Interior Department awards $2.2M contract for Tribal Court legal services to TIGER LAW, PLLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,232,696 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Tiger LAW, PLLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRIBAL COURT ASSESSMENT ROCKY MOUNTAIN AND GREAT PLAINS REGION

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20240

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.2 million to TIGER LAW, PLLC for work described as: TRIBAL COURT ASSESSMENT ROCKY MOUNTAIN AND GREAT PLAINS REGION Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Services are categorized under 'All Other Legal Services,' a broad classification. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty. 5. Awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. 6. The contractor, TIGER LAW, PLLC, is based in the District of Columbia.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without knowing the scope of services and the specific legal needs of the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions' tribal courts. The contract value of $2.23 million over five years averages to approximately $446,500 annually. This figure needs to be compared against the typical annual spending for similar legal support services within the Department of the Interior or for tribal court systems. Without more granular data on the services provided (e.g., number of cases, types of legal advice), a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure offers some cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that the agency initially considered excluding certain sources but ultimately opened the competition to all eligible bidders. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific legal services requirement. A higher number of bidders would typically lead to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, even with only two bidders, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it allows for a broader pool of potential providers to submit offers, potentially driving down costs compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Tribal courts in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions will benefit from consistent legal support. The contract ensures the availability of legal services essential for the functioning of these courts. This supports the Department of the Interior's mission to serve and support tribal governments. The geographic impact is focused on the specified regions, addressing localized legal needs. The contract supports legal professionals and administrative staff within TIGER LAW, PLLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition with only two bidders could potentially lead to higher prices than a more robustly competed contract.
The broad 'All Other Legal Services' category makes it difficult to assess if the specific expertise required is fully met.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it hard to gauge the quality of services delivered.
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it might be part of a larger, potentially less scrutinized, IDIQ contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating an effort to maximize the vendor pool.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The five-year duration suggests a stable and predictable need for these critical legal services.
The contract supports the essential functions of tribal courts, aligning with federal trust responsibilities.

Sector Analysis

Legal services, particularly those supporting government functions and specialized areas like tribal law, represent a significant segment of the professional services market. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541199 ('All Other Legal Services') encompasses a wide array of legal practices. Spending in this category can vary greatly depending on agency needs, from general counsel support to highly specialized litigation or advisory services. Benchmarking requires comparing this contract's value against similar legal support contracts awarded by federal agencies, especially those serving tribal communities or operating under similar jurisdictional frameworks.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, TIGER LAW, PLLC, is not identified as a small business in the provided data, but its size status would typically be determined by its annual revenue and employee count relative to SBA size standards for its industry.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, as indicated by the 'sa' field. The agency contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. As a firm fixed-price contract, financial oversight focuses on ensuring the contractor meets deliverables rather than scrutinizing costs. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice - Tribal Justice Support
Bureau of Indian Affairs - Legal Services
Indian Health Service - Legal Counsel
Federal Indian Law Services
Tribal Court Administration Support

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Broad Service Category
Lack of Performance Data
Delivery Order Mechanism

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.2 million to TIGER LAW, PLLC. TRIBAL COURT ASSESSMENT ROCKY MOUNTAIN AND GREAT PLAINS REGION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TIGER LAW, PLLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the specific scope of legal services required under this contract?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541199, 'All Other Legal Services.' While the award notice specifies 'TRIBAL COURT ASSESSMENT ROCKY MOUNTAIN AND GREAT PLAINS REGION,' the precise scope of services is not detailed in the provided data. This could encompass a wide range of activities, including legal research, drafting legal documents, providing advice on tribal law and federal regulations impacting tribal courts, assisting with court procedures, and potentially supporting case management systems. The 'assessment' aspect suggests a focus on evaluating current court operations, identifying needs, and recommending improvements. Without a detailed Statement of Work (SOW), it's difficult to ascertain the exact nature and volume of legal work expected.

How does the $2.23 million contract value compare to similar legal services contracts for tribal courts?

Direct comparison is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of tribal court legal service contracts, which are often awarded by various federal agencies and tribal governments. However, a $2.23 million contract over five years ($446,500 annually) for specialized legal support to a regional group of tribal courts appears to be a significant investment. For context, other federal agencies procure legal services under various NAICS codes. For instance, contracts for general legal services can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on complexity and duration. The value here suggests a substantial need for ongoing legal expertise tailored to the unique legal landscape of tribal governance and justice systems in the specified regions.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract?

Several risks could be associated with this contract. Firstly, the broad 'All Other Legal Services' classification might indicate a lack of specificity in the requirement, potentially leading to the contractor not possessing the exact niche expertise needed for complex tribal law matters. Secondly, with only two bidders identified, there's a risk of limited competition, which could result in suboptimal pricing or fewer innovative solutions. Thirdly, the long duration (five years) increases the risk of scope creep or changes in legal requirements that may not be adequately addressed by the current contract terms. Finally, effective oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor delivers high-quality, relevant legal advice and support throughout the contract period.

What is the track record of TIGER LAW, PLLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for the Department of the Interior?

Information regarding the specific track record of TIGER LAW, PLLC in performing federal contracts, especially for the Department of the Interior, is not provided in the data snippet. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), the types and values of previous federal awards they have received, and their history of compliance with contract terms and delivery schedules. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and expertise in fulfilling government requirements, particularly those related to tribal legal matters.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method impact cost-effectiveness?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method is a specific type of full and open competition. It implies that the agency initially considered restricting the field of potential offerors but then decided to open it up broadly. While still a form of full and open competition, the initial consideration of exclusion might suggest unique requirements or a perceived limited pool of qualified vendors. The ultimate opening to all eligible bidders is generally positive for cost-effectiveness, as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing. However, the fact that only two bids were received suggests that the market for this specific service might be limited, potentially tempering the cost-saving benefits compared to a scenario with numerous bidders.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'Delivery Order'?

The designation of this award as a 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) typically means it is issued under a pre-existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar contract vehicle. This implies that the underlying IDIQ contract likely underwent a competitive process itself, establishing terms, conditions, and potentially pricing for a broad category of services. The delivery order then specifies the exact quantity, delivery schedule, and price for a particular task or requirement. This approach allows agencies to procure services more rapidly once the foundational IDIQ contract is in place. For taxpayers, the cost-effectiveness depends on how competitively the original IDIQ contract was awarded and how efficiently subsequent delivery orders are managed.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140A1622Q0020

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2133 E 69TH ST STE A, TULSA, OK, 74136

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,232,696

Exercised Options: $2,232,696

Current Obligation: $2,232,696

Actual Outlays: $1,441,523

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140A1621D0024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline