USDA ARS Spends $2.27M on Patent Legal Services via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,273,991 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Nath & Associates PLLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2021-02-17

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 2,021 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: USDA ARS PATENT LEGAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.3 million to NATH & ASSOCIATES PLLC for work described as: USDA ARS PATENT LEGAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to NATH & ASSOCIATES PLLC for patent legal services. 2. Significant spending on specialized legal support for agricultural research. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. Contract duration extends to August 2026, indicating a long-term need.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.27 million over its term appears reasonable for specialized patent legal services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for legal support would provide a more precise assessment of value.

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 price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential legal services to protect intellectual property generated by agricultural research, potentially leading to future innovations and economic benefits.

Public Impact

Ensures protection of intellectual property developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Supports innovation in agriculture through robust patent legal services. Provides transparency in government spending through competitive bidding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope expands beyond initial estimates.
Reliance on a single firm for critical legal services.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process likely secured favorable pricing.
Long-term contract ensures continuity of essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically legal services, supporting the government's research and development arm. Spending benchmarks for legal services vary widely based on specialization and contract type.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded through full and open competition, it is unclear if small businesses participated or were awarded subcontracts. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract appears to be managed by the Agricultural Research Service within the Department of Agriculture. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, adherence to contract terms, and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Offices of Lawyers
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Research Service Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (over 5 years).
Sole awardee for a critical function.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Potential for scope creep and cost increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.3 million to NATH & ASSOCIATES PLLC. USDA ARS PATENT LEGAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATH & ASSOCIATES PLLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-02-17. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the average hourly rate or blended rate for the legal services provided under this contract, and how does it compare to industry standards?

The provided data does not include specific hourly or blended rates. To assess this, one would need to review the contract's pricing structure and compare it against benchmarks for patent attorneys with similar experience and specialization in government contracting. Without this granular data, a precise comparison is not possible.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is the contractor's performance being measured?

The contract details do not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the method of performance measurement. Effective oversight would require clearly defined KPIs related to patent filing success rates, response times, adherence to legal standards, and client satisfaction, with regular performance reviews.

What is the potential impact on USDA's research and innovation pipeline if this legal service provider fails to perform adequately?

Inadequate performance by the patent legal service provider could significantly disrupt the USDA's research and innovation pipeline. Delays or errors in patent applications could lead to loss of intellectual property rights, hindering the commercialization of new technologies and potentially impacting future funding and research directions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › Offices of Lawyers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1232SA21R0002

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 112 S WEST ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,273,991

Exercised Options: $2,273,991

Current Obligation: $2,273,991

Actual Outlays: $1,990,791

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline