DOJ's $8,000 electronic lien filing contract for Eastern District of Missouri awarded to SimpliFile LC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,000 ($8.0K)

Contractor: Simplifile LC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY2026 ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF LIEN FILING SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE U. S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI. OY3

Place of Performance

Location: PROVO, UTAH County, UTAH, 84604

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $8,000 to SIMPLIFILE LC for work described as: FY2026 ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF LIEN FILING SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE U. S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI. OY3 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential electronic recording services for legal filings. 2. Awarded to a single vendor, SimpliFile LC, for the upcoming fiscal year. 3. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The service supports the operational efficiency of the U.S. Attorney's Office. 6. Geographic focus is on the Eastern District of Missouri.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8,000 for one year of electronic recording services is modest. Benchmarking against similar contracts for legal support services or electronic filing systems is difficult without more specific data on the volume of filings or complexity of services. However, given the fixed-price nature and the relatively small award amount, it suggests a potentially good value for the specific needs of the Eastern District of Missouri's U.S. Attorney's Office.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less extensive competition process than full and open competition. While the data indicates it was 'competed,' the specific number of bidders or the method used to solicit bids is not detailed. SAP is often used for procurements below certain dollar thresholds, aiming for efficiency. The limited competition may mean fewer price discovery opportunities compared to a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to slightly higher prices than if a wider range of vendors had competed. However, the small contract value here likely mitigates significant overspending.

Public Impact

The U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri, benefits from efficient electronic filing. Legal professionals and the public interacting with the office will experience streamlined record-keeping. The service supports the administration of justice within the specified geographic region. No significant workforce implications are expected from this specific contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if SimpliFile LC is the only provider with necessary integration.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical recording services could pose a risk if service is interrupted.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Awarded under SAP, suggesting an efficient procurement process for a smaller value contract.
The service directly supports the operational needs of a federal law enforcement agency.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector within the federal government encompasses a wide range of support functions, from investigative assistance to administrative record-keeping. This contract falls under the 'All Other Legal Services' category (NAICS 541199), which includes services not elsewhere classified within legal support. Federal spending in this broad category can be substantial, supporting various agencies. This specific contract, however, represents a very small portion, focusing on a niche but essential function for a specific district office.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was competed under SAP and awarded to SimpliFile LC, it's unclear if small businesses were involved in the bidding process or if they will benefit from subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and legal compliance divisions. As it is a relatively small contract awarded under SAP, extensive external oversight mechanisms like an Inspector General investigation might be less likely unless specific issues arise. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services Contracts
U.S. Attorney's Office Operations
Electronic Filing Systems
District Court Support Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Reliance on a single vendor for critical service

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $8,000 to SIMPLIFILE LC. FY2026 ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF LIEN FILING SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE U. S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI. OY3

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIMPLIFILE LC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8,000.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical cost range for electronic lien filing services for U.S. Attorney's Offices across different districts?

Determining a precise cost range for electronic lien filing services across all U.S. Attorney's Offices is challenging without access to detailed contract data for each district. Costs can vary significantly based on factors such as the volume of filings, the specific software and integration requirements, the level of support needed, and the competitive landscape within each geographic region. Smaller districts or those with lower filing volumes, like the Eastern District of Missouri in this case with an $8,000 award, will naturally have lower contract values. Larger districts or those with more complex legal operations might contract for similar services at substantially higher figures, potentially in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Benchmarking requires comparing contracts with similar scopes of work and service levels, which is often difficult due to the proprietary nature of some service agreements and the varied reporting of contract details.

What is SimpliFile LC's track record with federal government contracts, particularly within the Department of Justice?

SimpliFile LC has a history of providing electronic recording and document management solutions. While specific details on their entire federal contract portfolio require a deep dive into federal procurement databases, their presence suggests they are a recognized vendor in this niche. For the Department of Justice, their involvement could range from direct contracts like this one to being a subcontractor on larger IT or legal support agreements. Assessing their track record involves examining past performance reviews, any reported contract disputes or successes, and the longevity of their government engagements. A consistent award history, especially for similar services, would indicate reliability and satisfaction from federal agencies.

How does the fixed-price contract type mitigate risks for the government in this scenario?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as used here, is generally advantageous for the government when the scope of work is well-defined and risks of cost overruns are manageable. For the $8,000 electronic recording services contract, FFP means SimpliFile LC is obligated to provide the specified services for the agreed-upon price of $8,000. This eliminates the risk of price increases due to contractor inefficiencies or unforeseen cost escalations on their end. The government knows its exact expenditure upfront. The primary risk shifted to the contractor is managing their costs to remain profitable within the fixed price. For the government, the main residual risk is ensuring the contractor delivers the required quality and service levels, which is managed through contract administration and performance monitoring.

What are the potential implications of using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this contract?

Using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this contract, valued at $8,000, allows for a more streamlined and efficient procurement process compared to traditional full and open competition. SAP is designed for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), enabling agencies to acquire goods and services more quickly. This often involves less documentation, fewer formal bidding requirements, and potentially shorter award timelines. While beneficial for efficiency and cost savings in procurement administration, SAP can sometimes result in less robust price competition if not managed carefully. However, for a contract of this small value, the efficiency gains often outweigh the potential minor reduction in price competition, ensuring the government receives necessary services in a timely manner.

Are there alternative vendors or technologies that could provide similar electronic lien filing services?

Yes, there are typically alternative vendors and technologies available for electronic lien filing and legal document management services. The market includes various software providers specializing in legal tech, document automation, and secure electronic filing solutions. These alternatives might offer different features, pricing models, or levels of integration with existing government systems. The choice of SimpliFile LC suggests they either met specific requirements, offered competitive pricing within the SAP framework, or have an existing relationship or established presence with the U.S. Attorney's Office. A broader market analysis would be needed to identify all potential competitors and assess if other solutions could offer superior value or functionality.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › All Other Legal Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15JA0522Q00000090

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5072 N 300 W, PROVO, UT, 84604

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,000

Exercised Options: $8,000

Current Obligation: $8,000

Actual Outlays: $2,511

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JA0522A00000241

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline