DFC awards $438K for international legal support to Morrison & Foerster LLP, with a 3-year term

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $438,012 ($438.0K)

Contractor: Morrison & Foerster LLP

Awarding Agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2029-04-06

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $400/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WEST INDIAN OCEAN CABLE COMPANY - 9000117381 INTERNATIONAL LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $438,012 to MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP for work described as: WEST INDIAN OCEAN CABLE COMPANY - 9000117381 INTERNATIONAL LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $438,012 for three years suggests a moderate annual expenditure for specialized legal services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a broad outreach for potential bidders. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, which helps in cost certainty for the agency. 4. The primary contractor, Morrison & Foerster LLP, is a large law firm with extensive experience. 5. The service category, Offices of Lawyers, is a standard professional service requirement for government agencies. 6. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) provides a stable period for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $438,012 over three years equates to approximately $146,000 annually for international legal support. This appears reasonable given the specialized nature of legal services required by an agency like the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Benchmarking against similar legal support contracts for federal agencies would provide a more precise value assessment, but the amount does not immediately suggest overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The data indicates three bids were received. This level of competition, while not extensive, suggests that the DFC sought multiple proposals to ensure a competitive price and selection of a qualified vendor for these international legal services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality, ensuring that public funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) benefits from this contract by securing essential legal expertise for its international development finance operations. The services delivered will support the DFC's mission in areas such as project finance, investment agreements, and regulatory compliance in foreign jurisdictions. The geographic impact is global, as the DFC operates internationally, and the legal support will likely pertain to projects and investments across various countries. The workforce implications are primarily for the legal professionals at Morrison & Foerster LLP who will be assigned to support the DFC's needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'international legal support' is not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single firm for critical legal advice could pose a risk if internal expertise is limited.
Ensuring timely and effective communication between the DFC and the law firm across different time zones and jurisdictions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency.
The contractor, Morrison & Foerster LLP, is a reputable law firm with demonstrated experience in international law.
The contract duration allows for continuity of services and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector for government contracts is a significant market, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. This contract falls within the professional services category, specifically legal counsel for international operations. The DFC's need for such services is driven by its mandate to finance private sector projects in developing countries, which inherently involves complex cross-border legal frameworks. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal agencies' expenditures on similar international legal advisory services.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. The prime contractor, Morrison & Foerster LLP, is a large law firm. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for ancillary services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for reliance on a single contractor for critical services.
Complexity of international legal frameworks may introduce unforeseen challenges.
Ensuring consistent quality of legal advice across diverse jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation awarded $438,012 to MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP. WEST INDIAN OCEAN CABLE COMPANY - 9000117381 INTERNATIONAL LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $438,012.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2029-04-06.

What is the track record of Morrison & Foerster LLP in performing similar international legal support services for federal agencies?

Morrison & Foerster LLP is a globally recognized law firm with a substantial practice in international law, corporate finance, and project development. While specific contract performance data for federal agencies is not detailed here, their general reputation and extensive experience in handling complex cross-border transactions, regulatory matters, and dispute resolution suggest a strong capability to meet the DFC's needs. Their public profile and client list often include major multinational corporations and financial institutions, indicating a capacity for high-stakes international legal work. A deeper dive into past performance evaluations or specific federal contract awards would provide more granular insights into their track record with government clients.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar legal support services procured by other federal agencies?

The annual cost of approximately $146,000 for international legal support services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized legal expertise required by a federal agency like the DFC. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against contracts with similar scope, complexity, and duration from agencies engaged in comparable international finance or development activities. Factors such as the specific legal jurisdictions involved, the seniority of attorneys required, and the volume of work can significantly influence pricing. Without access to detailed pricing structures of comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a superior or inferior value, but it does not appear excessively high on its face.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential scope creep, where the definition of 'international legal support' might expand beyond initial intentions, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the reliance on a single firm for critical legal advice, which could be problematic if the firm's capacity is strained or if conflicts of interest arise. Ensuring effective communication and coordination across different time zones and legal systems also presents a logistical challenge. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by the DFC, including clear definition of deliverables, regular performance reviews, and proactive communication protocols. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also helps mitigate financial risk for the government.

How effective is the DFC in leveraging this contract to achieve its international development finance objectives?

The effectiveness of this contract in achieving the DFC's objectives hinges on the quality and timeliness of the legal support provided by Morrison & Foerster LLP. If the firm offers sound legal counsel that facilitates smooth project financing, navigates complex regulatory environments, and mitigates legal risks, then the contract is highly effective. Conversely, if legal advice is delayed, inadequate, or leads to unforeseen complications, its effectiveness would be diminished. The DFC's internal program management and oversight play a crucial role in ensuring the legal support directly contributes to successful project outcomes and the agency's overall mission.

What are the historical spending patterns of the DFC on legal services, and how does this contract fit within that trend?

Analyzing the DFC's historical spending on legal services would provide context for this $438,012 contract. If the DFC has consistently awarded similar-sized contracts for international legal support over the years, this award would represent a continuation of established spending patterns. Significant deviations, either higher or lower, might indicate a shift in strategy, increased or decreased legal needs, or changes in procurement approaches. Without historical data, it's challenging to place this contract within a trend, but its duration and value suggest a standard, ongoing requirement for specialized legal expertise to support the agency's global operations.

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: 77344426Q0034

Offers Received: 3

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: $438,012

Exercised Options: $438,012

Current Obligation: $438,012

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