DOJ's $25.5M Legal Services Contract Awarded to ACACIA CENTER FOR JUSTICE Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,469,402 ($25.5M)
Contractor: Acacia Center for Justice
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2022-09-01
End Date: 2025-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY22 CCI
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $25.5 million to ACACIA CENTER FOR JUSTICE for work described as: FY22 CCI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $25.5 million for legal services. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk associated with Time and Materials pricing model. 4. Services fall under the 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure presents a potential risk for cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar legal services contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing type can limit price certainty for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for legal services. The T&M structure necessitates careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential overspending.
Public Impact
Provides essential legal services to the Department of Justice. Supports the 'All Other Legal Services' sector, indicating specialized legal support. Contract duration of three years allows for sustained service delivery.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing
- Lack of specific cost breakdown for benchmarking
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Awarded to a single entity for specialized services
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically legal services. Spending benchmarks for this category vary widely based on specialization and contract type.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting or prime contracting. Further analysis is needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to manage the Time and Materials contract effectively, ensuring that costs remain within reasonable bounds and that services meet the Department of Justice's needs.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing model
- Potential for cost overruns
- Lack of detailed service description
- Limited insight into small business participation
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $25.5 million to ACACIA CENTER FOR JUSTICE. FY22 CCI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ACACIA CENTER FOR JUSTICE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-01. End: 2025-08-31.
What specific legal services are being provided under this contract?
The contract falls under NAICS code 541199, 'All Other Legal Services.' While the specific services are not detailed in the provided data, this category typically encompasses legal services not classified elsewhere, such as specialized litigation support, policy analysis, or expert witness services.
What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing structure for this contract?
The primary risk of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost escalation. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the government pays for the actual time and materials used, which can lead to higher-than-expected costs if not closely monitored and managed. This structure can also reduce the contractor's incentive to control costs.
How does the 'full and open competition' method impact the overall value for taxpayers?
Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. It allows any interested and qualified contractor to submit a bid, increasing the likelihood of securing the best value. However, the T&M pricing structure here requires diligent oversight to ensure this competitive advantage translates into cost savings.
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
Address: 1025 CONNECTICUT AVE NW STE 701, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $39,268,927
Exercised Options: $25,469,402
Current Obligation: $25,469,402
Actual Outlays: $21,702,166
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 40
Total Subaward Amount: $14,472,250
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS22D00000013
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-01
Current End Date: 2025-08-31
Potential End Date: 2027-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-16
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