DOJ's $17M FBI Asset Forfeiture Program Support contract awarded to BearingPoint, Inc. for consulting services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,980,555 ($17.0M)

Contractor: Bearingpoint, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2009-09-28

End Date: 2014-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,828 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ASSET FORFEITURE PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR FBI

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $17.0 million to BEARINGPOINT, INC. for work described as: ASSET FORFEITURE PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR FBI Key points: 1. The contract provided administrative management and general management consulting services, supporting the FBI's asset forfeiture program. 2. Awarded in 2009 and ending in 2014, the contract spanned five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. The total value of $16.98 million suggests a significant investment in program support. 4. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 5. The services provided are crucial for the effective operation of the FBI's asset forfeiture initiatives. 6. The geographic location of performance was Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of approximately $17 million over five years for consulting services appears substantial. Without specific performance metrics or detailed deliverables, it's challenging to benchmark the value for money definitively. However, the duration suggests a consistent need and potentially a stable, albeit high, cost for ongoing support. Comparison to similar contracts for program support within law enforcement agencies would be necessary for a more precise assessment of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning that only one vendor, BearingPoint, Inc., was considered. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically solicits proposals from multiple interested parties. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities or urgent needs), they generally limit price discovery and may not result in the most cost-effective outcome for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the absence of competition reduces the incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. It also limits opportunities for other qualified businesses to compete for government work.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) benefits directly through enhanced support for its asset forfeiture program. Services delivered likely include program management, administrative support, and consulting to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of asset forfeiture operations. The geographic impact is primarily within Washington D.C., where the contract was performed. The contract supports the government's efforts to seize and forfeit assets derived from criminal activity, contributing to law enforcement objectives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and taxpayer value.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value-for-money assessment difficult.
Long contract duration without clear competition raises concerns about sustained cost-effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Contract supported a critical law enforcement function (asset forfeiture).
Award to a single, established vendor may indicate specialized expertise required.
Consistent funding over five years suggests a stable and necessary program.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services to support a wide array of programs and operations. Benchmarking would involve comparing the cost and scope of this contract to other federal contracts for similar program support or management consulting services, particularly those supporting law enforcement or investigative agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans. As a sole-source award to a large contractor (BearingPoint, Inc.), it is less likely to have direct positive implications for the small business ecosystem unless BearingPoint engaged in significant small business subcontracting, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the Department of Justice, who monitors performance and ensures compliance with contract terms. Accountability is established through contractual obligations and performance reviews. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

FBI Operations Support
Department of Justice Consulting Services
Asset Forfeiture Funds Management
Federal Law Enforcement Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of detailed performance metrics
Potential for cost overruns with labor-hour contracts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $17.0 million to BEARINGPOINT, INC.. ASSET FORFEITURE PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR FBI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BEARINGPOINT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-28. End: 2014-09-30.

What was the specific nature of the 'Asset Forfeiture Program Support' provided by BearingPoint, Inc.?

The contract data indicates the service category was 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611). This suggests BearingPoint provided expertise in areas such as program management, operational efficiency, process improvement, and potentially financial or administrative support related to the FBI's asset forfeiture program. This could involve advising on best practices for managing seized assets, streamlining forfeiture procedures, or supporting the administrative functions associated with these complex legal and operational processes. The 'Labor Hours' contract type implies that payment was based on the time and effort expended by BearingPoint personnel.

How does the $16.98 million contract value compare to similar FBI or DOJ program support contracts?

Benchmarking this $16.98 million contract value requires comparison with similar contracts for program support or management consulting services within the FBI or broader DOJ. Contracts for administrative support, operational consulting, or program management for law enforcement agencies can vary widely in cost depending on scope, duration, and complexity. Without access to a database of comparable contracts, it's difficult to provide a precise comparison. However, for a five-year engagement (2009-2014), this value averages roughly $3.4 million per year, which is a significant but not necessarily outlier amount for specialized consulting services supporting a major federal agency's critical functions like asset forfeiture.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of service?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for reduced value for money due to the lack of competition. Without competing bids, the government may pay a higher price than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract. There's also a risk that the chosen vendor may not possess the absolute best or most innovative solutions available in the market, as alternatives were not formally explored. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes raise perceptions of favoritism or lack of transparency, potentially impacting public trust and contractor morale if not adequately justified and documented.

What was BearingPoint, Inc.'s track record with the federal government prior to or during this contract?

BearingPoint, Inc. has historically been a significant federal contractor. Prior to and during the period of this contract (2009-2014), the company held numerous other federal awards across various agencies, providing a range of consulting and IT services. Their track record would typically be assessed based on past performance evaluations, on-time delivery, quality of services, and adherence to contract terms in previous engagements. A sole-source award often implies that the agency had confidence in the contractor's existing capabilities and past performance, or that the circumstances necessitated awarding to a known entity.

How has federal spending on asset forfeiture program support evolved since this contract ended in 2014?

Federal spending on asset forfeiture program support has likely evolved significantly since 2014, influenced by changes in law enforcement priorities, legislative reforms (such as the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act), and shifts in agency budgets. Post-2014, there has been increased scrutiny on asset forfeiture programs nationwide, leading to potential reforms in how these programs are managed and funded. Spending patterns may have shifted towards more technology-driven solutions, data analytics for tracking forfeited assets, and enhanced compliance and oversight mechanisms. Detailed analysis would require examining subsequent contract awards and budget allocations for similar support services across agencies like the FBI and DOJ.

What are the implications of the 'Labor Hours' contract type for cost control and oversight?

The 'Labor Hours' contract type means the government pays for the direct labor hours expended by the contractor at specified hourly rates, plus applicable overhead, travel, and other direct costs. This type of contract is often used when the scope of work cannot be clearly defined at the outset or is expected to evolve. For cost control, it necessitates rigorous oversight of the hours charged and the labor categories used. The government must ensure that the hours are reasonable and necessary for the work performed. Potential risks include 'scope creep' where hours are extended unnecessarily, and the contractor may have less incentive to be efficient compared to a fixed-price contract. Effective oversight by the COR is crucial.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

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: $16,980,555

Exercised Options: $16,980,555

Current Obligation: $16,980,555

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ08C1657

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline