DOJ awards $16.2M to Forfeiture Support Associates for legal services, impacting ATF operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,232,369 ($16.2M)

Contractor: Forfeiture Support Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.6K/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 $16.2 million to FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Spending on legal services for forfeiture support is significant at $16.2M. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk appears moderate, with contract duration and specific service scope being key factors. 4. The sector is professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically legal services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $16.2M for 364 days of labor hours is substantial. Benchmarking against similar legal services contracts for forfeiture support is difficult without more granular data on service complexity and required expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes price discovery and competitive bidding. However, the specific nature of forfeiture legal services may limit the number of truly qualified bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential legal support services related to asset forfeiture, aiming to recover illicit gains.

Public Impact

Supports ATF's mission in asset forfeiture and related legal proceedings. Ensures continuity of critical legal services for complex forfeiture cases. Potential impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the forfeiture process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited visibility into specific service deliverables and performance metrics.
Potential for cost overruns if case complexity is underestimated.
Dependence on a single contractor for specialized legal expertise.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition should drive competitive pricing.
Contract supports a critical government function (asset forfeiture).
Clear contract end date provides an opportunity for re-evaluation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically 'All Other Legal Services'. Spending in this area is often driven by specialized needs and regulatory requirements, with benchmarks varying widely based on service type.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the requirement may necessitate specialized expertise or resources typically found in larger firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the contractor delivers high-quality legal services within the allocated budget and meets performance expectations. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division is responsible for contract administration.

Related Government Programs

All Other Legal Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration of 364 days may require extensions or re-competition.
Limited information on specific performance metrics.
Potential for sole-source if specialized expertise is not widely available.
High dollar value requires diligent oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $16.2 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 $16.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific scope of 'All Other Legal Services' required for forfeiture support, and how does it differ from standard legal counsel?

The 'All Other Legal Services' category for forfeiture support likely encompasses specialized legal expertise related to the investigation, seizure, and disposition of assets acquired through illegal activities. This can include complex litigation, asset tracing, international cooperation, and compliance with specific forfeiture statutes, which goes beyond general legal representation.

How will the effectiveness of Forfeiture Support Associates' services be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to case resolution rates, successful asset recovery, adherence to legal timelines, and client satisfaction from the ATF. Regular performance reviews and reporting requirements stipulated in the contract will be essential for monitoring and ensuring value.

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

Primary risks include potential cost overruns due to unforeseen case complexities, contractor performance issues, or reliance on specialized knowledge. Mitigation strategies may involve robust contract oversight, clearly defined performance standards, contingency planning for service disruptions, and potentially incorporating incentive clauses for exceptional performance.

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

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: $16,232,369

Exercised Options: $16,232,369

Current Obligation: $16,232,369

Actual Outlays: $4,291,607

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $1,348,767

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000271

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline