Department of Energy contract for EEO Investigations awarded to The Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC for $14.35M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,350 ($14.4K)
Contractor: THE LAW Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2011-11-04
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 331 days
Daily Burn Rate: $43/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EEO INVESTIGATIONS AND EEO COUNSELOR
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20426
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $14,350.25 to THE LAW OFFICES OF STUART L. PLOTNICK, LLC for work described as: EEO INVESTIGATIONS AND EEO COUNSELOR Key points: 1. The contract value of $14.35M for EEO investigations and counselor services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized legal services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should have yielded fair market pricing. 3. The duration of the contract (331 days) is relatively short, which may indicate a need for ongoing or recurring services. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps to control costs for the government, as the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. 5. The services provided are critical for maintaining a fair and compliant workplace within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 6. The contract was awarded to a single entity, The Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC, indicating they were the most qualified bidder. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561611 suggests services related to investigation and personal background check services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $14.35 million for EEO investigations and counselor services is a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized legal and investigative services is challenging without more granular data on the scope and volume of investigations. However, given the specialized nature of EEO law and the need for experienced legal counsel, the price appears to be within a justifiable range for a firm fixed-price contract. The government sought competitive bids, which typically helps ensure reasonable pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition' procurement method. This indicates that the Department of Energy allowed all eligible and qualified businesses to submit bids. The fact that it was competed openly suggests that multiple bidders likely participated, fostering price discovery and potentially leading to a more competitive price for the government. The specific number of bids received (11) further supports the notion of a robust competitive environment.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to obtain the best value. The presence of multiple bidders generally drives down prices and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms.
Public Impact
Employees of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) benefit from a fair and impartial process for addressing EEO complaints. The contract ensures that the FERC has access to expert legal services for conducting thorough and timely EEO investigations. This service supports the agency's commitment to equal employment opportunity and a diverse workforce. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is located. The contract supports specialized legal professionals and investigators, contributing to employment in the legal services sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for contractor lock-in if services are consistently renewed with the same provider without re-competition.
- Reliance on a single firm for sensitive EEO investigations could raise concerns about impartiality if not managed with strong oversight.
- The fixed-price nature, while good for cost control, could incentivize the contractor to minimize effort if not carefully monitored.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that should yield good value.
- The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contractor, The Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC, is specialized in legal services, suggesting expertise in EEO matters.
- The contract specifies a clear scope of work for EEO investigations and counselor services.
Sector Analysis
The legal services sector, particularly those focused on compliance and human resources, is a critical support function for federal agencies. This contract falls under the broader category of professional, scientific, and technical services. The market for EEO investigation services is competitive, with numerous law firms and specialized consulting companies offering these expertise. Federal agencies often contract out these services to ensure specialized knowledge and to manage workload effectively, with spending in this area fluctuating based on agency needs and regulatory changes.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. The contractor, The Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC, is a law firm. Analysis of whether this firm qualifies as a small business is not provided in the data. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by defining the total cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential fraud, waste, or abuse identified within the contract's execution.
Related Government Programs
- Federal EEO Complaint Processing
- Legal Services for Federal Agencies
- Workplace Investigations
- Contracting for Professional Services
Risk Flags
- Contract Duration
- Single Source Award (Post-Competition)
- Potential for Service Disruption
Tags
eeo-investigations, legal-services, department-of-energy, federal-energy-regulatory-commission, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, district-of-columbia, investigation-and-personal-background-check-services, bpa-call, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $14,350.25 to THE LAW OFFICES OF STUART L. PLOTNICK, LLC. EEO INVESTIGATIONS AND EEO COUNSELOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE LAW OFFICES OF STUART L. PLOTNICK, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14,350.25.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-11-04. End: 2012-09-30.
What is the typical cost range for EEO investigations and counselor services for federal agencies of similar size and scope?
Determining a precise cost range for EEO investigations and counselor services is complex due to variations in case complexity, volume, and the specific expertise required. However, federal agencies often procure these services through task orders against indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or through competitive solicitations. Costs can range from several hundred dollars per hour for counselor services to several thousand dollars per investigation, depending on the depth of the inquiry, legal research, and report writing involved. The $14.35 million contract value for the Department of Energy, covering a period of approximately 10 months, suggests a substantial volume of work or particularly complex cases. Benchmarking requires comparing the number of investigations, the average complexity, and the hourly rates against similar contracts awarded by agencies like the EEOC or other large federal departments.
What is the track record of The Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC in handling federal EEO contracts?
Information regarding the specific track record of The Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC in handling federal EEO contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this $14.35 million contract by the Department of Energy, following a full and open competition with 11 bids, suggests that the firm was deemed qualified and competitive among its peers. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, any debriefings from previous solicitations, and potentially other federal contracts they may have held for similar services. The duration of this contract (331 days) indicates a significant engagement, implying a level of trust and capability demonstrated to the agency.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar legal and investigative services?
The provided data does not include specific pricing details such as hourly rates or the cost breakdown per investigation, making a direct comparison to industry benchmarks difficult. The contract is a firm fixed-price award, meaning the total cost is set. The value of $14.35 million for approximately 10 months of service suggests a substantial engagement. Industry benchmarks for legal and investigative services vary widely based on firm size, location, attorney experience, and the complexity of the cases. Given that this was awarded under full and open competition with 11 bidders, it implies that the pricing was considered competitive by the Department of Energy. A more thorough analysis would require access to the specific deliverables and associated costs within the contract.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for EEO investigations?
Relying on a single contractor for EEO investigations can present several risks. Firstly, there's a potential for a lack of diverse perspectives if the contractor's approach becomes standardized or biased over time. Secondly, if the contractor's performance falters or if they face unforeseen challenges (e.g., staffing issues, legal challenges), it could disrupt the agency's ability to conduct timely investigations, leading to backlogs and potential non-compliance. Thirdly, over-reliance can reduce the agency's leverage in future negotiations, as the contractor may become indispensable. Finally, maintaining impartiality and the appearance of impartiality is crucial in EEO matters; a long-term sole provider might, in some perceptions, raise questions about objectivity, necessitating robust oversight from the agency.
What is the historical spending pattern for EEO investigations and related services at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission?
The provided data focuses on a single contract awarded in 2011-2012. To understand historical spending patterns for EEO investigations and related services at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a broader analysis of federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) would be necessary. This would involve querying for contracts awarded by FERC under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541110 for law firms, 561611 for investigation services) related to EEO, HR investigations, or legal counsel over several fiscal years. Such an analysis would reveal trends in contract values, the number of awards, the types of services procured, and the contractors frequently utilized, providing context for the $14.35 million award.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Investigation and Personal Background Check Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,350
Exercised Options: $14,350
Current Obligation: $14,350
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FERC12A0059
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-11-04
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2013-03-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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