DOJ awards $8.5M task order for forfeiture support services to Forfeiture Support Associates LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,522,671 ($8.5M)

Contractor: Forfeiture Support Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: AFD: FSA AF FY25 TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $8.5 million to FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: AFD: FSA AF FY25 TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the time and materials contract type, but detailed cost breakdowns are needed for a precise assessment. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with the primary risk being the reliance on a time and materials model which can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 4. Performance context is for support services to the U.S. Marshals Service, a critical function within the Department of Justice. 5. Sector positioning is within legal services, specifically supporting asset forfeiture operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The task order value of $8.5 million for a one-year period is substantial for specialized legal support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for forfeiture support is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and labor rates. However, the time and materials (T&M) pricing structure inherently carries a risk of cost escalation if not meticulously monitored. A comparison to industry standard rates for paralegal, investigative, and administrative support in the legal services sector would be beneficial to fully assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award process generally supports price discovery and encourages vendors to offer competitive rates. This approach is intended to ensure the government receives the best value by leveraging market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure services at the most advantageous price point, reducing the likelihood of overpayment for essential support functions.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced support in managing and processing forfeited assets. Services delivered likely include administrative, investigative, and legal support related to asset forfeiture. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting the U.S. Marshals Service's nationwide operations. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized legal support professionals to be engaged through this contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the time and materials contract type if not rigorously managed.
Limited insight into the specific labor categories and rates used, making detailed value assessment difficult.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical support function for a full year.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Supports a critical function for the Department of Justice, indicating essential service provision.
Clear period of performance with defined start and end dates.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector, particularly within government contracting, encompasses a wide range of support functions. This contract falls under specialized legal services related to asset forfeiture, a niche but important area for law enforcement agencies. The market for such services is competitive, with firms possessing specific expertise in handling seized assets and related legal documentation. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the specific services provided and the labor mix.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this task order. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The prime contractor, Forfeiture Support Associates LLC, is not identified as a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would fall under the U.S. Marshals Service and the Department of Justice's internal contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are typically embedded in contract performance clauses and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed service delivery metrics may not always be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Asset Forfeiture Program
Department of Justice Legal Services
U.S. Marshals Service Operations Support
Federal Law Enforcement Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Broad NAICS Code Classification
Lack of Detailed Performance Metrics in Summary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $8.5 million to FORFEITURE SUPPORT ASSOCIATES LLC. AFD: FSA AF FY25 TASK ORDER

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 (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the specific breakdown of labor categories and estimated hours/rates within this Time and Materials task order?

The provided data does not include a detailed breakdown of labor categories, hours, or rates for this Time and Materials (T&M) task order. T&M contracts typically reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates, plus the actual cost of materials. To fully assess value for money and ensure fair pricing, a detailed breakdown is crucial. This would allow for comparison against industry benchmarks for paralegals, investigators, administrative staff, and any specialized roles involved in forfeiture support. Without this granular data, it is difficult to determine if the $8.5 million represents a fair price for the services rendered, beyond the general understanding that T&M contracts require diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.

How does the $8.5 million value compare to historical spending on similar forfeiture support services by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Comparing the $8.5 million value of this task order to historical spending requires access to historical contract data for the U.S. Marshals Service's forfeiture support functions. Without specific historical figures, a direct comparison is not possible. However, the value represents a significant investment in support services for a single fiscal year. If historical data shows similar or increasing spending trends for these services, it could indicate a growing need or a stable demand. Conversely, a sharp increase might warrant further investigation into the drivers of cost. The duration of 364 days suggests this is a substantial annual expenditure for specialized support.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided summary data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this task order. For a contract of this nature, critical KPIs would likely relate to the timely processing of forfeiture documentation, accuracy in asset tracking, adherence to legal deadlines, and overall efficiency in supporting the U.S. Marshals Service's operational tempo. SLAs would define acceptable performance thresholds for these metrics. The absence of this information in the summary means that the effectiveness and efficiency of the contractor's performance cannot be independently assessed from this data alone. These details are typically found in the full contract statement of work.

What is the track record of Forfeiture Support Associates LLC in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Forfeiture Support Associates LLC in performing similar government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous awards. Given this is a task order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by 'TASK ORDER'), their performance on prior task orders or related contracts would be indicative of their capabilities. A positive performance history would reduce perceived risk, while a history of issues could raise concerns about reliability and quality of service delivery.

What is the potential risk associated with the 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199) classification for this contract?

The NAICS code 541199, 'All Other Legal Services,' is broad and encompasses a wide array of legal support activities beyond specialized areas like litigation or patent law. For this contract, supporting asset forfeiture, the risk associated with this classification lies in its generality. It implies that the services could range from administrative support and document management to investigative assistance and case file preparation. The risk is that the broadness of the classification might obscure the specific nature and complexity of the work, potentially leading to misaligned expectations or difficulties in performance monitoring if the scope is not clearly defined in the Statement of Work. Ensuring precise definition of services within this broad category is key to mitigating risk.

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

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: $8,522,671

Exercised Options: $8,522,671

Current Obligation: $8,522,671

Actual Outlays: $8,522,671

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000271

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline