DOJ's FBI awards $16.6M contract for forfeiture investigation services to BearingPoint, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,569,000 ($16.6M)

Contractor: Bearingpoint, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2010-01-01

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 272 days

Daily Burn Rate: $60.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FORFEITURE INVESTIGATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MC LEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $16.6 million to BEARINGPOINT, INC. for work described as: FORFEITURE INVESTIGATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 2. The contract duration of 272 days for a fixed price indicates a defined scope of work. 3. The award to a single contractor, BearingPoint, Inc., warrants scrutiny for potential future competition. 4. The services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting, a broad category. 5. The contract's value is moderate within the context of federal consulting services. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating the primary contractor is not a small business.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $16.6 million for approximately 9 months of service appears reasonable for specialized forfeiture investigation support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for investigative consulting services would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Given the fixed-price nature, the FBI has a defined cost, but the efficiency and effectiveness of the services rendered by BearingPoint, Inc. will ultimately determine the true value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing. The fact that it was competed openly suggests that the FBI sought the best value from the market, rather than relying on a pre-existing relationship or limited options.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces, ensuring that the government is not overpaying for necessary services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which receives support for its forfeiture investigations. Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting, crucial for the efficient operation of forfeiture programs. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting FBI operations across various field offices. Workforce implications may involve specialized consultants augmenting FBI investigative teams.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for vendor lock-in if BearingPoint, Inc. becomes indispensable for these services.
  • Risk of scope creep if the defined deliverables are not strictly managed.
  • Dependence on a single contractor for critical investigative support.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market validation.
  • Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
  • Defined contract duration suggests a clear project timeline.

Sector Analysis

The federal consulting services market is substantial, with agencies frequently outsourcing specialized expertise. This contract for forfeiture investigation services fits within the broader administrative and management consulting sector. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar investigative support contracts within law enforcement agencies would provide further context on the scale of this award.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the most capable large business contractor for these specialized services, rather than specifically promoting small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the FBI contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract structure, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed performance metrics and oversight reports are generally not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

  • Federal Law Enforcement Support Services
  • Investigative Consulting Contracts
  • Department of Justice Administrative Services
  • Asset Forfeiture Program Support

Risk Flags

  • Contract awarded to a single vendor.
  • Potential for vendor lock-in.
  • Scope definition and management critical for fixed-price contract.

Tags

consulting-services, administrative-management, general-management, forfeiture-investigation, department-of-justice, federal-bureau-of-investigation, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, bearingpoint-inc, moderate-value, management-consulting, law-enforcement-support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $16.6 million to BEARINGPOINT, INC.. FORFEITURE INVESTIGATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BEARINGPOINT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-01-01. End: 2010-09-30.

What is BearingPoint, Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly with the FBI or DOJ?

BearingPoint, Inc. has a history of contracting with various U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the FBI. Their engagements often span areas such as IT modernization, management consulting, and financial services. Analyzing past performance reviews and contract history with these agencies can provide insights into their reliability, quality of service, and ability to meet complex requirements. Specific to forfeiture investigation services, a review of prior contracts would reveal their experience and success in this niche area, helping to assess their suitability for this particular award.

How does the $16.6 million contract value compare to similar forfeiture investigation services contracts awarded by the FBI or other agencies?

To benchmark the $16.6 million contract value, one would need to compare it against similar contracts for forfeiture investigation services or related investigative consulting provided to federal law enforcement agencies. Factors such as contract duration, scope of services (e.g., data analysis, forensic accounting, case support), and the specific agency awarding the contract are crucial for a meaningful comparison. If this contract is for a similar duration and scope as other awards, its value can be assessed as competitive or high. Without direct comparable data, it's challenging to definitively state if it represents excellent or fair value, but it falls within a moderate range for specialized federal consulting.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the FBI, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for the FBI include potential underperformance by BearingPoint, Inc., leading to delays or inefficiencies in forfeiture investigations. Another risk is the potential for cost overruns if the fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen complexities, though this is mitigated by the fixed-price structure itself. Scope creep, where the project expands beyond its original definition, is also a risk, managed through clear contract terms and vigilant oversight. Dependence on a single contractor could be a long-term risk, potentially mitigated by fostering competition for future contract renewals or developing internal capabilities.

What is the expected effectiveness of BearingPoint, Inc.'s services in supporting the FBI's forfeiture investigations?

The expected effectiveness hinges on BearingPoint, Inc.'s expertise in administrative management and general management consulting as applied to forfeiture investigations. These services likely aim to streamline investigative processes, improve data analysis, enhance case management, and potentially provide strategic advice on optimizing forfeiture operations. The FBI's selection of BearingPoint, Inc. through full and open competition suggests they were deemed capable of delivering effective support. Success will be measured by the FBI's internal performance metrics related to the efficiency and outcomes of forfeiture investigations where these services are utilized.

What has been the historical spending pattern for forfeiture investigation services by the FBI or DOJ over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for forfeiture investigation services by the FBI and DOJ over the past five years would reveal trends in demand and investment in this area. This data could show whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether contracts have been awarded to a variety of vendors or primarily to a few key players. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current $16.6 million award, indicating if it represents a typical investment or a significant shift in resource allocation for forfeiture support services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesManagement, Scientific, and Technical Consulting ServicesAdministrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&DSPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1676 INTERNATIONAL DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,569,000

Exercised Options: $16,569,000

Current Obligation: $16,569,000

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ08C1657

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-01-01

Current End Date: 2010-09-30

Potential End Date: 2010-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2015-05-29

More Contracts from Bearingpoint, Inc.

View all Bearingpoint, Inc. federal contracts →

Other Department of Justice Contracts

View all Department of Justice contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending