FTC awards $3.3M contract for expert services to The Brattle Group Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,287,698 ($3.3M)

Contractor: THE Brattle Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Federal Trade Commission

Start Date: 2022-05-06

End Date: 2027-05-05

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02108

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Trade Commission obligated $3.3 million to THE BRATTLE GROUP INC for work described as: EXPERT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for expert services, indicating a need for specialized knowledge. 2. The Brattle Group Inc. is the selected contractor, suggesting a competitive selection process. 3. Contract duration of 5 years suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. Time and Materials pricing structure may lead to cost variability. 5. The contract falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services', a broad category. 6. Awarded by the Federal Trade Commission, focusing on regulatory and economic analysis. 7. The contract value is relatively modest for federal consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.3 million over five years averages to $660,000 annually. This is a moderate amount for specialized expert services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for high-level economic consulting would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the competitive nature of the award, it suggests a reasonable market price was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This indicates that while full and open competition was intended, specific sources were excluded, potentially due to prior performance or specialized capabilities. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'limited' competition suggests fewer than a broad solicitation, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition may result in slightly higher prices for taxpayers compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition, as the pool of potential bidders is narrowed.

Public Impact

The Federal Trade Commission benefits from specialized expertise to support its mission. Services likely involve economic analysis, litigation support, or policy development. The geographic impact is national, supporting the FTC's nationwide regulatory functions. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a service contract rather than direct hiring.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The 'limited' competition aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing.
The specific nature of 'expert services' can be broad, requiring clear performance metrics.

Positive Signals

Award to a known entity like The Brattle Group suggests a level of confidence in their capabilities.
The FTC's use of competitive processes, even if limited, indicates an effort towards responsible procurement.
A five-year contract term provides stability for critical expert support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically consulting. This sector is a significant part of federal spending, supporting agencies across all domains. The market for economic and technical consulting is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The FTC's spending here is consistent with its need for objective analysis in complex regulatory and antitrust matters.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The Brattle Group Inc. is a large business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Federal Trade Commission. Performance metrics and deliverables should be clearly defined in the contract to ensure accountability. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific task orders may contain proprietary information.

Related Government Programs

Federal Consulting Services
Economic Analysis Contracts
Expert Witness Services
Regulatory Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Limited competition may impact price discovery.
Need for clear performance metrics and oversight due to the nature of expert services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Trade Commission awarded $3.3 million to THE BRATTLE GROUP INC. EXPERT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BRATTLE GROUP INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Trade Commission (Federal Trade Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-06. End: 2027-05-05.

What is the specific expertise The Brattle Group Inc. will provide under this contract?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541690, 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.' While the specific details of the services are not fully elaborated in the provided data, The Brattle Group is known for its expertise in economic consulting, litigation support, and regulatory analysis. Therefore, it is highly probable that this contract will involve providing expert economic analysis, testimony, or strategic advice to the Federal Trade Commission in areas such as antitrust, competition policy, consumer protection, or economic impact assessments related to FTC investigations and enforcement actions.

How does the $3.3 million contract value compare to similar expert service contracts at the FTC?

Without access to a comprehensive database of FTC contracts for similar expert services, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $3.3 million over five years ($660,000 annually) is a moderate sum for specialized consulting. Larger, more complex litigation or policy initiatives might command higher values. The FTC frequently engages consulting firms for economic and legal expertise, and this award appears to be within a typical range for sustained, high-level advisory support, rather than a massive, one-off project.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for expert services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially for expert services, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if the project takes longer than anticipated, costs can escalate beyond initial projections. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent monitoring of labor hours and expenses are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' imply for this contract?

This contract type suggests that the Federal Trade Commission initially intended to compete the requirement broadly ('Full and Open Competition'). However, specific sources were later excluded from consideration. This exclusion could be due to various reasons, such as prior unsatisfactory performance by certain contractors, the need for highly specialized and unique capabilities possessed by only a few firms, or specific statutory requirements. While it aims for competition, the exclusion narrows the field, potentially impacting the number of bids received and the final price compared to a completely unrestricted competition.

What is The Brattle Group Inc.'s track record with federal contracts?

The Brattle Group Inc. is a well-established economic consulting firm that has a history of securing federal contracts. While the provided data only shows this specific award, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases would reveal numerous other contracts awarded to The Brattle Group by various federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Federal Communications Commission, and others. Their consistent engagement by government entities suggests a generally positive track record and recognized expertise in areas relevant to federal agency needs, particularly in economic analysis and litigation support.

How does the duration of this contract (1825 days) impact its significance?

A contract duration of 1825 days, equivalent to five years, signifies a long-term, strategic need for the services being procured. For the Federal Trade Commission, this suggests that the expert services required are not for a short-term project but are integral to ongoing operations, potentially involving complex, multi-year investigations, policy development, or litigation support. Such a duration allows for continuity of service and the development of a deeper working relationship between the agency and the contractor, but also necessitates robust performance management over the extended period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: RFQ-FTC-1000-22-EW-0027

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 BEACON ST, BOSTON, MA, 02108

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,287,698

Exercised Options: $3,287,698

Current Obligation: $3,287,698

Actual Outlays: $3,215,144

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline