DOJ's $52.4M Legal Services Contract Awarded to Acacia Center for Justice Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $52,369,046 ($52.4M)
Contractor: Acacia Center for Justice
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2022-09-01
End Date: 2026-07-31
Contract Duration: 1,429 days
Daily Burn Rate: $36.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
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 $52.4 million to ACACIA CENTER FOR JUSTICE for work described as: FY22 CCI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $52.4 million for legal services. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk associated with the long duration (1429 days) and firm-fixed-price structure. 4. Spending falls within the 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code, requiring sector-specific benchmarking.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's firm-fixed-price structure with a significant value suggests a need for robust performance metrics to ensure value for money. Benchmarking against similar 'All Other Legal Services' contracts is crucial to assess pricing effectiveness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized through a competitive process, which should theoretically lead to a fair price for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Ensures access to legal services for the Department of Justice. Supports the 'All Other Legal Services' sector, contributing to economic activity. Long-term commitment may provide stability for the contractor and consistent service delivery.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration may lead to scope creep or changing needs.
- Firm-fixed-price could incentivize cost-cutting at the expense of quality if not monitored.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition promotes competitive pricing.
- Clear contract end date provides a defined period for service.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199) category. Benchmarking spending in this sector requires comparing the per-unit cost or overall contract value against similar legal support services procured by government agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract did not involve small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the services inherently favors larger firms.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be critical to ensure the Department of Justice receives the full value of this contract, particularly given its duration and fixed-price nature. Regular performance reviews and adherence to contract terms are essential for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Firm-fixed-price contract.
- No small business participation.
- Broad NAICS code requires specific benchmarking.
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 $52.4 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 $52.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-01. End: 2026-07-31.
How does the $52.4 million cost compare to similar legal services contracts awarded by the DOJ or other federal agencies for comparable scope and duration?
Benchmarking this $52.4 million contract against similar 'All Other Legal Services' procurements is essential. Without specific data on the scope of services, duration, and performance metrics of comparable contracts, a definitive value assessment is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to control costs, but the large sum necessitates close monitoring of deliverables to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
What are the primary risks associated with a 1429-day firm-fixed-price contract for legal services, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks include potential for scope creep, contractor performance degradation over time, and the possibility that the fixed price may become uncompetitive if market rates change significantly. Mitigation strategies should involve rigorous performance monitoring, clear deliverable definitions, and mechanisms for contract modification if unforeseen circumstances arise, ensuring the government receives value throughout the contract's life.
To what extent does the 'All Other Legal Services' category encompass the specific services provided under this contract, and how does this impact the assessment of its effectiveness?
The broadness of the 'All Other Legal Services' category means effectiveness is best judged by the contractor's ability to meet the specific, defined needs of the Department of Justice. If Acacia Center for Justice delivers the required legal support efficiently and effectively, meeting all performance standards, the contract can be deemed effective regardless of the general category. Detailed performance metrics are key to this assessment.
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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
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: $60,281,538
Exercised Options: $52,369,046
Current Obligation: $52,369,046
Actual Outlays: $42,453,483
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 89
Total Subaward Amount: $33,592,118
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: 2026-07-31
Potential End Date: 2027-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-31
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