DOJ awards $30.1M for legal support services, with a significant portion allocated to forfeiture assistance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,125,610 ($30.1M)

Contractor: Forfeiture Support Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2022-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY23 EOUSA ORDER 0651

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $30.1 million to FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: FY23 EOUSA ORDER 0651 Key points: 1. Contract value of $30.1M over four years suggests a substantial need for ongoing legal services. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The primary focus on forfeiture support highlights a critical area of the Department of Justice's operations. 4. The contract's duration of 1460 days (4 years) provides a stable, long-term resource for the agency. 5. The award to a single contractor, FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC, warrants scrutiny of performance and pricing. 6. The NAICS code 541199 (All Other Legal Services) is broad, requiring a deeper understanding of specific services rendered.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific service details. The total award of $30.1M over four years averages to approximately $7.5M annually. This figure needs to be compared against similar contracts for legal support services, particularly those focused on forfeiture, to assess if the pricing is competitive. The contract type (Labor Hours) can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully, but also offers flexibility. Without detailed performance metrics or cost breakdowns, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' suggesting that multiple bidders were likely considered. This method is generally preferred as it allows for the widest possible participation from qualified vendors, fostering a competitive environment. The number of bidders and the specific evaluation criteria used would provide further insight into the strength of the competition. A robust competition typically leads to better pricing and service quality for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at the most competitive prices, preventing potential overspending and ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized legal support, particularly in managing assets seized through forfeiture proceedings. This contract ensures the continuity of critical legal services essential for law enforcement and judicial processes. The services provided likely support federal agencies involved in investigations and prosecutions requiring forfeiture of illicit assets. The geographic impact is national, supporting DOJ's nationwide operations and asset recovery efforts. The contract may indirectly impact the legal profession by creating demand for specialized legal support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep due to the Labor Hours contract type if not closely monitored.
The broad NAICS code may obscure the specific nature and cost-effectiveness of the services provided.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant duration necessitates strong performance management to ensure quality and prevent complacency.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
The contract addresses a critical and specialized area of legal support for the DOJ.
The long-term nature of the contract provides stability and predictability for essential services.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector is vast, encompassing a wide range of specialized support. This contract falls under 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199), indicating a niche within the broader legal support industry. The federal government is a significant consumer of legal services, with spending often concentrated in areas like litigation support, compliance, and specialized advisory roles. Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparison with other federal contracts for similar specialized legal support, particularly those related to asset forfeiture and management, which can be a complex and resource-intensive area for agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication from the provided data that this contract includes a small business set-aside. The contractor, FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business. Further investigation would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this large contract, which could provide them with valuable experience and revenue.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside within the Department of Justice's relevant component, likely the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) or a similar litigation support division. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Litigation Support Contracts
Federal Asset Forfeiture Programs
Legal Services for Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Labor Hours contract type.
Broad NAICS code may lack specificity for detailed cost-benefit analysis.
Need for thorough performance monitoring due to long contract duration and single awardee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $30.1 million to FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC. FY23 EOUSA ORDER 0651

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 (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'forfeiture support' services provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC' and falls under NAICS code 541199 (All Other Legal Services). While the contract title suggests a focus on forfeiture, the specific services are not detailed. Generally, forfeiture support can encompass a range of activities such as legal research, drafting legal documents related to asset seizure and forfeiture, managing forfeited assets, providing expert testimony, and assisting in litigation concerning forfeited property. The broad NAICS code implies these services might be varied and specialized, going beyond standard legal counsel. Understanding the precise scope is crucial for evaluating the contract's necessity and cost-effectiveness.

How does the $30.1M contract value compare to historical DOJ spending on similar forfeiture support services?

To assess the $30.1M contract value, a historical spending analysis by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on similar forfeiture support services is necessary. This would involve examining past contracts awarded for comparable services, noting their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Comparing the current award's total value and annual average ($7.5M) against these historical benchmarks can reveal whether the current pricing is in line with, higher than, or lower than previous expenditures. Factors such as inflation, changes in service scope, and market competition over time would need to be considered in this comparison to provide a nuanced perspective on the value received by the DOJ.

What performance metrics are in place to ensure the quality and efficiency of the services provided by FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC?

The contract data does not specify the performance metrics. However, for a contract of this magnitude and duration, the Department of Justice would typically establish a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) outlining specific deliverables, quality standards, and timelines. Key performance indicators (KPIs) might include turnaround times for legal document preparation, accuracy rates in research, successful management of asset inventories, and client satisfaction feedback from DOJ components. Regular performance reviews, potentially including Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluations, would be used to monitor compliance and address any deficiencies, ensuring the contractor meets the required standards.

What is the track record of FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the track record of FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC is not directly available in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports) for this contractor on previous federal contracts. This would reveal their history of meeting deadlines, delivering quality services, managing costs, and overall compliance with contract terms. Examining their experience with forfeiture support or similar legal services for government agencies would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability, informing the assessment of risk associated with this current award.

Given the 'Labor Hours' contract type, what measures are in place to control costs and prevent scope creep?

Contracts awarded on a 'Labor Hours' basis, like this one, are susceptible to cost overruns if not managed diligently. The Department of Justice would typically implement several control measures. These include establishing clear ceilings on the total number of labor hours and the total contract value, requiring detailed timesheets and justifications for hours worked, and implementing a robust oversight process to monitor progress and resource allocation. Regular reviews of invoices and work performed are essential. Furthermore, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) plays a critical role in managing the day-to-day execution, ensuring that work stays within the defined scope and that any proposed changes are properly evaluated for necessity and cost impact before approval.

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: LABOR HOURS (Z)

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: $34,556,392

Exercised Options: $34,556,392

Current Obligation: $30,125,610

Actual Outlays: $23,241,101

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $1,440,713

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000271

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline