DOJ's $74.4M Litigation Support Contract Awarded to PAE Labat-Anderson LLC Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $74,451,302 ($74.5M)

Contractor: PAE Labat-Anderson LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2021-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: MEGA5 AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $74.5 million to PAE LABAT-ANDERSON LLC for work described as: MEGA5 AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $74.4M over 5 years. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting market availability. 3. Risk of cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing. 4. Legal services sector, with NAICS code 541199. 5. Potential for significant taxpayer impact due to contract size.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure presents a risk for cost control. Benchmarking against similar legal support services contracts is difficult without specific task order details, but the overall value suggests a substantial investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The $74.4M contract represents a significant allocation of taxpayer funds for legal support services over five years.

Public Impact

Ensures critical legal support for the Department of Justice's operations. Potential impact on case processing times and outcomes. Supports jobs within the legal services industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to uncontrolled costs.
Contract duration of 5 years may not align with evolving needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Contract supports essential government functions.
Experienced vendor likely involved.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the legal services sector, specifically automated litigation support. Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies to manage caseloads and legal proceedings efficiently. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Therefore, the extent of small business participation in this contract is unclear and may be limited.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to manage the Time and Materials pricing and ensure the contractor delivers services effectively and within budget. The Department of Justice's contracting officers will be responsible for monitoring performance and expenditures.

Related Government Programs

All Other Legal Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure.
Long contract duration (5 years).
Potential for scope creep.
Lack of specific performance metrics in data.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $74.5 million to PAE LABAT-ANDERSON LLC. MEGA5 AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PAE LABAT-ANDERSON LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $74.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific litigation support services are included under this contract, and how do they align with the Department of Justice's strategic goals?

The contract covers automated litigation support services, likely encompassing tasks such as e-discovery, document review, case management software, and trial support. These services are essential for the Department of Justice to efficiently manage its vast caseload, process legal documents, and prepare for trials, directly supporting its mission to enforce the law and administer justice.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing model for this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risk of Time and Materials (T&M) pricing is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor. Mitigation strategies typically include establishing strong oversight, defining clear work requirements, setting cost ceilings, and requiring detailed invoicing and progress reports to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent unnecessary expenses.

How will the effectiveness of the automated litigation support services be measured to ensure optimal value for taxpayer investment?

Effectiveness will be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as turnaround time for document processing, accuracy rates in discovery, reduction in manual review hours, and user satisfaction from DOJ personnel. Regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, and comparison against pre-defined service level agreements (SLAs) will ensure the services are delivered efficiently and meet the Department's operational needs.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Amentum Services, Inc.

Address: 7799 LEESBURG PIKE STE 300N, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22043

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $87,871,006

Exercised Options: $74,535,959

Current Obligation: $74,451,302

Actual Outlays: $70,562,423

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $663,771

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000373

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline