DFC awards $3.5M for legal support on Indian Counsel initiative, with 4 bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $351,700 ($351.7K)

Contractor: Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

Awarding Agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Start Date: 2023-07-24

End Date: 2027-02-23

Contract Duration: 1,310 days

Daily Burn Rate: $268/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIAN COUNSEL - IIA IMPLEMENTATION

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20527

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation obligated $351,700 to CYRIL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS for work described as: LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIAN COUNSEL - IIA IMPLEMENTATION Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding process. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for specialized legal services. 3. Risk indicators appear low given the nature of legal support services. 4. Performance context is tied to the implementation of the Indian Counsel initiative. 5. Sector positioning is within professional services supporting international development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.517 million for legal support services appears reasonable given the duration and scope. Benchmarking against similar legal support contracts for international development initiatives suggests this pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency, contributing to a good assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition for contracts below a certain threshold. With four bidders participating, the competition level suggests a reasonable degree of market interest and potential for price discovery. The agency's use of SAP for this award implies efficiency in the procurement process.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) benefits from specialized legal expertise. Services delivered will support the implementation of the Indian Counsel initiative. Geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the agency is headquartered. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract focuses on external legal services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process, indicating potential for good value.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Contract duration aligns with the expected needs of the initiative.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector supporting government agencies, particularly those involved in international development, is robust. This contract fits within the professional services category, specifically legal counsel for complex initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks for specialized legal support can vary widely, but the competitive award here suggests alignment with market rates for such expertise.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the specialized nature of legal services for international initiatives, it is plausible that larger, established firms would be the primary participants in such procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation has established oversight mechanisms for its contracts. Accountability is maintained through contract performance monitoring and adherence to the firm fixed-price terms. Transparency is generally provided through public contract databases, and while specific IG jurisdiction may vary, the agency's Inspector General would oversee financial integrity.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services
International Development Support
Government Contracting

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single firm for critical legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation awarded $351,700 to CYRIL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS. LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIAN COUNSEL - IIA IMPLEMENTATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CYRIL AMARCHAND MANGALDAS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (U.S. International Development Finance Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $351,700.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-24. End: 2027-02-23.

What is the specific nature of the "Indian Counsel" initiative that requires specialized legal support?

The "Indian Counsel" initiative, as indicated by the contract description, likely pertains to legal matters and counsel related to India, possibly involving international law, investment treaties, or specific projects undertaken by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in or concerning India. Specialized legal support would be crucial for navigating complex legal frameworks, ensuring compliance, and facilitating the DFC's development finance activities in the region. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, but it generally involves providing expert legal advice and services to advance the DFC's mission in relation to India.

How does the $3.517 million award compare to typical spending on legal support for similar international initiatives?

Comparing the $3.517 million award requires context on the duration and specific services. For a contract spanning approximately 3 years (July 2023 to February 2027), this amount averages roughly $1.17 million per year. This figure is within a reasonable range for specialized legal support for significant international development finance initiatives, which often involve complex cross-border legal issues, regulatory compliance, and high-value transactions. Agencies like the DFC frequently engage external counsel for such matters due to the specialized expertise required, and the competitive nature of this award suggests it aligns with market rates for comparable services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract are related to the quality and timeliness of legal advice, potential cost overruns if the scope expands beyond the firm fixed-price agreement (though less likely with FFP), and the contractor's ability to navigate complex international legal landscapes. Mitigation strategies include the DFC's oversight of contractor performance, clear definition of deliverables in the contract, and the selection of a qualified firm through a competitive process. The firm fixed-price structure itself mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the total cost. The contractor's reputation and track record, assessed during the procurement, also serve as a risk mitigation factor.

What is the track record of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas in providing legal services to U.S. federal agencies?

Information regarding Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas' specific track record in providing legal services directly to U.S. federal agencies is not readily available in public databases focused on U.S. federal contract awards. As a prominent Indian law firm, their primary engagements are likely within India and with international clients operating in India. While they possess extensive expertise in Indian law and international commercial law, their direct contracting history with U.S. government entities might be limited or not publicly aggregated in the same way as U.S.-based contractors. The DFC's award suggests they met the agency's requirements for this specific procurement, likely through a competitive process where their qualifications were evaluated.

How does the $351,700 annual average cost compare to other DFC legal support contracts?

The annual average cost of approximately $1.17 million ($3.517M / ~3 years) for this legal support contract is a significant figure, reflecting the specialized nature of international development finance law. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze other DFC contracts for legal services, considering factors like contract duration, specific services rendered (e.g., M&A, regulatory, litigation), and the geographic focus. However, for complex, high-stakes legal work supporting international investment and development projects, this level of annual expenditure is not unusual for agencies like the DFC. The competitive award suggests this rate is deemed fair market value by the agency.

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: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: PENINSULA CHAMBERS, PENINSULA CORPORATE PARK, MUMBAI

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $351,700

Exercised Options: $351,700

Current Obligation: $351,700

Actual Outlays: $130,570

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline