DOJ awards $1.57M to Blackfish Federal for Legal Services, sole-sourced
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,573,824 ($1.6M)
Contractor: Blackfish Federal, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2022-09-19
End Date: 2027-09-18
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $862/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONTRACTOR SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE County, FLORIDA, 33132
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $1.6 million to BLACKFISH FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: CONTRACTOR SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $1.57M for legal services. 2. Sole-source award to Blackfish Federal, LLC. 3. Potential risk due to lack of competition. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $1.57M for legal services is difficult to benchmark without specific task details. However, the lack of competition raises concerns about whether this represents a fair market price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source definitive contract. This significantly limits price discovery and competitive pressure.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these legal services.
Public Impact
Citizens may question the fairness of awarding contracts without competition. Transparency in sole-source contracts is crucial for public trust. The Department of Justice's need for specialized legal services is noted.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a specific entity for legal services.
Sector Analysis
Legal services contracts can vary widely in scope and cost. Benchmarking is challenging without understanding the specific nature of the 'All Other Legal Services' required by the Offices, Boards and Divisions.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses could have provided these services.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source award necessitates robust internal oversight within the Department of Justice to ensure the necessity and fair pricing of the services rendered.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Potential for inflated costs due to no competition.
- Limited transparency on service specifics and justification.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, fl, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $1.6 million to BLACKFISH FEDERAL, LLC. CONTRACTOR SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLACKFISH FEDERAL, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $1.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-19. End: 2027-09-18.
What specific legal services are being procured, and why were they deemed only available from Blackfish Federal, LLC?
The contract specifies 'All Other Legal Services' under NAICS code 541199. A sole-source justification would typically detail unique capabilities, proprietary knowledge, or an urgent need that only Blackfish Federal could meet. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess the necessity of this procurement method.
What is the estimated cost per labor hour, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar legal services?
The contract is awarded on a 'LABOR HOURS' basis, but the specific hourly rates are not provided in this data snippet. To assess value, these rates would need to be compared against established benchmarks for legal services of comparable complexity and expertise within the federal government and private sector.
What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the legal services provided under this sole-source contract?
Given the sole-source nature, strong performance monitoring and quality assurance protocols are essential. The Department of Justice should have clear deliverables, regular performance reviews, and mechanisms for addressing any deficiencies to ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › All Other Legal Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1750 TYSONS BLVD, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,036,676
Exercised Options: $2,036,676
Current Obligation: $1,573,824
Actual Outlays: $1,235,620
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-19
Current End Date: 2027-09-18
Potential End Date: 2027-09-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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