DOJ's DEA Awards $1.73M for Web Search Portals to Domaintools LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,325 ($17.3K)

Contractor: Domaintools LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-06-01

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $48/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TITLE: SOD DOMAIN TOOLS

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $17,325 to DOMAINTOOLS LLC for work described as: TITLE: SOD DOMAIN TOOLS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Domaintools LLC for web search portal services. 2. The contract value is $1.73 million over 364 days. 3. Procurement method was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', raising potential competition concerns. 4. The sector is Information Technology, specifically web search and information services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $1.73 million for a 364-day period for web search portals appears high without competitive benchmarking. The lack of competition makes it difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a potential limitation on competition. This method may not have explored all available vendors, potentially impacting price discovery and value for money.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being spent on a service procured without full and open competition, which could lead to overpayment compared to a competitively bid contract.

Public Impact

Citizens may question the fairness of awarding contracts without exploring all potential vendors. The use of taxpayer funds for non-competed services warrants scrutiny to ensure value. Transparency in government contracting is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 48 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment
Limited transparency in procurement

Positive Signals

Specific service for DEA operations
Firm fixed price contract

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology sector, particularly web search portals and information services, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for similar services are often established through competitive bidding processes.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were considered or had an opportunity to compete for this contract. The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests a limited scope for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is needed to ensure the justification for not competing this contract is sound and that the pricing is reasonable. Accountability for procurement decisions rests with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Related Government Programs

Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Drug Enforcement Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in procurement process
Unclear justification for sole-source award

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $17,325 to DOMAINTOOLS LLC. TITLE: SOD DOMAIN TOOLS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMAINTOOLS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,325.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-06-01. End: 2027-05-31.

What was the specific justification for not competing this contract under SAP, and were alternative vendors or solutions evaluated?

The justification for not competing under SAP is not provided in the data. Typically, agencies must demonstrate specific circumstances, such as urgency, unique capabilities, or limited sources, to justify non-competitive awards. Without this information, it's impossible to assess if alternative vendors or solutions were adequately considered, impacting the potential for better value.

How does the per-unit cost or overall contract value compare to similar web search portal services procured competitively by other agencies?

Without competitive benchmarks or detailed service descriptions, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the $1.73 million for a one-year contract for web search portals, especially when not competitively bid, raises concerns about potential overpricing. A thorough market analysis or review of competitively awarded contracts for similar services would be necessary to establish a fair price.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and necessity of Domaintools LLC's services for the DEA's mission?

Effectiveness is typically measured through performance metrics and user feedback outlined in the contract. Given the non-competitive nature, it's crucial that the DEA has clearly defined requirements and is actively monitoring service delivery against these expectations. Regular performance reviews and a clear understanding of how these tools directly support the DEA's drug enforcement mission are essential.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services › Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2101 4TH AVE STE 1720, SEATTLE, WA, 98121

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,325

Exercised Options: $17,325

Current Obligation: $17,325

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline