intent, and difficulties in accurately forecasting final costs. Effective mitigation requires strong contract oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and expenses, clear definition of work requirements, and regular performance reviews to ensure efficiency 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 › IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2002 EDMUND HALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 20191

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: $10,070,140

Exercised Options: $10,070,140

Current Obligation: $10,070,140

Actual Outlays: $1,254,060

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $14,188,662

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06724A0000336

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline