DOJ's $122M IT Infrastructure Support Contract Awarded to MANTECH for 11 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $122,086,319 ($122.1M)

Contractor: Mantech Information Systems & Technology Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2011-09-27

End Date: 2022-03-31

Contract Duration: 3,838 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: EOIR IT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $122.1 million to MANTECH INFORMATION SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: EOIR IT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides long-term IT infrastructure support, indicating a sustained need for these services. 2. The duration of the contract (nearly 11 years) suggests a stable but potentially less agile approach to IT modernization. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, implying a broad market search and potential for competitive pricing. 4. The contract's value of over $122 million over its lifespan warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness. 5. Focus on computer systems design services highlights the critical role of IT in agency operations. 6. The use of Time and Materials pricing may lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 7. Multiple delivery orders (16) suggest a phased approach to service delivery or evolving requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $122 million over nearly 11 years averages to approximately $11 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale IT infrastructure support contracts within federal agencies is crucial. Without specific comparable data, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the extended duration and the nature of IT services suggest that consistent, high-quality support is being provided. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while offering flexibility, can pose a risk for cost control compared to fixed-price contracts, potentially impacting overall value if not meticulously monitored.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the Department of Justice sought bids from all responsible sources. The presence of 16 delivery orders suggests that the contract vehicle was utilized multiple times, potentially across different phases or needs within the EOIR IT infrastructure domain. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but full and open competition generally aims to maximize the pool of potential offerors, fostering price discovery and encouraging competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining competitive pricing and better value by allowing a wide range of vendors to participate.

Public Impact

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) within the Department of Justice benefits from sustained IT infrastructure support, ensuring the continuity of its operations. Services delivered include computer systems design and related support, crucial for managing immigration case data and processing. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting EOIR's distributed offices and personnel. Workforce implications include the potential for stable employment for IT professionals working for the contractor, MANTECH.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously managed and monitored by the agency.
The long contract duration (nearly 11 years) could potentially lead to vendor lock-in or slower adoption of newer, more cost-effective technologies.
Reliance on a single contractor for such a critical function over an extended period might reduce competitive pressure for innovation and efficiency.
The specific details of the 16 delivery orders are not provided, making it difficult to assess if requirements evolved significantly or if there were scope changes that impacted cost.
The absence of small business subcontracting goals (indicated by 'sb': false) means potential missed opportunities for small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process that allowed multiple vendors to compete, potentially leading to better pricing.
The contract has a long performance history, indicating a level of satisfaction and reliability from the contractor, MANTECH.
The sustained nature of the contract suggests a clear and ongoing need for these IT services within the Department of Justice.
The contract value is substantial, implying a significant scope of work and a critical role in supporting agency functions.
The contract is structured with multiple delivery orders, which can allow for flexibility in addressing evolving IT needs over the long term.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related infrastructure support. The federal IT services market is vast, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and modernizing their technological capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale IT support contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Homeland Security or the General Services Administration. The market is characterized by both large prime contractors and a significant ecosystem of subcontractors, including small businesses.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses ('sb': false) and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements or goals. This suggests that small businesses may not have had a direct set-aside opportunity for the prime contract. However, it is possible that MANTECH, as the prime contractor, may engage small businesses for subcontracting work, though this is not guaranteed or mandated by the contract details provided. The lack of specific small business participation metrics makes it difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Justice, specifically the contracting officer and program managers responsible for the EOIR IT infrastructure. The contract's long duration and multiple delivery orders necessitate continuous monitoring of performance, costs, and adherence to terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract and delivery orders. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice IT Modernization Efforts
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) IT Support
Federal Civilian Agency IT Infrastructure Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services Contracts
Time and Materials Contract Management

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Risk of technology obsolescence or slow adoption over the long contract duration.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics and outcomes without further data.
Lack of guaranteed small business subcontracting opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $122.1 million to MANTECH INFORMATION SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. EOIR IT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANTECH INFORMATION SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $122.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-27. End: 2022-03-31.

What is the track record of MANTECH Information Systems & Technology Corporation with the Department of Justice and similar federal agencies?

MANTECH Information Systems & Technology Corporation has a history of performing IT services for federal agencies. Examining their past performance on contracts with the Department of Justice and other agencies, particularly those involving IT infrastructure support and computer systems design, would provide insight into their reliability, quality of service, and ability to manage complex projects. A review of contract databases and performance evaluations (if publicly available) would reveal their success rate, any past performance issues, and their experience with similar contract types and scopes. This historical data is crucial for assessing their capability to fulfill the requirements of this substantial contract over its extended duration.

How does the average annual cost of this contract compare to similar IT infrastructure support contracts within the federal government?

The average annual cost of this contract is approximately $11 million ($122M / ~11 years). To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts of similar scope, duration, and service type (IT infrastructure support, computer systems design) awarded by other federal agencies. Factors such as the specific technologies supported, the number of users or systems, geographic distribution of services, and the level of complexity would influence cost. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts with cost breakdowns, a precise comparison is challenging. However, agencies often use GSA schedules or conduct market research to establish fair and reasonable pricing for such services.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure used in this contract?

The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure is the potential for cost overruns and a lack of cost certainty for the government. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fee. If not managed diligently, contractors may have less incentive to control costs or improve efficiency, leading to higher overall expenditures than anticipated. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and robust negotiation of labor rates are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring that the government receives good value for its investment.

How has the long duration of this contract (nearly 11 years) potentially impacted the adoption of new technologies or the overall efficiency of IT support?

The nearly 11-year duration of this contract presents a dual-edged sword regarding technology adoption and efficiency. On one hand, it provides stability and allows the contractor to deeply understand and optimize the existing infrastructure, potentially leading to efficiencies through familiarity and long-term investment in specific solutions. On the other hand, such long-term engagements can sometimes disincentivize rapid adoption of cutting-edge technologies if the contract terms are not flexible enough to accommodate them, or if the contractor focuses on maintaining existing systems rather than introducing transformative solutions. It could also lead to vendor lock-in, making it harder to switch to potentially more innovative or cost-effective solutions from other providers.

What is the significance of the 16 delivery orders issued under this contract?

The issuance of 16 delivery orders under this contract signifies that the overall IT infrastructure support requirement was likely broken down into smaller, manageable taskings over the contract's lifespan. This approach allows the agency to procure specific services or address evolving needs incrementally rather than through a single, massive undertaking. It provides flexibility to adapt to changing technological landscapes, security requirements, or operational demands. Each delivery order would have its own specific scope, period of performance, and cost, contributing to the total contract value. The number suggests a dynamic relationship between the contractor and the agency, with ongoing adjustments to the scope of work.

What are the potential implications of this contract not having explicit small business subcontracting requirements?

The absence of explicit small business subcontracting requirements (as indicated by 'sb': false) means that there is no contractual obligation for the prime contractor, MANTECH, to award a portion of the work to small businesses. While MANTECH may voluntarily subcontract with small businesses, this lack of a mandate reduces the certainty of small business participation. This can limit opportunities for small businesses to gain experience, revenue, and build their track record within the federal contracting space, particularly in large-scale IT infrastructure projects. It also means the government may not be fully leveraging the innovative capabilities and competitive advantages that small businesses often bring to the market.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design 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: 16

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation (UEI: 053518312)

Address: 12015 LEE JACKSON MEMORIAL HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $221,222,895

Exercised Options: $126,366,856

Current Obligation: $122,086,319

Actual Outlays: $51,385,143

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $881,658

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ11C2160

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline