Florida Foreclosure Services Contract Awarded to EXL LEGAL, PLLC for $1.01M by USDA Rural Housing Service

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,010,625 ($1.0M)

Contractor: EXL Legal, PLLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2019-04-11

End Date: 2027-05-11

Contract Duration: 2,952 days

Daily Burn Rate: $342/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROCESSING OF FORECLOSURES AND RELATED SERVICES IN FLORIDA.

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT PETERSBURG, PINELLAS County, FLORIDA, 33716

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $1.0 million to EXL LEGAL, PLLC for work described as: PROCESSING OF FORECLOSURES AND RELATED SERVICES IN FLORIDA. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to EXL LEGAL, PLLC for processing foreclosures in Florida. 2. The contract has a total value of $1.01 million and runs until May 2027. 3. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', suggesting a streamlined process. 4. The sector is primarily legal services supporting agricultural and rural housing initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.01 million over nearly 5 years for foreclosure processing services in Florida appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar legal service contracts for government agencies is difficult without more specific service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically implies a less extensive competition than full and open. This method may limit price discovery compared to broader solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for legal services related to foreclosure processing, aiming to manage distressed rural housing assets.

Public Impact

Impacts individuals facing foreclosure in Florida who are beneficiaries of USDA Rural Housing Service programs. Ensures the government has legal support to manage foreclosed properties, potentially affecting rural communities. Supports the operational efficiency of the Rural Housing Service in its mission delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not yield the best price.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Potential for scope creep in legal services.

Positive Signals

Supports a critical government function for rural housing.
Contract duration provides stability for service delivery.
Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically legal services. Government spending on legal support for foreclosure and property management can vary significantly based on economic conditions and agency needs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to EXL LEGAL, PLLC, which is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine its size status and impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service contracting officers. Accountability for service delivery and adherence to contract terms is crucial for effective program management.

Related Government Programs

Offices of Lawyers
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Rural Housing Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition.
Lack of detailed service scope.
Potential for higher costs due to SAP.
No explicit small business set-aside.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $1.0 million to EXL LEGAL, PLLC. PROCESSING OF FORECLOSURES AND RELATED SERVICES IN FLORIDA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EXL LEGAL, PLLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-04-11. End: 2027-05-11.

What is the specific scope of 'related services' included in this foreclosure processing contract, and how does it compare to industry standards for similar legal work?

The provided data lacks specifics on 'related services' beyond general foreclosure processing. A comprehensive understanding requires reviewing the Statement of Work (SOW). Industry standards for legal services vary widely based on jurisdiction, complexity of cases, and specific tasks like title searches, eviction proceedings, and property disposition. Without a detailed SOW, a precise comparison is not feasible.

Given the limited competition under SAP, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the government is receiving fair market value for these legal services?

While SAP aims for efficiency, agencies should still conduct market research to establish fair market value. Mechanisms might include reviewing historical pricing, consulting pricing from similar contracts, or obtaining quotes from multiple sources even within the SAP framework. The agency's diligence in price negotiation and justification is key to ensuring value.

How effectively does this contract support the Rural Housing Service's mission to prevent foreclosures and maintain housing stability in rural areas?

This contract supports the mission by providing necessary legal services to manage foreclosures, which is a reactive measure. The effectiveness hinges on how efficiently and ethically EXL LEGAL, PLLC handles these cases. Proactive foreclosure prevention programs would be a separate, complementary effort, but efficient processing of unavoidable foreclosures is still vital for program integrity.

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: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12425 28TH ST N STE 200, SAINT PETERSBURG, FL, 33716

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,010,625

Exercised Options: $1,010,625

Current Obligation: $1,010,625

Actual Outlays: $268,884

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1231ME19A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline