DOE Awards $5.5M for Foia Litigation Support to Wits Solutions Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,544,286 ($5.5M)
Contractor: Wits Solutions Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-12-19
End Date: 2026-12-18
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FOIA LITIGATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), OFFICE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
Place of Performance
Location: ASHBURN, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20147
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $5.5 million to WITS SOLUTIONS INC. for work described as: FOIA LITIGATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), OFFICE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential FOIA litigation and support services to the DOE. 2. WITS SOLUTIONS INC. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract value is $5.5M over three years, requiring careful cost analysis. 4. Services fall under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a broad category.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $5.5M over three years averages approximately $1.85M annually. Benchmarking against similar FOIA support contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the annual spend appears moderate for specialized legal support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This method may restrict price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for legal support services. The limited competition raises concerns about whether the best possible price was achieved.
Public Impact
Ensures compliance with Freedom of Information Act requests for the Department of Energy. Supports the Office of Public Administration in managing legal and administrative processes. Potential for improved efficiency in handling public information requests.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may impact cost-effectiveness.
- Lack of detailed service scope makes direct benchmarking difficult.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical compliance need for the DOE.
- Provides continuity of essential support services.
Sector Analysis
The Department of Energy requires specialized legal and administrative support for its public information obligations. Spending in this area is crucial for transparency and compliance, with benchmarks varying based on agency size and litigation volume.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in the competition or subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure WITS SOLUTIONS INC. delivers effective FOIA litigation support and that the Department of Energy manages the contract efficiently, particularly given the limited competition.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises cost concerns.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to limited competition.
- Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value.
- Scope of services requires detailed scrutiny for cost justification.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-energy, va, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $5.5 million to WITS SOLUTIONS INC.. FOIA LITIGATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), OFFICE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WITS SOLUTIONS INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-12-19. End: 2026-12-18.
What specific services are included under 'FOIA Litigation and Support Services' to justify the $5.5M contract value?
The contract likely encompasses legal research, document review, drafting responses, litigation support, and potentially administrative assistance related to FOIA requests and legal challenges. A detailed statement of work would clarify the exact services, which are essential for assessing value for money and ensuring the $5.5M award is justified by the scope and complexity of the support required by the DOE.
How was the exclusion of sources justified, and what was the rationale for limiting competition?
The justification for excluding sources and limiting competition needs to be thoroughly reviewed. Typically, such decisions are based on specific technical requirements, urgent needs, or unique capabilities. Understanding this rationale is critical for assessing whether the limited competition was appropriate and if it potentially led to a higher price than could have been achieved through broader competition.
What metrics will be used to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of WITS SOLUTIONS INC.'s support?
Effectiveness and efficiency can be measured through metrics such as response times to FOIA requests, accuracy of legal analysis, successful resolution of litigation, and client satisfaction from the DOE's Office of Public Administration. Establishing clear performance standards and tracking these metrics will be vital for ensuring the $5.5M investment yields the desired outcomes and provides good value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 89303023RMA000053
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 44790 MAYNARD SQ STE 340, ASHBURN, VA, 20147
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,775,164
Exercised Options: $7,550,645
Current Obligation: $5,544,286
Actual Outlays: $4,770,190
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D8193
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-12-19
Current End Date: 2026-12-18
Potential End Date: 2026-12-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-14
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