DoD's $24.1M rapid response technical forensics support contract awarded to CACI Technologies, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,133,790 ($24.1M)

Contractor: CACI Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-05-13

End Date: 2018-06-08

Contract Duration: 1,122 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF R23G-0817 TASK ORDER FOR RAPID REPSONSE TECHNICAL FORENSICS EXPLOITATION SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.1 million to CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF R23G-0817 TASK ORDER FOR RAPID REPSONSE TECHNICAL FORENSICS EXPLOITATION SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can incentivize cost overruns. 3. Performance period spans over three years, indicating a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a major component of the DoD. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 6. The contract value is substantial, reflecting the critical nature of rapid response technical forensics.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific task order against similar rapid response technical forensics contracts is challenging due to the specialized nature of the services. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while allowing for flexibility, can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed tightly. The total award amount of $24.1 million over approximately three years suggests a significant investment in specialized technical support.

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 a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open competition suggests that the agency sought the best value from a wide range of potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down costs and ensures the government receives the most advantageous terms available in the market.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military and intelligence agencies requiring rapid technical forensics support for investigations and operations. Services delivered include technical exploitation and forensic analysis, crucial for national security. The geographic impact is likely global, given the nature of defense operations, though the specific task order location is Maryland. Workforce implications include the need for highly skilled technical and analytical personnel within CACI Technologies, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

CPFF contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Specialized nature of services may limit the pool of qualified contractors.
Long performance period requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Task order for rapid response suggests critical and timely support capabilities.
Contractor (CACI) is a well-established defense contractor with relevant experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on technical forensics and exploitation support. The market for such specialized services within the defense and intelligence community is significant, driven by the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the need for rapid analysis. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to pinpoint due to the niche nature, but overall DoD spending on IT and professional services is in the billions annually.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this particular task order. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors if they met the qualifications. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration office within the Department of the Army. The CPFF structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and performance to ensure accountability. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics may be considered sensitive.

Related Government Programs

DoD Information Technology Services
Intelligence Community Support Services
Cybersecurity and Forensics Support
Rapid Response Technical Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Specialized nature of technical forensics may limit competitive landscape.
Performance period exceeds three years, necessitating ongoing monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.1 million to CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF R23G-0817 TASK ORDER FOR RAPID REPSONSE TECHNICAL FORENSICS EXPLOITATION SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-05-13. End: 2018-06-08.

What is CACI Technologies, LLC's track record with similar government contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

CACI Technologies, LLC, and its parent company CACI International Inc., have a long history of securing and performing on numerous government contracts, primarily within the defense and intelligence sectors. They are a significant provider of IT, intelligence, and support services to agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD), Army, Navy, and Air Force. Their portfolio often includes areas like C4ISR, cyber solutions, enterprise IT, and mission support. While specific performance details for individual task orders are often not public, CACI's consistent presence and large contract awards suggest a generally positive track record in delivering complex services to the government. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced past performance reviews or disputes on specific contracts, which would require deeper investigation into contract databases and agency reports.

How does the $24.1 million value of this task order compare to other rapid response technical forensics contracts?

Directly comparing the $24.1 million value of this specific task order to other 'rapid response technical forensics' contracts is challenging due to the highly specialized and often classified nature of such services. The term 'rapid response' implies urgent, often unpredictable needs, making contract values variable. However, considering the Department of Defense's overall spending on technical support and intelligence services, $24.1 million over approximately three years represents a significant, but not extraordinary, investment for critical capabilities. Larger, multi-year prime contracts for broader cybersecurity or intelligence support can run into hundreds of millions or billions. This task order likely represents a focused effort within a larger framework or a specific critical need.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for technical forensics support?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, like the one awarded to CACI Technologies, LLC, is the potential for cost overruns. In a CPFF structure, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While the fee is fixed, the contractor has less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as they are guaranteed to be reimbursed for incurred expenses. This can lead to the government paying more than anticipated if the contractor does not manage resources efficiently or if unforeseen technical challenges significantly increase costs. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and robust negotiation of the fixed fee are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for the taxpayer.

How effective is 'full and open competition' in ensuring value for money in specialized IT services like technical forensics?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in government contracting, including specialized IT services. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the government maximizes the potential for receiving competitive bids, innovative solutions, and favorable pricing. This broad competition drives contractors to offer their best capabilities and most cost-effective proposals to win the contract. For specialized services like technical forensics, where unique expertise is required, open competition ensures that the agency can identify and select the contractor best equipped to meet the demanding requirements while also achieving the best possible price. The alternative, limited or sole-source procurements, often result in higher costs due to reduced competitive pressure.

What are the implications of the contract's duration (1122 days) on performance and oversight?

A duration of 1122 days (approximately three years) for this technical forensics support task order has several implications. For performance, it suggests a sustained and critical need for these services, allowing the contractor to develop deeper expertise and potentially more efficient processes over time. It also provides a stable environment for the contractor's personnel. From an oversight perspective, a longer duration necessitates continuous monitoring. Contracting officers and program managers must actively track performance, manage contract modifications, ensure compliance with terms, and regularly assess the contractor's adherence to cost controls and quality standards. The extended period also allows for periodic reviews to ensure the contract remains aligned with evolving technological needs and agency priorities, potentially leading to adjustments or re-competition if necessary.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc

Address: 14370 NEWBROOK DRIVE, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,866,650

Exercised Options: $34,682,380

Current Obligation: $24,133,790

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 21

Total Subaward Amount: $5,044,161

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15P7T10DD413

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline