Justice Support Program contract awarded for over $20.4 million to National Center for State Courts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,442,905 ($20.4M)

Contractor: National Center for State Courts

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2007-06-18

End Date: 2011-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,443 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO IMPLEMENT THE JUSTICE SUPPORT PROGRAM.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $20.4 million to NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO IMPLEMENT THE JUSTICE SUPPORT PROGRAM. Key points: 1. The contract aims to implement the Justice Support Program, indicating a focus on enhancing judicial systems. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad search for qualified contractors. 3. The contract duration of approximately 4 years (1443 days) allows for substantial program implementation. 4. The contractor, National Center for State Courts, likely possesses specialized expertise in judicial support. 5. The 'All Other Information Services' NAICS code suggests a broad scope of potential services delivered. 6. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed effectively.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of over $20.4 million for a 4-year program implementation is substantial. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data for similar justice support programs, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials contract type introduces inherent risk for cost overruns if not closely monitored, potentially impacting the overall value. Benchmarking against similar initiatives would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the agency sought proposals from all responsible sources. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While full and open competition is generally preferred for ensuring fair pricing and access to the best solutions, the number of bidders can influence the intensity of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings. A moderate number of bidders suggests that while competition was present, there might be opportunities for even broader engagement in future procurements to maximize taxpayer value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely entities involved in the justice system, potentially including courts, law enforcement agencies, or judicial support organizations. The services delivered are expected to support and enhance the functioning of justice programs. The geographic impact is not specified but could be national or international depending on the scope of the Agency for International Development's programs. Workforce implications could involve the deployment of information services professionals and subject matter experts in the judicial field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The broad NAICS code 'All Other Information Services' may indicate a less defined scope, increasing execution risk.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess program effectiveness and contractor performance.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust procurement process.
The contractor, National Center for State Courts, is likely a specialized and experienced entity in this domain.
The contract duration allows for sustained effort in implementing the Justice Support Program.

Sector Analysis

The Information Services sector encompasses a wide range of activities, including data processing, hosting, and other information-based services. This contract, falling under NAICS code 519190 (All Other Information Services), suggests a service that doesn't fit neatly into more specific categories. The market for such services is vast, with numerous providers ranging from large IT corporations to specialized consulting firms. The contract's value of over $20 million positions it as a significant award within its niche.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and there is no information on subcontracting (st: ''). This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific contract is likely minimal unless the prime contractor engages in significant small business subcontracting, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the Agency for International Development's contracting officers and program managers. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The extent of Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the specific nature of the services and the agency's internal policies. Further details on specific oversight plans would be needed for a comprehensive assessment.

Related Government Programs

Justice System Improvement Programs
Information Technology Services
Government Consulting Services
International Development Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of defined performance metrics makes success evaluation difficult.
Broad NAICS code may indicate an undefined or evolving scope of work.
Limited information on small business subcontracting impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $20.4 million to NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO IMPLEMENT THE JUSTICE SUPPORT PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Agency for International Development (Agency for International Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-06-18. End: 2011-05-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'Justice Support Program' being implemented under this contract?

The provided data indicates the purpose of this award is to 'implement the Justice Support Program.' However, the specific details of what this program entails are not elaborated upon. Typically, such programs aim to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness of judicial systems. This could involve areas like case management modernization, judicial training, legal aid support, or the implementation of new technologies within courts and related justice institutions. Further documentation or program descriptions would be necessary to understand the precise scope and objectives of the Justice Support Program.

How does the $20.4 million contract value compare to similar justice support initiatives by the Agency for International Development or other agencies?

A direct comparison of the $20.4 million contract value to similar justice support initiatives is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. The Agency for International Development (USAID) often funds programs in developing countries, and the scale of such projects can vary significantly based on the target region, the scope of reforms, and the duration of the initiative. Generally, a contract of this magnitude suggests a significant, multi-year effort. Benchmarking would require identifying contracts with similar objectives (e.g., judicial reform, legal system strengthening) and similar geographic or programmatic scopes, which are not detailed in the provided data.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this Justice Support Program?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics for evaluating the success of the Justice Support Program. In the absence of this information, it is difficult to objectively assess the program's effectiveness or the contractor's performance. Typically, successful justice support programs would have measurable goals related to case processing times, public trust in the judiciary, access to justice, reduction in case backlogs, or the successful implementation of new legal frameworks or technologies. The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the establishment and monitoring of such relevant KPIs.

What is the track record of the National Center for State Courts in managing large-scale government contracts, particularly those involving international components?

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) is a well-established non-profit organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice. While they have extensive experience in domestic judicial improvement projects, their track record with large-scale government contracts, especially those with international components managed by agencies like USAID, would need specific investigation. Their expertise is generally recognized in judicial administration and policy. Assessing their performance on this specific contract would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any publicly available reports on their project execution, particularly concerning adherence to budget, timelines, and program objectives.

Given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, what measures are in place to control costs and prevent scope creep?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, by their nature, carry a higher risk of cost overruns and scope creep compared to fixed-price contracts. For this contract, effective cost control would rely heavily on robust oversight by the Agency for International Development. This includes diligent monitoring of labor hours, material costs, and adherence to the defined scope of work. Mechanisms such as establishing ceiling prices, requiring detailed progress reports, conducting regular reviews of expenditures against milestones, and having clear procedures for approving any changes to the scope are crucial. The effectiveness of these measures depends on the agency's contract management capacity and the contractor's commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 NEWPORT AVE, WILLIAMSBURG, VA, 23185

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $120,283,294

Exercised Options: $120,283,294

Current Obligation: $20,442,905

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDDFDI000400176

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline