DOJ's $8.1M contract for educational support services awarded to Mark Harri, with 11 months duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,087 ($8.1K)

Contractor: Harri, Mark

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-03-22

End Date: 2026-04-02

Contract Duration: 11 days

Daily Burn Rate: $735/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INSTRUCTOR

Place of Performance

Location: BLAIRSDEN GRAEAGLE, PLUMAS County, CALIFORNIA, 96103

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $8,086.77 to HARRI, MARK for work described as: INSTRUCTOR Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price nature and duration, but detailed cost breakdowns are needed for a definitive assessment. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a BPA Call under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process but potentially limited market reach. 3. Risk indicators include the short duration and single awardee, which could limit flexibility and competitive pressure. 4. Performance context is tied to educational support services, a critical function for agency personnel development. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the professional services segment of the government contracting market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.1 million over approximately one year for educational support services seems within a reasonable range for specialized training and development programs. Benchmarking against similar contracts for executive education or specialized technical training would provide a clearer picture of value. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost certainty for the government, but the absence of detailed cost breakdowns makes it difficult to assess the profit margins or efficiency of the contractor. Without more granular data on the specific services provided and their unit costs, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) as a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. While SAP is intended for smaller procurements, the value of $8.1 million might suggest that the competition could have been broader. The specific details of how this BPA Call was solicited and whether multiple vendors were invited are not provided. A limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition, as the pool of potential bidders may be restricted.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition under SAP for this substantial contract value means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most competitive pricing achievable through a wider solicitation. This approach could potentially result in higher costs than if the contract had been fully and openly competed.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Department of Justice personnel who will receive educational support services, enhancing their skills and knowledge. Services delivered are expected to be in the realm of educational support, potentially including training, curriculum development, or learning management. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Justice, with potential reach to its various bureaus and offices nationwide. Workforce implications include the potential for improved employee performance and career development within the DOJ.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP for a contract of this value could lead to suboptimal pricing.
The short duration of the contract may not allow for long-term strategic development of educational programs.
Lack of detailed cost information hinders a thorough value-for-money assessment.
Reliance on a single awardee for a significant service could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarding to a single contractor can streamline management and delivery of services.
The contract supports critical educational functions within the Department of Justice.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under the Educational Support Services sub-sector. This market segment is characterized by a wide range of providers, from small specialized firms to large government contractors. Government spending in this area often supports workforce development, training, and specialized technical education. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar educational and training services, considering factors like the number of trainees, duration of programs, and complexity of the subject matter.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a BPA Call under SAP, it's possible that small businesses were not specifically solicited or did not participate in the competition. The implications for the small business ecosystem are minimal unless subcontracting opportunities are mandated or pursued by the prime contractor. Without specific subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division, the contracting activity. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Training Programs
Federal Workforce Development Initiatives
Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) for Training
Professional Services Schedules (PSS)

Risk Flags

Limited competition for a contract of this value.
Potential for cost overruns if scope changes significantly under FFP.
Lack of detailed cost information hinders value assessment.
Short contract duration may limit long-term program impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $8,086.77 to HARRI, MARK. INSTRUCTOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARRI, MARK.

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 $8,086.77.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-22. End: 2026-04-02.

What specific educational support services are being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 611710, which corresponds to 'Educational Support Services'. This broad category can encompass a variety of services, such as curriculum development, instructional design, training delivery, educational consulting, and administrative support for educational programs. Without further details from the contract's statement of work (SOW), it is difficult to ascertain the precise nature of the services. However, given the awarding agency (DOJ) and the value, it likely pertains to professional development, specialized skills training, or leadership education for DOJ personnel. Further analysis would require reviewing the specific SOW or contract modifications.

How does the $8.1 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar educational support services by the ATF or DOJ?

To accurately compare this $8.1 million contract to historical spending, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) or the broader Department of Justice (DOJ) for 'Educational Support Services' (NAICS 611710) or closely related categories. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for contracts with similar descriptions, durations, and values. Factors to consider in the comparison would include the number of awards, the average contract value, the number of bidders, and the specific services rendered. Without this historical data, it's challenging to definitively state whether $8.1 million represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these services.

What is the track record of the contractor, Mark Harri, in delivering federal educational support services?

Assessing the track record of 'Mark Harri' requires searching federal procurement databases for past contract awards to this specific entity or individual. Key performance indicators to examine would include the types of services previously provided, contract values, durations, past performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract disputes, terminations, or awards. If Mark Harri is a sole proprietor or a newly formed entity, their track record might be limited, potentially increasing performance risk. Conversely, a history of successful contract completions with positive past performance reviews would indicate a lower risk. Information on previous federal awards, especially within the DOJ or ATF, would be most relevant.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for educational support services?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts offer cost certainty to the government, meaning the price is set and generally not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's actual costs. For educational support services, potential risks with an FFP contract include the contractor cutting corners on quality or scope to maximize profit, especially if the initial pricing was aggressive or underestimated the effort. If the educational requirements are complex or evolve significantly, the contractor may be less willing to accommodate changes without additional cost, potentially leading to disputes or unmet needs. Conversely, if the contractor significantly overestimates costs, the government may overpay for the services. The limited competition aspect also adds risk, as the government may not have secured the best possible price.

How does the competition level (BPA Call under SAP) for this $8.1M contract impact price discovery and taxpayer value?

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for an $8.1 million contract suggests a potentially limited competition. While SAP is designed for efficiency in smaller procurements, its application to a contract of this magnitude raises questions about whether a broader, more competitive solicitation could have yielded better pricing. Limited competition typically means fewer bidders are involved, which can reduce the downward pressure on prices. This can lead to less optimal price discovery, where the market rate is not fully explored, potentially resulting in higher costs for taxpayers. The government might achieve some efficiencies through the BPA mechanism, but the trade-off is often a less competitive pricing environment compared to full and open competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4180 BARTON RD, LOOMIS, CA, 95650

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,087

Exercised Options: $8,087

Current Obligation: $8,087

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15A00022AAQA00295

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline