District of Columbia Courts Award $8.1M for Guardian Ad Litem Services to Abused Children
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,126,259 ($8.1M)
Contractor: THE Children's LAW Center, Incorporated
Awarding Agency: District of Columbia Courts
Start Date: 2024-11-15
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 442 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: GUARDIAN AD LITEM (GAL) REPRESENTATION TO ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001
Plain-Language Summary
District of Columbia Courts obligated $8.1 million to THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER, INCORPORATED for work described as: GUARDIAN AD LITEM (GAL) REPRESENTATION TO ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on legal representation for vulnerable children. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps control costs. 4. This service is critical for child welfare within the District of Columbia.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $8.1M over approximately 1.5 years for legal representation services appears reasonable given the sensitive nature and specialized expertise required for guardian ad litem roles. Benchmarking against similar contracts for legal advocacy services for vulnerable populations would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures a broad pool of qualified providers can bid. This method is expected to lead to a fair market price for the services rendered.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to ensure legal representation for abused and neglected children, a vital social service. The competitive award process aims to maximize the value of these funds.
Public Impact
Ensures legal advocacy for children in abuse and neglect cases. Supports the judicial system's efforts to protect vulnerable youth. Provides specialized legal counsel to navigate complex child welfare proceedings.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if case complexity increases significantly.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Fixed-price contract type for cost certainty.
- Clear service duration and award amount.
Sector Analysis
Legal services for child advocacy fall under professional services. Spending benchmarks for such specialized legal representation can vary widely based on jurisdiction and the specific needs of the client population. The District of Columbia Courts are investing in a crucial aspect of the justice system.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the award went to 'THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER, INCORPORATED'. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this entity is a small business or if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The District of Columbia Courts are responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices should ensure accountability and proper service delivery.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Lawyers
- District of Columbia Courts Contracting
- District of Columbia Courts Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
- Potential for unquantified caseload increases.
- Limited insight into small business participation.
- Need for comparative cost analysis.
Tags
offices-of-lawyers, district-of-columbia-courts, dc, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
District of Columbia Courts awarded $8.1 million to THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER, INCORPORATED. GUARDIAN AD LITEM (GAL) REPRESENTATION TO ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER, INCORPORATED.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: District of Columbia Courts (District of Columbia Courts).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $8.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-11-15. End: 2026-01-31.
What is the average cost per child represented under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the number of children to be represented, making it impossible to calculate an average cost per child. To assess value effectively, the total number of cases or children served over the contract period would be necessary. This metric is crucial for understanding the efficiency of resource allocation for child advocacy.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the contractor?
The contract details do not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) that the District of Columbia Courts will use to evaluate the contractor's performance. Establishing clear, measurable KPIs related to case resolution times, client satisfaction (where applicable), and adherence to legal standards is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of guardian ad litem services and contractor accountability.
How does the pricing compare to similar services in other jurisdictions?
Without specific cost breakdowns or detailed service level agreements, a direct comparison of this $8.1M contract to similar services in other jurisdictions is challenging. Factors like the cost of living, complexity of cases, and the scope of services (e.g., investigations, court appearances) significantly influence pricing. A benchmark analysis against comparable metropolitan areas would be beneficial.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 501 3RD ST NW FL 8, WASHINGTON, DC, 20001
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,126,259
Exercised Options: $8,126,259
Current Obligation: $8,126,259
Actual Outlays: $5,958,333
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-11-15
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-29
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