DOJ awards $806K for legal services to Forfeiture Support Associates LLC, supporting DEA operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $806,184 ($806.2K)

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: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TITLE: OCDETF FSA FY2025 REQUESTOR: LAKESHIA C BOND AFT#: AFT25-OM-004336 REF AWARD/BPA: 15JPSS20D00000271 POP DATES: 10/01/2024 TO 09/30/2025 FUND TO DATE: 09/30/2025

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $806,184.33 to FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: TITLE: OCDETF FSA FY2025 REQUESTOR: LAKESHIA C BOND AFT#: AFT25-OM-004336 REF AWARD/BPA: 15JPSS20D00000271 POP DATES: 10/01/2024 TO 09/30/2025 FUND TO DATE: 09/30/2025 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential legal support for forfeiture operations, a critical component of law enforcement. 2. The award is a delivery order against an existing BPA, suggesting a streamlined procurement process. 3. Limited public data makes a deep dive into value-for-money challenging without further context. 4. The contract duration aligns with a typical fiscal year, ensuring continuity of services. 5. Focus on 'All Other Legal Services' indicates a broad scope within the legal support domain. 6. The contractor, Forfeiture Support Associates LLC, likely possesses specialized expertise in forfeiture law.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is difficult without specific service details or comparable contract data. The $806,184.33 award for a one-year period for 'All Other Legal Services' appears reasonable for specialized legal support, but a definitive assessment requires more granular information on the scope of work and the specific legal challenges addressed. Comparing it to similar contracts for forfeiture support or specialized legal services would provide better context for its value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it is a delivery order against an existing BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement) suggests that the initial competition for the BPA was robust. The specific number of bidders for this particular delivery order is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a competitive environment that should theoretically lead to fair pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure legal services at the best possible price. Full and open competition generally fosters a more efficient use of public funds by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best terms.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), receiving crucial legal support for their forfeiture operations. Services delivered likely include legal research, drafting of legal documents, and advisory services related to asset forfeiture. The geographic impact is national, supporting DEA operations across the United States. Workforce implications are indirect, as this contract supports the operational capacity of federal law enforcement personnel rather than directly employing them.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness beyond basic service delivery.
The broad categorization of 'All Other Legal Services' could mask potential inefficiencies or scope creep if not closely monitored.
Reliance on a Time and Materials contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these services.
The contractor, Forfeiture Support Associates LLC, is likely specialized in forfeiture law, implying relevant expertise.
The contract is a delivery order against an existing BPA, indicating a pre-vetted and potentially efficient procurement vehicle.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector supporting federal agencies is diverse, encompassing a wide range of specialized areas. Contracts for legal support, particularly in areas like forfeiture, are critical for agencies involved in law enforcement and asset recovery. The market size for such specialized legal services is substantial, with numerous firms competing for government contracts. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services, specifically legal counsel, and aligns with government efforts to outsource specialized functions to expert providers.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, its direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, beyond any potential indirect benefits if Forfeiture Support Associates LLC engages small businesses as subcontractors without a formal set-aside requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration. As a delivery order against a BPA, the initial BPA likely established some oversight mechanisms. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates diligent monitoring of hours and costs to ensure value for money. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, but detailed performance reports and specific oversight activities are typically internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice - Asset Forfeiture Program
Drug Enforcement Administration - Legal Support Services
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Legal Services
U.S. Marshals Service - Asset Forfeiture Support

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires careful monitoring to control costs.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective assessment of value difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $806,184.33 to FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC. TITLE: OCDETF FSA FY2025 REQUESTOR: LAKESHIA C BOND AFT#: AFT25-OM-004336 REF AWARD/BPA: 15JPSS20D00000271 POP DATES: 10/01/2024 TO 09/30/2025 FUND TO DATE: 09/30/2025

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 (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $806,184.33.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific nature of the 'All Other Legal Services' provided under this contract?

The specific nature of the 'All Other Legal Services' is not detailed in the provided data. However, given the contractor's name (Forfeiture Support Associates LLC) and the agency (Drug Enforcement Administration), it is highly probable that these services are directly related to supporting the DEA's asset forfeiture operations. This could include legal research on forfeiture laws, drafting forfeiture complaints and pleadings, assisting in the management of seized assets, providing legal advice on forfeiture procedures, and potentially supporting litigation related to forfeiture cases. The 'All Other' designation suggests a broad scope that may encompass various legal tasks not fitting into more narrowly defined categories of legal services.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar legal services contracts?

Direct comparison of pricing is challenging without access to detailed pricing structures and service rates for comparable contracts. The contract is awarded on a Time and Materials (T&M) basis, which means costs are based on the hours worked and the labor rates, plus the cost of materials. To assess value, one would need to benchmark the contractor's hourly rates against market rates for similar legal expertise and compare the total estimated cost against the scope of work and expected outcomes. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the pricing was deemed competitive at the time of award, but ongoing monitoring of T&M expenditures is crucial to ensure cost-effectiveness throughout the contract period.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the methods used for measuring the performance of Forfeiture Support Associates LLC. For a contract of this nature, typical KPIs might include timeliness of legal advice, accuracy of legal research, successful completion of assigned tasks within deadlines, and adherence to legal standards. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reviews by the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the DEA, who would assess the quality and efficiency of the services rendered. Without explicit KPIs, it is difficult to objectively gauge the contractor's effectiveness and ensure optimal value for taxpayer funds.

What is the track record of Forfeiture Support Associates LLC in providing similar legal services to federal agencies?

The provided data indicates that Forfeiture Support Associates LLC is the contractor. While the data does not detail their specific track record, their name suggests a specialization in forfeiture-related legal services. To assess their track record, one would typically look at past performance evaluations on federal contracts, their history of successful contract completions, and any past performance issues or disputes. A thorough review would involve examining their experience with the DEA or other law enforcement agencies on similar forfeiture support tasks. Their ability to secure this contract, especially under full and open competition, suggests they have a demonstrated capability in this niche area.

What is the historical spending pattern for legal services related to forfeiture by the DEA?

Historical spending patterns for legal services related to forfeiture by the DEA are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for contracts awarded to various vendors for forfeiture support, legal counsel, and related services by the DEA. Understanding historical spending would help contextualize the current $806,184.33 award, indicating whether it represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical legal support functions.

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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $1,034,971

Exercised Options: $1,034,971

Current Obligation: $806,184

Actual Outlays: $806,184

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $377,926

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000271

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline