DOJ awards $17.9M to Signature Science for Expert Witness Services, a sole-source contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,919 ($17.9K)
Contractor: Signature Science LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-10
End Date: 2029-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,055 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78766
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $17,918.63 to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Signature Science LLC for $17.9M. 2. Service category: All Other Legal Services (NAICS 541199). 3. Contract type: Time and Materials, Purchase Order. 4. Duration: 1055 days, ending February 2029. 5. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. The lack of competition makes it difficult to assess if the pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for these essential legal services may result in higher costs than if multiple vendors were considered.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The duration of the contract (nearly 3 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. The specific nature of 'expert witness services' implies critical support for legal proceedings.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Time and Materials contract type
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Clear service category identified
- Defined contract end date
Sector Analysis
Legal services, specifically expert witness support, are crucial for government operations. Benchmarks for this niche sector are hard to establish without competitive data, but costs can escalate rapidly with T&M contracts.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication of small business participation in this contract. Efforts should be made to ensure small businesses have opportunities to compete for similar services in the future.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the services are necessary and priced appropriately. Tracking expenditures under the Time and Materials structure is critical.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M structure
- Lack of competitive pricing
- No small business participation
- Limited transparency on sole-source 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 $17,918.63 to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES
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 $17,918.63.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2029-02-28.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award is typically based on specific capabilities, proprietary knowledge, or urgent needs that only one vendor can meet. Without further details on the specific expert witness services required, it's difficult to ascertain the validity of this sole-source determination. A thorough review of the justification documentation is necessary to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations.
What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for expert witness services?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation, as the final price is not fixed. For expert witness services, this means the government is billed for the hours worked and materials used, which can be unpredictable. Without strong oversight and defined labor categories with capped rates, the total cost could significantly exceed initial estimates, impacting overall program budgets.
How will the effectiveness of these expert witness services be measured?
Measuring the effectiveness of expert witness services can be challenging as it often relates to case outcomes. However, effectiveness can be assessed through factors like the clarity and persuasiveness of testimony, the quality of reports provided, adherence to deadlines, and the overall contribution to the legal case. Performance metrics should be established and regularly reviewed by the contracting officer's representative (COR).
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: $17,919
Exercised Options: $17,919
Current Obligation: $17,919
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Current End Date: 2029-02-28
Potential End Date: 2029-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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