DOJ awards $13.5M for Expert Witness services to Bates White, LLC via sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,460,097 ($13.5M)

Contractor: Bates White, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-05-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,187 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $13.5 million to BATES WHITE, LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. High cost for specialized legal services. 2. Sole-source award limits competitive pricing. 3. Potential for cost overruns given contract duration. 4. Legal services sector is competitive, but specific expertise may justify sole-source.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $13.5M for expert witness services over approximately 3 years appears high. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized legal support is difficult without more granular data on the services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition for these essential legal services.

Public Impact

Citizens rely on the DOJ to manage taxpayer funds efficiently. Access to justice can be impacted by the cost of legal proceedings. Government contracts for specialized services require careful scrutiny to ensure value.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
High contract value
Lack of competition

Positive Signals

Essential service for DOJ operations

Sector Analysis

Legal services, particularly specialized expert witness testimony, are crucial for litigation. Spending in this area can vary widely based on case complexity and agency needs. Benchmarks are difficult due to unique case requirements.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as Bates White, LLC is a large firm. Opportunities for small businesses in specialized legal support services are often limited.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the services are necessary and priced appropriately. Robust justification for the lack of competition is essential.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
High contract value
Potential for cost creep
Limited transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $13.5 million to BATES WHITE, LLC. EXPERT WITNESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BATES WHITE, 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 $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What specific expertise does Bates White, LLC provide that justifies a sole-source award?

The justification for a sole-source award typically rests on unique qualifications, specialized knowledge, or proprietary methodologies that only a specific contractor can provide. For expert witness services, this could involve highly niche scientific, economic, or technical expertise critical to a particular legal case that no other firm possesses.

How does the DOJ ensure cost-effectiveness in sole-source expert witness contracts?

Agencies often employ several strategies to ensure cost-effectiveness in sole-source contracts. This can include negotiating rates, setting clear performance expectations, requiring detailed billing, and conducting thorough reviews of invoices. Independent cost estimates or market research, even if not leading to competition, can also inform negotiation.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the DOJ's overall litigation budget?

A $13.5 million contract for expert witness services represents a significant allocation of resources. If not managed effectively or if costs escalate, it could strain the DOJ's litigation budget, potentially diverting funds from other critical legal functions or requiring budget adjustments.

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

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2001 K ST NW N BUILDING STE 500, WASHINGTON, DC, 20006

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,794,250

Exercised Options: $13,794,250

Current Obligation: $13,460,097

Actual Outlays: $12,627,430

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline