FTC Awards $2.55M Contract to The Brattle Group for Expert Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,550,000 ($2.5M)
Contractor: THE Brattle Group Inc
Awarding Agency: Federal Trade Commission
Start Date: 2025-09-26
End Date: 2026-09-25
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
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 $2.5 million to THE BRATTLE GROUP INC for work described as: EXPERT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to The Brattle Group Inc. for $2.55 million. 2. Services fall under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'. 3. Contract is for a duration of 364 days. 4. Awarded by the Federal Trade Commission. 5. Competition method was 'Competed Under SAP'.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. Benchmarking against similar expert service contracts is difficult without more detailed scope information.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'Competed Under SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it was likely competed among a limited number of vendors. This method may not achieve the best possible price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding expert consulting services, the value of which depends on the necessity and effectiveness of the services provided.
Public Impact
Federal agency utilizes external expertise for specialized consulting needs. Contract duration of nearly a year indicates ongoing support requirements. The specific nature of 'expert services' impacts public understanding of the spending.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 70 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost creep with Time and Materials contract.
- Limited competition may impact price efficiency.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a known entity (The Brattle Group).
- Clear contract end date.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically technical consulting. Spending in this area can vary widely based on agency needs for specialized knowledge not available internally. Benchmarks are hard to establish without specific service details.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, The Brattle Group Inc., is a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight procedures for Time and Materials contracts should be in place to monitor costs and performance.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Federal Trade Commission Contracting
- Federal Trade Commission Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type.
- Limited competition.
- Lack of detailed scope of work.
- Potential for cost overruns.
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 $2.5 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 $2.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-26. End: 2026-09-25.
What is the specific nature of the 'expert services' being procured, and how do they align with the FTC's mission?
The specific nature of the 'expert services' is not detailed in the provided data. These services likely relate to economic analysis, litigation support, or policy development, aligning with the FTC's mandate to protect consumers and promote competition. Understanding the precise deliverables would clarify their alignment and value.
What are the risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for expert services, and how are they mitigated?
Time and Materials contracts carry risks of cost overruns if the scope is not well-defined or if labor hours are not efficiently managed. Mitigation strategies include establishing strong oversight, setting cost ceilings, requiring detailed timesheets, and ensuring the contractor's personnel are highly productive and their rates are competitive.
How does the limited competition under SAP impact the overall effectiveness and value for taxpayer money in this contract?
Limited competition under SAP may reduce the pressure on The Brattle Group to offer the most competitive pricing compared to a full and open competition. While SAP is efficient for smaller procurements, its use here might mean the FTC did not explore the full market for potential savings or alternative expertise, potentially impacting the overall value for taxpayer money.
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: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: FTC-1000-25-EW-0088
Offers Received: 1
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: $2,876,950
Exercised Options: $2,876,950
Current Obligation: $2,550,000
Actual Outlays: $487,158
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-26
Current End Date: 2026-09-25
Potential End Date: 2028-09-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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