FTC Awards $8.7M Contract to Berkeley Research Group for Expert Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,765,935 ($8.8M)
Contractor: Berkeley Research Group, LLC
Awarding Agency: Federal Trade Commission
Start Date: 2023-04-12
End Date: 2027-03-29
Contract Duration: 1,447 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20580
Plain-Language Summary
Federal Trade Commission obligated $8.8 million to BERKELEY RESEARCH GROUP, LLC for work described as: EXPERT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Berkeley Research Group, LLC for "Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services". 2. The contract has a total value of $8,765,935 and a duration of 1447 days. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the FTC. 5. This falls under the broad category of expert services, often crucial for complex agency functions.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $8.7M for expert services over nearly four years appears reasonable given the scope of "Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services". Benchmarking against similar large-scale consulting contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders had the opportunity to compete. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the services rendered by the Federal Trade Commission.
Public Impact
Ensures the Federal Trade Commission has access to specialized expertise for its operations. Supports the agency's mission by providing critical consulting services. The competitive award process aims for efficient use of taxpayer funds. Potential for enhanced regulatory enforcement or policy development through expert analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 60 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in expert services contracts.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical expertise.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost predictability.
- Long-term duration allows for sustained support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional services, specifically consulting. The benchmark for such services varies widely based on the specific expertise required. The FTC's use of expert services is common for complex investigations and analysis.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Berkeley Research Group, LLC, a single entity. There is no explicit indication of small business subcontracting in the provided data, suggesting this contract may not directly benefit small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for overseeing this contract. The firm fixed price and competitive award suggest a degree of accountability in pricing and selection, but ongoing performance monitoring is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Federal Trade Commission Contracting
- Federal Trade Commission Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep
- Over-reliance on contractor expertise
- Quality assurance of consulting services
- Contract duration may exceed actual need
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, federal-trade-commission, dc, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Federal Trade Commission awarded $8.8 million to BERKELEY RESEARCH GROUP, LLC. EXPERT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BERKELEY RESEARCH GROUP, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Federal Trade Commission (Federal Trade Commission).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $8.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-04-12. End: 2027-03-29.
What specific types of expert services will Berkeley Research Group provide to the FTC?
The contract specifies "Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services." This broad category could encompass a wide range of support, such as economic analysis, data science, legal consulting, or specialized research relevant to the FTC's regulatory and enforcement activities. Further details on the statement of work would clarify the exact nature of the services.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the FTC?
Key risks include the potential for the scope of services to expand beyond the initial agreement (scope creep), leading to cost overruns despite the fixed-price structure. There's also a risk of over-reliance on the contractor's expertise, potentially limiting internal knowledge development. Ensuring the quality and relevance of the consulting services throughout the contract's duration is also a concern.
How does this contract contribute to the FTC's overall effectiveness?
This contract likely enhances the FTC's effectiveness by providing specialized knowledge and analytical capabilities that may not be available in-house. These expert services can support complex investigations, inform policy decisions, and strengthen the agency's ability to enforce consumer protection and antitrust laws, ultimately serving the public interest.
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
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2200 POWELL ST STE 1200, EMERYVILLE, CA, 94608
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,765,935
Exercised Options: $8,765,935
Current Obligation: $8,765,935
Actual Outlays: $8,273,892
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-04-12
Current End Date: 2027-03-29
Potential End Date: 2028-03-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-29
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