DOJ's $13.1M legal services contract awarded to Forfeiture Support Associates LLC for one year

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,104,299 ($13.1M)

Contractor: Forfeiture Support Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $13.1 million to FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract's value of $13.1M for one year indicates a significant investment in legal support services. 3. The primary contractor, Forfeiture Support Associates LLC, will provide 'All Other Legal Services'. 4. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract, implying potential for future task orders. 5. The duration of 364 days suggests a focused, short-term need for these services. 6. The contract's focus on forfeiture support points to specialized legal expertise required by the ATF.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.1 million for a 364-day period equates to approximately $35,989 per day. Without specific details on the scope of services or the number of legal professionals involved, it is difficult to benchmark this against similar contracts. However, the daily rate suggests a substantial cost for specialized legal services. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and personnel rates against industry standards for forfeiture support and legal counsel.

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 fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the most advantageous offer. The open competition suggests that the agency sought to maximize value and ensure a fair market price for the legal services required.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the government's investment in legal services.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice, specifically the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), will benefit from enhanced legal support. Services delivered include 'All Other Legal Services', likely focusing on forfeiture proceedings and related legal matters. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting federal law enforcement operations. Workforce implications may include the engagement of specialized legal professionals, potentially augmenting existing government legal teams.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of services expands beyond initial expectations.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical legal support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The 'All Other Legal Services' category is broad, potentially leading to ambiguity in service delivery and cost allocation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for reassessment of needs and contractor performance.
Specialized nature of forfeiture support suggests a focused and potentially efficient service delivery model.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under the 'All Other Legal Services' category. The market for legal services supporting federal law enforcement, particularly in areas like asset forfeiture, is specialized. Benchmarking would involve comparing this contract's value and scope to other federal contracts for similar legal support, which often involve complex litigation, investigations, and asset recovery processes.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Forfeiture Support Associates LLC, is likely a larger entity capable of handling the full scope of services. The absence of a small business set-aside means opportunities for small business participation are not mandated by this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division within the Department of Justice. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to contract terms, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed service reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Legal Services Contracts
Federal Law Enforcement Support Services
Asset Forfeiture Program Support
Professional and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to broad service description.
Contractor performance risk if specialized legal support is not adequately delivered.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $13.1 million to FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC. PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the typical track record of Forfeiture Support Associates LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Justice?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess Forfeiture Support Associates LLC's track record. However, the award of a $13.1 million contract by the ATF suggests a demonstrated capability and past performance that met the agency's requirements. Typically, agencies evaluate a contractor's history of meeting performance standards, managing costs, and adhering to schedules on previous contracts. Forfeiture Support Associates LLC's ability to secure this contract implies a positive or at least acceptable performance history, especially given the competitive nature of the award. Further investigation into specific past performance evaluations and any reported issues on prior contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in providing legal services.

How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for specialized legal services in asset forfeiture?

The contract's value of $13.1 million over 364 days results in a daily expenditure of approximately $35,989. Benchmarking this against industry standards for specialized legal services in asset forfeiture requires detailed knowledge of the specific services rendered, the seniority and number of legal professionals involved, and the complexity of the cases handled. Generally, federal legal support contracts can vary widely. If this rate reflects a team of highly experienced attorneys and paralegals working on complex forfeiture cases, it might be within a reasonable range. However, without a breakdown of labor hours, rates, and specific deliverables, a definitive comparison is challenging. It is crucial to compare this rate against similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies for comparable services to ascertain if it represents good value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep, where the demand for legal services exceeds initial projections, leading to cost overruns. Another risk is contractor performance; if Forfeiture Support Associates LLC fails to deliver adequate legal support, it could impede the ATF's forfeiture operations. Dependence on a single provider for specialized services also presents a risk if the contractor faces internal issues or is unable to scale resources. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by the ATF, including clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and defined procedures for scope adjustments. The contract's fixed term also allows for reassessment and potential re-competition if performance is unsatisfactory. Furthermore, the initial full and open competition suggests a thorough vetting process to select a capable provider.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'All Other Legal Services' by the ATF or similar agencies?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for 'All Other Legal Services' by the ATF or comparable agencies is essential for context. This contract, valued at $13.1 million for one year, represents a significant investment. Historical data would reveal whether this amount is consistent with previous years' spending, indicative of an increase or decrease in demand for these services, or an anomaly. Understanding past expenditures helps in assessing whether the current contract value is reasonable and reflects the agency's ongoing needs. For instance, if historical spending has been consistently lower, it might warrant a closer look at the justification for this increase. Conversely, if spending has been trending upwards, it could signal growing caseloads or evolving legal requirements related to forfeiture.

How does the 'delivery order' structure impact the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of this contract?

The classification of this award as a 'delivery order' implies it is a task order issued under a pre-existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or similar type of contract. This structure offers flexibility for the agency, allowing them to procure specific services as needed within the broader scope defined by the parent contract. For taxpayers, this can be cost-effective if it leverages pre-negotiated rates and avoids the administrative burden of establishing a new contract for each discrete need. However, the overall cost-effectiveness depends on how well the parent contract was competed and whether the delivery order rates remain competitive. It also allows the agency to manage workload fluctuations efficiently, ordering services only when required, which can prevent overspending on underutilized resources.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: DJA-24-AFSP-PR-0166

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Science Applications International Corporation

Address: 20110 ASHBROOK PL STE 220, ASHBURN, VA, 20147

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,105,339

Exercised Options: $13,105,339

Current Obligation: $13,104,299

Actual Outlays: $13,104,299

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $203,093

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000271

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline