DFC awards $752K legal services contract to Morrison & Foerster LLP for 2 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $752,703 ($752.7K)

Contractor: Morrison & Foerster LLP

Awarding Agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2028-04-01

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EUROCAPE UKRAINE I LIMITED-9000032017

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 $752,702.5 to MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP for work described as: EUROCAPE UKRAINE I LIMITED-9000032017 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 3. The contract duration of two years allows for sustained legal support. 4. The award amount is relatively modest for a two-year legal services engagement. 5. The specific legal services required are not detailed, impacting a full value assessment. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating potential for larger firms to compete.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $752,702.50 over two years equates to approximately $376,351 per year for legal services. This appears reasonable when benchmarked against typical rates for large, established law firms providing specialized counsel to federal agencies. Without specific details on the nature of the legal services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall amount does not suggest overpricing for a firm of Morrison & Foerster's caliber.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This method is generally preferred for maximizing competition and achieving the best possible pricing and value for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a robust process was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple firms to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives high-quality services at a competitive rate.

Public Impact

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) benefits from consistent and expert legal counsel. Services will support the DFC's mission in international development finance. The contract's impact is primarily administrative and operational within the DFC. No direct geographic or broad workforce implications are apparent from this contract alone.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific service details limits understanding of potential risks.
Reliance on a single firm for two years could pose continuity risks if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Award to a well-established firm like Morrison & Foerster suggests a lower risk of performance failure.
Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition indicates a deliberate effort to secure competitive terms.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically legal services, which are essential for government operations. The legal services industry is highly competitive, with numerous firms ranging from boutique specialists to large international organizations. The DFC, as a development finance institution, requires specialized legal expertise related to international law, finance, and potentially geopolitical risk, areas where firms like Morrison & Foerster have demonstrated capabilities. Benchmarking legal services spending is complex due to the highly variable nature of legal work, but this award appears to be a standard procurement for such expertise.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the most qualified bidder, likely a larger firm with the capacity and expertise for complex legal matters. While this may limit direct opportunities for small businesses on this specific contract, it aligns with the typical procurement of high-level legal services where larger firms often dominate.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program officials within the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Performance reviews and adherence to the contract terms would be monitored. As a federal contract, it is subject to general government oversight regulations and potentially audits by the agency's Inspector General if specific concerns arise regarding waste, fraud, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services Contracts
Professional Services Procurement
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if not managed closely.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical legal functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation awarded $752,702.5 to MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP. EUROCAPE UKRAINE I LIMITED-9000032017

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP.

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 $752,702.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2028-04-01.

What specific types of legal services will Morrison & Foerster LLP provide under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the legal services. However, given the agency is the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the services likely pertain to international finance law, corporate law, regulatory compliance, contract review, dispute resolution, and potentially matters related to foreign investment and development projects. Morrison & Foerster LLP is a global law firm with extensive experience in these areas, suggesting the DFC requires specialized counsel for its complex international financial operations and policy initiatives.

How does the $752,702.50 contract value compare to similar legal services contracts awarded by the DFC or other agencies?

The contract value of $752,702.50 over two years, averaging approximately $376,351 annually, is a moderate amount for legal services procured by a federal agency. Larger agencies with extensive litigation or complex regulatory needs often award multi-million dollar contracts for legal support. For an agency like the DFC, which focuses on financing development projects, this amount suggests a need for ongoing, but perhaps not constant, high-level legal advice rather than extensive litigation support. Benchmarking requires detailed comparison of service scope, but the price appears within a reasonable range for specialized counsel from a reputable firm.

What is the track record of Morrison & Foerster LLP in performing federal contracts?

Morrison & Foerster LLP is a large, well-established international law firm with a significant history of providing legal services across various sectors. While specific details on their past federal contract performance are not in the provided data, their size and reputation suggest a strong capability to meet contractual obligations. Federal agencies frequently engage large law firms for complex legal needs, and Morrison & Foerster's presence in such procurements indicates a history of successful engagements, though a deeper dive into past performance ratings and specific contract outcomes would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract for the DFC?

Potential risks include the possibility of the firm not meeting performance expectations, although this is mitigated by the firm's reputation. Another risk is the cost escalation if the scope of work expands beyond initial projections, though the fixed-price nature of the contract aims to prevent this. A longer-term risk could be a lack of flexibility if the DFC's legal needs change significantly over the two-year period and the current contract structure is not adaptable. Ensuring clear communication and performance metrics will be key to mitigating these risks.

How does the 'full and open competition' procurement method impact the value received by taxpayers?

Full and open competition is designed to maximize the number of potential bidders, thereby fostering a competitive environment. This competition typically drives down prices as firms vie for the contract, ensuring the government secures services at a more favorable rate. It also encourages innovation and a wider range of solutions. For taxpayers, this method generally leads to better value for money by preventing monopolies or limited bidding scenarios that could result in higher costs or lower quality services.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 77344426Q0048

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 425 MARKET ST FL 32, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94105

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $752,703

Exercised Options: $752,703

Current Obligation: $752,703

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 77344422D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline