DOJ Awards $2.98M Time & Materials Contract for Legal Services to Secretariat Economists LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,983,960 ($3.0M)
Contractor: Secretariat Economists LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2023-05-19
End Date: 2027-07-30
Contract Duration: 1,533 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20037
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $3.0 million to SECRETARIAT ECONOMISTS LLC for work described as: EXPERT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competition. 2. Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed. 3. The 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code is broad, potentially masking specific needs. 4. Long contract duration (over 4 years) requires ongoing oversight.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which is inherently less predictable in cost than fixed-price contracts. Without a clear benchmark for 'All Other Legal Services' for this duration and scope, assessing value is difficult. The lack of competition further complicates value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to drive down prices.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition and use of Time and Materials pricing may result in higher taxpayer costs compared to a competitively bid fixed-price contract.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying more than necessary due to the absence of competition. The broad scope of 'All Other Legal Services' could mean funds are used for services not originally envisioned. Long-term contracts require diligent oversight to ensure continued necessity and fair pricing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of Competition
- Time and Materials Pricing
- Broad NAICS Code
- Long Contract Duration
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a known entity (though details are limited)
- Contract has a defined end date
Sector Analysis
The legal services sector is diverse, with pricing varying significantly based on specialization and contract type. For 'All Other Legal Services,' benchmarks are hard to establish without more specific details on the services rendered. This contract's value is difficult to assess against sector norms due to its sole-source nature.
Small Business Impact
The data provided does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status necessitates robust oversight from the Department of Justice to ensure the contractor is delivering necessary services at fair prices and that the contract remains within scope and budget. Regular reviews of timesheets and deliverables are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Use of Time and Materials pricing
- Broad and potentially vague service description (NAICS 541199)
- Long contract duration (over 4 years)
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on specific services rendered
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, dc, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $3.0 million to SECRETARIAT ECONOMISTS LLC. EXPERT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SECRETARIAT ECONOMISTS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-05-19. End: 2027-07-30.
What specific legal services are being procured under the broad 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code, and how does the pricing compare to similar specialized legal services obtained through competiti
The broad NAICS code makes it difficult to ascertain the exact services. If the services are specialized, a sole-source Time and Materials contract is likely more expensive than a competitively procured fixed-price contract for those specific services. Without detailed service descriptions, a precise comparison is impossible, but the lack of competition inherently suggests a potential for inflated costs.
What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source Time and Materials contract for legal services, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
The primary risks include cost overruns due to the open-ended nature of Time and Materials, potential for scope creep, and lack of incentive for efficiency. Mitigation strategies should involve strict monitoring of hours, detailed review of deliverables, clear task orders, and regular performance evaluations to ensure value and control costs.
How effective is the Department of Justice in overseeing this contract to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and for necessary services, given the contract's structure?
Effectiveness hinges on the DOJ's diligence in contract management. Active oversight, including detailed audits of billing, performance metrics, and regular communication with the contractor, is essential. Without this, the risks of inefficiency and overspending inherent in a sole-source T&M contract are significantly amplified.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2121 K ST NW, STE 1100, WASHINGTON, DC, 20037
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,145,777
Exercised Options: $6,145,777
Current Obligation: $2,983,960
Actual Outlays: $1,980,339
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-05-19
Current End Date: 2027-07-30
Potential End Date: 2027-07-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-23
Other Department of Justice Contracts
- Contractor Owned and Operated Existing Correctional Facility for Approximately 3,500 LOW Security Male Inmates — $794.5M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)
- Detention Services - SAN Diego — $776.9M (THE GEO Group, Inc.)
- CO: Telly Renfroe Award of NEW Task Order Base Year Initial Funding — $616.4M (AT&T Enterprises, LLC)
- TAS 151060 - Services for the Management and Operation of a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated, Correctional Facility for 2,567 Beds in Adams County, Mississippi — $574.3M (Corecivic, Inc.)
- Provide Services for the Management and Operation of a Correctional Facility in Accordance With Rfp-Pcc-0014 — $568.9M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)