DOJ's $23.8M FBI Asset Forfeiture Program Support contract awarded to BearingPoint, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,834,000 ($23.8M)

Contractor: Bearingpoint, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2011-09-30

End Date: 2014-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

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, 20530, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $23.8 million to BEARINGPOINT, INC. for work described as: ASSET FORFEITURE PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR FBI Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should have driven favorable pricing. 3. The contract duration of nearly three years indicates a sustained need for these support services. 4. The services provided fall under a broad consulting category, making direct performance benchmarking challenging without more specific deliverables. 5. This contract supports a critical function within the Department of Justice, aiding in asset forfeiture processes. 6. The award was made to a single contractor, BearingPoint, Inc., indicating their success in the competitive bid.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $23.8 million over approximately three years averages to about $7.9 million annually. This figure seems within a reasonable range for comprehensive administrative and management consulting services supporting a federal agency's specialized programs. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program support within the Department of Justice or other law enforcement agencies would provide a more precise value assessment, but the initial figures do not raise immediate red flags regarding overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This method typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and service proposals. The presence of four bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of support service.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a more efficient allocation of resources and potentially lower costs through competitive pressures.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) benefits directly from enhanced administrative and management support for its asset forfeiture program. Services delivered include crucial support for the complex processes involved in managing and processing forfeited assets. The geographic impact is national, as the FBI operates nationwide, and asset forfeiture activities can occur in any jurisdiction. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized consultants to augment federal staff, improving program efficiency and effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The specific deliverables and performance metrics are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the contractor's performance against clear objectives.
Reliance on external consultants for core program support could raise questions about long-term institutional capacity building.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a structured procurement process designed to secure competitive pricing.
The contract duration indicates a recognized and ongoing need for the services provided.
The award to BearingPoint, Inc. suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience for this specialized support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized firms offering expertise to government agencies. The market size for federal consulting services is substantial, with agencies frequently outsourcing specialized functions to leverage external expertise and manage fluctuating workloads. This contract represents a portion of the broader federal spending on consulting to support law enforcement and investigative functions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless BearingPoint, Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors. Further review of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of Justice, likely managed by the specific program office overseeing asset forfeiture and the contracting officer's representative. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Asset Forfeiture Program
FBI Operations Support
Department of Justice Consulting Services
Law Enforcement Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Contractor performance variability
Data security and confidentiality concerns
Over-reliance on external consultants

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $23.8 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 $23.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-30. End: 2014-09-30.

What specific services did BearingPoint, Inc. provide under this contract?

While the contract is broadly categorized under 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611), the specific deliverables for the FBI's Asset Forfeiture Program are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such support could include program analysis, process improvement, data management, policy development, financial analysis related to forfeited assets, and general administrative support to ensure the efficient operation of the asset forfeiture program. The exact scope would be defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

How does the $23.8 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for program support?

Comparing the $23.8 million value requires context regarding the contract's duration (1096 days, approximately 3 years) and the specific nature of the support. Averaging roughly $7.9 million per year, this figure appears moderate for comprehensive consulting services supporting a major federal program like asset forfeiture. Similar contracts within the Department of Justice or other law enforcement agencies for program management, administrative support, or specialized consulting can range significantly, from a few million to tens of millions annually, depending on the agency's size, program complexity, and the scope of services required. Without direct comparisons of contracts with identical scopes, it's difficult to definitively benchmark, but the value does not appear excessively high for the duration.

What are the key risks associated with this type of contract?

Key risks include potential scope creep, where the services required expand beyond the original agreement, leading to cost overruns. There's also a risk of contractor performance not meeting expectations, impacting the efficiency of the asset forfeiture program. Over-reliance on external consultants could lead to a loss of institutional knowledge within the agency. Furthermore, data security and confidentiality are critical risks, given the sensitive nature of asset forfeiture information. Ensuring compliance with all federal regulations and policies is also an ongoing risk.

What is BearingPoint, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Justice?

BearingPoint, Inc. has a significant history of performing federal contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Justice. Their experience often spans areas like management consulting, IT services, and financial management. While this specific contract was for asset forfeiture program support, their broader federal contracting history suggests they possess the general capabilities required for such engagements. A deeper dive into their past performance ratings, any past performance issues, and the types of contracts they have held with DOJ would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

How has federal spending on asset forfeiture program support evolved over time?

Federal spending on asset forfeiture program support has likely fluctuated based on legislative changes, enforcement priorities, and the volume of assets seized. Historically, asset forfeiture programs have been a significant tool for law enforcement, and the need for administrative and analytical support has grown with the complexity of these operations. While specific historical spending trends for this particular contract or category are not provided, overall federal spending on law enforcement support services has generally increased over the years, reflecting the expanding scope and demands placed on agencies like the FBI.

What are the potential performance metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract?

Performance metrics for this contract would likely focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of the asset forfeiture program's administrative functions. Potential metrics could include the timeliness of processing forfeiture cases, accuracy of asset tracking and inventory, adherence to budget, successful implementation of process improvements, and overall client satisfaction from the FBI program managers. The contract's Statement of Work (SOW) would detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and acceptable performance levels.

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

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: $23,834,000

Exercised Options: $23,834,000

Current Obligation: $23,834,000

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ08C1657

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline