Children's Law Center Contract Extended for Option Year Two at $6.5 Million
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,708,333 ($2.7M)
Contractor: THE Children's LAW Center, Incorporated
Awarding Agency: District of Columbia Courts
Start Date: 2026-02-01
End Date: 2027-01-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONTRACT NO. DCSC-23-RFP-67 WITH THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER: EXERCISE OF OPTION YEAR TWO, $6,500,000: POP: FEBRUARY 1, 2026, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2027
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001
Plain-Language Summary
District of Columbia Courts obligated $2.7 million to THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER, INCORPORATED for work described as: CONTRACT NO. DCSC-23-RFP-67 WITH THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER: EXERCISE OF OPTION YEAR TWO, $6,500,000: POP: FEBRUARY 1, 2026, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2027 Key points: 1. Contract value for Option Year Two is $6.5 million, covering February 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027. 2. The contract is with The Children's Law Center, Inc., for legal services. 3. Awarded by the District of Columbia Courts, this represents continued service delivery. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 5. This is a renewal, suggesting satisfaction with previous performance.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's fixed price structure provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar legal services contracts for child advocacy would be beneficial to confirm value, but the established relationship suggests a fair price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically drives competitive pricing. The specific pricing discovery mechanisms used during the initial award and subsequent option exercise are not detailed but the competitive process is a positive indicator.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential legal services, with the competitive award process aiming for cost-effectiveness.
Public Impact
Ensures continued legal representation for children in need within the District of Columbia. Supports the District of Columbia Courts' mission to provide access to justice. Maintains stability in legal services for vulnerable populations. Potential for improved child welfare outcomes through dedicated legal advocacy.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 70 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics for the option year.
- Potential for scope creep if not managed closely.
Positive Signals
- Established provider with a track record.
- Fixed-price contract offers budget predictability.
- Full and open competition ensures market fairness.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199). Spending in this sector is driven by the need for specialized legal expertise, particularly in public service areas. Benchmarks for similar court-appointed or public defender services would be relevant.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific contract award or subcontracting opportunities. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The District of Columbia Courts are responsible for oversight. Regular performance reviews and adherence to contract terms are crucial for accountability. The fixed-price nature simplifies some aspects of financial oversight.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- District of Columbia Courts Contracting
- District of Columbia Courts Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
- Limited detail on cost comparison to benchmarks.
- Potential for service quality decline if not actively managed.
- No explicit mention of small business utilization.
Tags
all-other-legal-services, district-of-columbia-courts, dc, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
District of Columbia Courts awarded $2.7 million to THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER, INCORPORATED. CONTRACT NO. DCSC-23-RFP-67 WITH THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER: EXERCISE OF OPTION YEAR TWO, $6,500,000: POP: FEBRUARY 1, 2026, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2027
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 $2.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.
What specific performance metrics will be used to evaluate the Children's Law Center's effectiveness during this option year?
The provided data does not specify performance metrics for this option year. Effective oversight would require the District of Columbia Courts to establish clear, measurable performance indicators related to case outcomes, client satisfaction, and adherence to legal standards. These metrics should be reviewed regularly to ensure the contractor is meeting expectations and delivering value.
How does the $6.5 million cost compare to the previous year's spending and industry benchmarks for similar legal services?
The $6.5 million represents the cost for Option Year Two. Without data on previous years' spending or specific industry benchmarks for comparable child advocacy legal services in the DC area, a direct value assessment is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature and full and open competition suggest a considered cost.
What is the potential impact on taxpayer funds if the Children's Law Center's services are found to be less effective than anticipated?
If services are less effective, taxpayer funds could be impacted through continued payment for suboptimal outcomes or the need for corrective actions, potentially including re-competition or supplemental funding for improved services. The fixed-price contract mitigates risk of cost overruns for defined services, but not for effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › All Other Legal Services
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: 250 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW STE 350, 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: $2,708,333
Exercised Options: $2,708,333
Current Obligation: $2,708,333
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-02-01
Current End Date: 2027-01-31
Potential End Date: 2027-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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