DOJ awards $8.87M sole-source contract to The Brattle Group for expert witness services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $887,700 ($887.7K)

Contractor: THE Brattle Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-08

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02108

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $887,700 to THE BRATTLE GROUP INC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. High value contract for specialized legal services. 2. Sole-source award limits competitive pricing. 3. Potential risk of inflated costs due to lack of competition. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar expert witness contracts is difficult without more specific service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, indicating a sole-source award. This lack of competition limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may bear a higher cost due to the absence of competitive bidding, potentially paying more than necessary for expert witness services.

Public Impact

Citizens rely on the Department of Justice to ensure fair and efficient use of taxpayer funds. Expert witness services are crucial for complex legal cases, impacting case outcomes. Sole-source contracts raise concerns about transparency and potential for inflated pricing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Lack of competition

Positive Signals

Essential service for DOJ
Experienced contractor

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector, particularly specialized areas like expert witness testimony, often involves high costs. Benchmarks for these services can vary widely based on expertise and case complexity.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business participation, as the awardee is a large firm and the award method was sole-source.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the necessity of the contractor and the reasonableness of costs incurred under the Time and Materials basis.

Related Government Programs

All Other Legal Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Time and Materials pricing increases cost risk.
Potential for inflated costs without competitive pressure.
Lack of transparency in procurement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $887,700 to THE BRATTLE GROUP INC. EXPERT WITNESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BRATTLE GROUP INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $887,700.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-08.

What specific expertise does The Brattle Group provide that necessitates a sole-source award?

The Brattle Group is known for providing economic, financial, and management consulting services to assist in complex litigation and regulatory proceedings. Their expertise likely involves highly specialized economic analysis or testimony that the Department of Justice deems uniquely suited to their capabilities, justifying the sole-source procurement to ensure access to this specific skill set for critical cases.

How will the Department of Justice ensure cost control with a Time and Materials contract awarded sole-source?

The DOJ must implement rigorous monitoring and reporting requirements. This includes detailed tracking of labor hours, rates, and direct expenses. Regular reviews of invoices against pre-defined ceilings or milestones, and clear communication with the contractor about expected outcomes and cost expectations, are crucial to mitigate risks associated with T&M pricing in a sole-source scenario.

What is the potential impact on case outcomes if expert witness costs are not effectively managed?

Ineffective cost management of expert witness services can lead to significant budget overruns, potentially diverting funds from other critical DOJ operations or litigation needs. While cost is a factor, the primary impact is ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the expert's contribution to the legal case. Uncontrolled costs could indirectly signal a lack of strategic oversight, but the core concern remains achieving favorable legal outcomes.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 BEACON ST, BOSTON, MA, 02108

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $887,700

Exercised Options: $887,700

Current Obligation: $887,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline