4 - Contract Line Item Number Descriptions.docx

Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) Descriptions

CLIN 0001 – Unsecured Debt Collection

CLIN 0001AA – Contingency Fee for Collecting Unsecured Debts Contractors assigned to collect unsecured debts will be paid a fixed percentage of the value of the monies collected. Note, however, that the debtor’s first payment will be applied to court costs, if any, and that amount will not be subject to contingency fees.

CLIN 0001AB - Attorney Firm-Fixed Hourly Rate for Collecting Unsecured Debts

Occasionally, in litigation, miscellaneous ancillary issues may arise. These are issues that require legal work not compensated for under other CLINs. For example, the Contractor may need to litigate a specific issue a debtor may contest. The Contractor would be entitled to bill the Department firm-fixed hourly rates for time spent litigating the contested issue. Note, however, that the Department will not pay the Contractor's hourly rate for all of the work done; the Department will only pay for the time spent on the ancillary work not expressly indicated or otherwise implied in other CLINs. Additionally, in order to be compensated for time spent on ancillary litigation issues on a firm-fixed hourly rate under this CLIN, the Contractor must obtain written approval from the COR and/or AUSA prior to engaging in such ancillary litigation activities. All such requests shall contain a description of the ancillary issue; (2) an estimate of fees to be incurred; and (3) be submitted sufficiently in advance of the activity to allow the AUSA sufficient time to review the request. Without prior written approval, the Government will not be liable for compensation of such unauthorized ancillary litigation activities and the Contractor will not be paid for any such unauthorized ancillary litigation activities. Requests under this CLIN are reviewed by the AUSA to determine the appropriateness of the described litigation strategy and/or activity, and the reasonableness of the hours requested to perform the activity. The COR review determines the same, in addition to verification that adequate funding is available to the Program Office to cover the approved hours.

CLIN 0001AC - Paralegal/Legal Assistant Firm-Fixed Hourly Rate for Collecting Unsecured Debts

Occasionally, in litigation, miscellaneous ancillary issues may arise. These are issues that require legal work not compensated for under other CLINs. For example, the Contractor may need to litigate a specific issue a debtor may contest. The Contractor would be entitled to bill the Department firm-fixed hourly rates for time spent litigating the contested issue. Note, however, that the Department will not pay the Contractor's hourly rate for all of the work done; the Department will only pay for the time spent on the ancillary work not expressly indicated or otherwise implied in other CLINs. Additionally, in order to be compensated for time spent on ancillary litigation issues on a firm-fixed hourly rate under this CLIN, the Contractor must obtain written approval from the COR and/or AUSA prior to engaging in such ancillary litigation activities. All such requests shall (1) contain a description of the ancillary issue; (2) an estimate of fees to be incurred; and (3) be submitted sufficiently in advance of the activity to allow the AUSA sufficient time to review the request. Without prior written approval, the Government will not be liable for compensation of such unauthorized ancillary litigation activities and the Contractor will not be paid for any such unauthorized ancillary litigation activities. Requests under this CLIN are reviewed by the AUSA to determine the appropriateness of the described litigation strategy and/or activity, and the reasonableness of the hours requested to perform the activity. The COR review determines the same, in addition to verification that adequate funding is available to the Program Office to cover the approved hours.

CLIN 0002 Secured Debt Collection

CLIN 0002AA Flat fee for handling foreclosures

Contractors assigned to handle foreclosures will be paid a flat fee to compensate for labor related to handling uncontested foreclosure activities only. For reimbursement of other direct costs associated with handling uncontested foreclosures, see CLIN 0002AD.

CLIN 0002AB Flat fee for deed in lieu of foreclosure actions

Contractors will be paid a flat fee for labor in connection with foreclosure efforts in which a standard Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure is offered and accepted. For reimbursement of fees and other direct costs associated with handling a deed in lieu of foreclosure, see CLIN 0002AD.

CLIN 0002AC – Evictions or Other Possessory Actions

Contractors will be paid a flat fee for labor in connection with evictions or other possessory actions. For reimbursement of fees and other direct costs associated with evictions or other possessory actions, see CLIN 0002AD.

CLIN 0002AD- ODCs/Materials for Foreclosures For secured debts, ODCs and/or material costs may be reimbursed on an actual cost basis provided the Contractor submits proof of the costs incurred for each ODC. ODCs for secured debts include, but are not limited to:

· Fees for service of process

· Fees for filing documents (such as index number, lis pendens, etc.)

· Costs of service by publication

· Fees/commissions of local sheriffs, marshals, or other officials authorized by law to conduct sales

· Costs of curators or guardian ad litem

· Costs of appraisals

· Costs of publishing notices of sales

· Cost of title searches

· Costs of title insurance policies

· Fees to file deficiency judgment liens

CLIN 0002AE - Attorney Firm-Fixed Hourly Rate for Collecting Secured Debts

Occasionally, in litigation, miscellaneous ancillary issues may arise. These are issues that require legal work not compensated for under other CLINs. For example, the Contractor may need to litigate a specific issue a debtor may contest. The Contractor would be entitled to bill the Department firm-fixed hourly rates for time spent litigating the contested issue. Note, however, the Department will not pay the Contractor's hourly rate for all of the work done; the Department will only pay for the time spent on the ancillary work not expressly indicated or otherwise implied in other CLINs. Additionally, in order to be compensated for time spent on ancillary litigation issues on a firm-fixed hourly rate under this CLIN, the Contractor must obtain written approval from the COR and/or AUSA prior to engaging in such ancillary litigation activities. All such requests shall (1) contain a description of the ancillary issue; (2) an estimate of fees to be incurred; and (3) be submitted sufficiently in advance of the activity to allow the AUSA sufficient time to review the request. Without prior written approval, the Government will not be liable for compensation of such unauthorized litigation activities and the Contractor will not be paid for any such unauthorized litigation activities. Requests under this CLIN are reviewed by the AUSA to determine the appropriateness of the described litigation strategy and/or activity, and the reasonableness of the hours requested to perform the activity. The COR review determines the same, in addition to verification that adequate funding is available to the Program Office to cover the approved hours.

CLIN 0002AF - Paralegal/Legal Assistant Firm-Fixed Hourly Rate for Collecting Secured Debts

Occasionally, in litigation, miscellaneous ancillary issues may arise. These are issues that require legal work not compensated for under other CLINs. For example, the Contractor may need to litigate a specific issue a debtor may contest. The Contractor would be entitled to bill the Department firm-fixed hourly rates for time spent litigating the contested issue. Note, however, the Department will not pay the Contractor's hourly rate for all of the work done; the Department will only pay for the time spent on the ancillary work not expressly indicated or otherwise implied in other CLINs. Additionally, in order to be compensated for time spent on ancillary litigation issues on a firm-fixed hourly rate under this CLIN, the Contractor must obtain written approval from the COR and/or AUSA prior to engaging in such ancillary litigation activities. All such requests shall (1) contain a description of the ancillary issue; (2) an estimate of fees to be incurred; and (3) be submitted sufficiently in advance of the activity to allow the AUSA sufficient time to review the request. Without prior written approval, the Government will not be liable for compensation of such unauthorized litigation activities and the Contractor will not be paid for any such unauthorized litigation activities. Requests under this CLIN are reviewed by the AUSA to determine the appropriateness of the described litigation strategy and/or activity, and the reasonableness of the hours requested to perform the activity. The COR review determines the same, in addition to verification that adequate funding is available to the Program Office to cover the approved hours.

CLIN 0003 – Bankruptcy

CLIN 0003AA – Bankruptcy Proceedings Contractors will be paid a flat fee for labor in connection with Chapters 11, 12 and 13 bankruptcy cases.

CLIN 0003AB – ODCs for Bankruptcy Proceedings

For bankruptcy proceedings, ODCs and/or material costs may be reimbursed on an actual cost basis provided the Contractor submits proof of costs incurred for each ODC. ODCs for secured debts include, but are not limited to:

· Fees for service of process

· Fees for filing documents (such as index number, lis pendens, etc.)

· Costs of service by publication

· Fees to file deficiency judgment liens

CLIN 0003AC- Attorney Firm-Fixed Hourly Rate Bankruptcy Proceedings

Occasionally, in bankruptcy proceedings, miscellaneous ancillary issues may arise. These are issues that require legal work not compensated for under other CLINs. For example, the Contractor may need to litigate a specific issue a debtor may contest. The Contractor would be entitled to bill the Department firm-fixed hourly rates for time spent litigating the contested issue. Note, however, the Department will not pay the Contractor's hourly rate for all of the work done; the Department will only pay for the time spent on the ancillary work not expressly indicated or otherwise implied in other CLINs. Additionally, in order to be compensated for time spent on ancillary litigation issues on a firm- fixed hourly rate under this CLIN, the Contractor must obtain written approval from the COR and/or AUSA prior to engaging in such ancillary litigation activities. All such requests shall (1) contain a description of the ancillary issue; (2) an estimate of fees to be incurred; and (3) be submitted sufficiently in advance of the activity to allow the AUSA sufficient time to review the request. Without prior written approval, the Government will not be liable for compensation of such unauthorized litigation activities and the Contractor will not be paid for any such unauthorized litigation activities. Requests under this CLIN are reviewed by the AUSA to determine the appropriateness of the described litigation strategy and/or activity, and the reasonableness of the hours requested to perform the activity. The COR review determines the same, in addition to verification that adequate funding is available to the Program Office to cover the approved hours.

CLIN 0003AD - Paralegal/Legal Assistant Firm-Fixed Hourly Rate Bankruptcy Proceedings

Occasionally, in bankruptcy proceedings, miscellaneous ancillary issues may arise. These are issues that require legal work not compensated for under other CLINs. For example, the Contractor may need to litigate a specific issue a debtor may contest. The Contractor would be entitled to bill the Department firm- fixed hourly rates for time spent litigating the contested issue. Note, however, the Department will not pay the Contractor's hourly rate for all of the work done; the Department will only pay for the time spent on the ancillary work not expressly indicated or otherwise implied in other CLINs. Additionally, in order to be compensated for time spent on ancillary litigation issues on a firm-fixed hourly rate under this CLIN, the Contractor must obtain written approval from the COR and/or AUSA prior to engaging in such ancillary litigation activities. All such requests shall (1) contain a description of the ancillary issue; (2) an estimate of fees to be incurred; and (3) be submitted sufficiently in advance of the activity to allow the AUSA sufficient time to review the request. Without prior written approval, the Government will not be liable for compensation of such unauthorized litigation activities and the Contractor will not be paid for any such unauthorized litigation activities. Requests under this CLIN are reviewed by the AUSA to determine the appropriateness of the described litigation strategy and/or activity, and the reasonableness of the hours requested to perform the activity. The COR review determines the same, in addition to verification that adequate funding is available to the Program Office to cover the approved hours.

CLIN 0004 – ODCs/materials – returning cases, miscellaneous

Fees for mailing/shipping cases as directed will be reimbursed on an actual cost basis. Other miscellaneous costs incurred at the direction of the Government will be reimbursed on an actual cost basis.

CLIN 0005 – Travel

DOJ-approved travel associated with DOJ-approved training will be reimbursed under CLIN 0005 if Contractors are required to attend training at a facility outside of the judicial district. Local travel will not be reimbursed. The Government will reimburse the Contractor employees for transportation to and from the training facility and the Contractor's place of business, lodging and per diem (e.g., meals and incidental expenses) for up to one (1) week at rates not to exceed those authorized and in effect for Government employee travel as set forth in the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Travel Regulation. All other travel expenses will not be reimbursed and must be factored into the contractor’s contingency fee.

Travel costs associated with litigation or debt collection enforcement activities can be reimbursed at cost when travel is necessary within a judicial district which is geographically widely dispersed, and travel exceeds 50 miles to and from the necessary location in a single trip. Approval for litigation and collection related travel reimbursement must be requested from the COR and can only be approved if the travel is deemed necessary by the COR.

CLIN 0006 – Miscellaneous Costs

CLIN 0006AA – Attorney Firm-Fixed Hourly Rate for Miscellaneous Ancillary Activities

Occasionally, the Contractor may assist with miscellaneous ancillary activities, at the discretion of the Government. These are activities that require ancillary work not compensated for under other CLINs. For example, the Contractor shall be required to assist in the completion of manuals and/or instructional guidance in reference to litigating debt collection cases. The Contractor would be entitled to bill the Department firm-fixed hourly rates for time spent working on those activities. Note, however, the Department will not pay the Contractor's hourly rate for all of the work done; the Department will only pay for the time spent on the ancillary work not expressly indicated or otherwise implied in other CLINs. In order to be compensated for time spent on ancillary work on a firm-fixed hourly rate under this CLIN, the Contractor must obtain written approval from the COR and/or AUSA prior to engaging in such ancillary activities. All such requests shall (1) contain a description of the ancillary work; (2) an estimate of fees to be incurred; and (3) be submitted sufficiently in advance of the activity to allow the COR sufficient time to review the request. Without prior written approval, the Government will not be liable for compensation of such unauthorized ancillary activities and the Contractor will not be paid for any such unauthorized ancillary activities. Requests under this CLIN are reviewed by the AUSA to determine the appropriateness of the described litigation strategy and/or activity, and the reasonableness of the hours requested to perform the activity. The COR review determines the same, in addition to verification that adequate funding is available to the Program Office to cover the approved hours.