Indiana Foreclosure Legal Services Contract Awarded to Nelson & Frankenberger for $1.72M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $172,100 ($172.1K)

Contractor: Nelson & Frankenberger, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2018-05-22

End Date: 2027-05-01

Contract Duration: 3,266 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: FORECLOSURE LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA, CSC, ST. LOUIS MO

Place of Performance

Location: CARMEL, HAMILTON County, INDIANA, 46032

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $172,100 to NELSON & FRANKENBERGER, LLC for work described as: FORECLOSURE LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA, CSC, ST. LOUIS MO Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single firm for legal services. 2. Fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment may expose taxpayers to inflation risk. 3. Competition method is unclear, potentially impacting price discovery. 4. Small business participation is not indicated.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $1.72M over nearly 9 years is difficult to assess without specific service details. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure introduces potential for cost overruns due to inflation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The award was made under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), and the competition method is listed as 'COMPETED UNDER SAP'. It is unclear if this involved multiple bids or was a limited competition, which could affect the price achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment, especially over a long duration, could lead to higher costs for taxpayers if inflation outpaces projections.

Public Impact

Ensures legal representation for foreclosures, potentially protecting state housing programs. Long-term contract may provide stability but limits flexibility for future needs. Economic price adjustment clause could increase costs for Indiana residents.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 53 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of clarity on competition method
Economic price adjustment increases risk
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Provides essential legal services
Potential for stable service delivery

Sector Analysis

Legal services for government agencies are a niche but essential sector. Benchmarks for such contracts are highly variable based on scope and duration, making direct comparison difficult without more detail.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). This contract did not appear to prioritize or set aside opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which typically have less stringent oversight than larger procurements. Further review of the procurement file would be needed to assess accountability.

Related Government Programs

Offices of Lawyers
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Rural Housing Service Programs

Risk Flags

Unclear competition method
Economic price adjustment risk
Long contract duration
Lack of small business consideration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $172,100 to NELSON & FRANKENBERGER, LLC. FORECLOSURE LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA, CSC, ST. LOUIS MO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NELSON & FRANKENBERGER, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Rural Housing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $172,100.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-05-22. End: 2027-05-01.

What was the specific competitive process used under SAP, and how did it ensure fair market pricing?

The documentation states 'COMPETED UNDER SAP,' but lacks details on the number of bids received or the evaluation criteria. Without this information, it's impossible to confirm if the competition effectively drove down costs or if the pricing reflects a fair market value for the services rendered.

What is the projected impact of the economic price adjustment clause over the contract's duration?

The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause allows for increases in contract price based on inflation indices. Over a contract duration extending to May 2027, significant inflation could substantially increase the total cost beyond the initial $1.72M estimate, potentially impacting the budget allocated for these legal services.

How does the cost of these legal services compare to similar contracts in other states or for different agencies?

A direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific legal tasks covered, hourly rates, or case volumes. However, the long duration and EPA clause suggest a potential for higher overall expenditure compared to contracts with fixed pricing or shorter terms, warranting scrutiny.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › Offices of Lawyers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 550 CONGRESSIONAL BLVD STE 210, CARMEL, IN, 46032

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $172,100

Exercised Options: $172,100

Current Obligation: $172,100

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1231ME18A0009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline