DOJ Awards $3.96M for DNA Expert Witness Services to Signature Science LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,963 ($4.0K)
Contractor: Signature Science LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-07-09
End Date: 2026-04-01
Contract Duration: 266 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES - DNA
Place of Performance
Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78766
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $3,963.22 to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES - DNA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. The service category, 'All Other Legal Services,' is broad and may lack specific benchmarks. 3. Potential for cost overruns exists with Time and Materials contract type. 4. The award is for expert witness services, critical for legal proceedings.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is Time and Materials, which can lead to higher costs if not managed closely. Without a competitive bid, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to market rates for similar expert witness services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best price discovery, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential legal services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical legal support for Department of Justice investigations and trials. Potential for increased costs impacts overall DOJ budget allocation. Reliance on a single provider may affect service availability or quality in the long term.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Time and Materials contract type
- Lack of specific service benchmarks
Positive Signals
- Provides essential expert witness services
- Supports DOJ's legal functions
Sector Analysis
Legal services, particularly expert witness support, are crucial for government functions. Benchmarks for specialized services like DNA analysis can vary significantly based on expertise and case complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small businesses in this contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests a need for closer oversight to ensure the justification for limited competition is sound and that pricing remains reasonable.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of full and open competition
- Time and Materials contract type
- Potential for cost escalation
- Absence of specific service benchmarks
- Limited transparency on vendor selection justification
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, tx, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $3,963.22 to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES - DNA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3,963.22.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-09. End: 2026-04-01.
What is the justification for not competing this contract under SAP, and what steps are in place to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for not competing under SAP is not provided in the data. To ensure fair pricing, the Department of Justice should have a robust process for reviewing vendor proposals, potentially including independent cost estimates or market research, even in limited competition scenarios. Regular performance reviews and cost analysis throughout the contract duration are also crucial.
What are the specific risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for expert witness services, and how are they mitigated?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry the risk of cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined or if the vendor's efficiency is low. Mitigation strategies include establishing clear task orders, setting not-to-exceed limits for labor hours and rates, and implementing strong project management oversight to monitor progress and control costs. Regular reporting and performance reviews are essential.
How does the specialized nature of DNA expert witness services impact the ability to benchmark costs effectively?
The highly specialized nature of DNA expert witness services makes cost benchmarking challenging. Factors like the complexity of the case, the specific scientific techniques required, the reputation and experience of the expert, and the jurisdiction can all influence pricing. Standardized benchmarks are difficult to establish, often necessitating reliance on expert judgment and detailed cost proposals from vendors.
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
Parent Company: Signature Science, LLC
Address: 8501 N MOPAC EXPY STE 100, AUSTIN, TX, 78759
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,963
Exercised Options: $3,963
Current Obligation: $3,963
Actual Outlays: $3,979
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-09
Current End Date: 2026-04-01
Potential End Date: 2026-04-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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