DOJ awards $36.9M Time & Materials contract to Talas Engineering for technical services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,947 ($36.9K)
Contractor: Talas Engineering, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2022-10-21
End Date: 2025-10-20
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $34/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPWT
Place of Performance
Location: HAYWARD, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94545
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $36,947.37 to TALAS ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: EXPWT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Talas Engineering, Inc. for $36.9M. 2. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). 3. Contract type is Time and Materials, with a duration of 1095 days. 4. Awarded by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for Offices, Boards and Divisions. 5. No small business set-aside was applied.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best price discovery for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition and the Time and Materials pricing model raise concerns about potential overspending of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying more than necessary due to limited competition. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category is broad, making specific impact assessment challenging. The contract duration of three years allows for sustained spending.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Time and Materials pricing
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a single entity.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad sector. Benchmarks for this specific sub-category are difficult to ascertain without more detail on the services provided.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of small business participation. This misses an opportunity to support small business growth.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Justice is responsible for oversight. The Time and Materials contract type necessitates diligent monitoring to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and services are delivered effectively.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of competitive bidding may result in suboptimal pricing.
- No small business participation.
- Broad service category makes specific value assessment difficult.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-justice, ca, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $36,947.37 to TALAS ENGINEERING, INC.. EXPWT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TALAS ENGINEERING, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $36,947.37.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-10-21. End: 2025-10-20.
What specific technical services are being procured under this contract, and how do they align with the DOJ's mission objectives?
The contract is categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). Without further details on the specific tasks, it's challenging to definitively link them to DOJ's mission. However, such services often support administrative, investigative, or operational functions within government agencies.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a limited competition basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' suggesting a limited competition approach. The justification for this limited competition is not provided. The Time and Materials pricing structure, combined with limited competition, raises concerns about the government's ability to secure the best possible price.
How will the DOJ ensure cost control and accountability given the Time and Materials contract type and the absence of a competitive bid?
The DOJ must implement rigorous oversight mechanisms, including detailed tracking of labor hours, material costs, and task completion. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial to manage costs effectively and ensure the contractor delivers value for the taxpayer's investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 20902 CABOT BOULEVARD, HAYWARD, CA, 94545
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,947
Exercised Options: $36,947
Current Obligation: $36,947
Actual Outlays: $36,974
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-10-21
Current End Date: 2025-10-20
Potential End Date: 2025-10-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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