US International Development Finance Corp. Awards $845K for Global Legal Support to Nixon Peabody LLP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $84,500 ($84.5K)

Contractor: Nixon Peabody LLP

Awarding Agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Start Date: 2023-06-05

End Date: 2026-06-05

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $77/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES - GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP IFF 9.0 AND IFF 10.0

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20527

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation obligated $84,500 to NIXON PEABODY LLP for work described as: LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES - GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP IFF 9.0 AND IFF 10.0 Key points: 1. Nixon Peabody LLP, a large law firm, secured this contract. 2. The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process. 3. The primary risk is the Time and Materials pricing model, which can lead to cost overruns. 4. This spending falls within the professional services sector, specifically legal services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials pricing structure presents a risk for cost control. Benchmarking against similar legal support contracts is difficult without more detailed task breakdowns and hourly rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive process for smaller value procurements. The impact on price discovery is likely positive due to competition, but the T&M structure warrants close monitoring.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential legal services to support international development finance initiatives. The T&M pricing model necessitates careful oversight to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Supports U.S. international development finance operations globally. Ensures legal compliance and expertise for complex international transactions. Potential for increased costs due to Time and Materials billing. Contract duration extends over three years, indicating ongoing support needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 77 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing
Lack of detailed cost breakdown

Positive Signals

Competed under SAP
Supports critical international finance mission

Sector Analysis

Legal support services are crucial for government agencies engaged in international operations and complex financial transactions. Benchmarks for such services vary widely based on specialization and geographic scope.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Nixon Peabody LLP, a large, established law firm. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as prime contractors or significant subcontractors in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order, which is a standard instrument for acquiring goods and services. Oversight will focus on monitoring the Time and Materials expenditures against the stated ceiling and ensuring deliverables meet requirements.

Related Government Programs

Offices of Lawyers
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Contracting
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing model
Potential for cost overruns
Limited transparency on specific legal tasks
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation awarded $84,500 to NIXON PEABODY LLP. LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES - GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP IFF 9.0 AND IFF 10.0

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NIXON PEABODY LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (U.S. International Development Finance Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $84,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-05. End: 2026-06-05.

What specific legal services are covered under this contract, and how do they align with the agency's mission?

The contract is for 'LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES - GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP IFF 9.0 AND IFF 10.0'. While the exact services aren't detailed, they likely encompass advice on international agreements, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and transactional support related to the agency's global partnership initiatives. These services are critical for enabling the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to effectively manage its international investments and projects.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing model for this legal support contract?

The primary risk of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost escalation if not managed diligently. Without a fixed price, the total cost is directly tied to the hours worked and the materials used. This can lead to unpredictable expenditures and potentially higher costs than anticipated if the scope expands or inefficiencies arise. Robust oversight and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate this risk.

How does the competition method (SAP) impact the overall value and effectiveness of this legal support procurement?

Competing the contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) suggests an effort to streamline the procurement process for a contract valued below certain thresholds. This can lead to faster award times and potentially lower administrative costs. While SAP generally encourages competition, the effectiveness in achieving the best possible price and value depends on the specific market conditions and the clarity of the solicitation requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › Offices of Lawyers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 77344423Q0030

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1300 CLINTON SQ, ROCHESTER, NY, 14604

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $84,500

Exercised Options: $84,500

Current Obligation: $84,500

Actual Outlays: $53,312

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline