DOJ awards $4.3M for Expert Witness Services to Bates White, LLC via sole-source purchase order
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,340,530 ($4.3M)
Contractor: Bates White, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2022-10-21
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,348 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $4.3 million to BATES WHITE, LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. High value contract for specialized legal support services. 2. Sole-source award limits competition and potentially impacts price discovery. 3. Contract duration extends over four years, indicating long-term need. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Pricing is based on Time and Materials, which can be difficult to benchmark without detailed labor rates and hours. The total award amount of $4.3M over 4 years suggests a significant but not exceptionally high annual spend for expert witness services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits opportunities for other qualified firms to bid and may result in less competitive pricing than if multiple bids were solicited.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for expert witness services, which are crucial for legal proceedings but represent a direct cost without immediate tangible return.
Public Impact
Essential legal support for Department of Justice cases. Potential for high hourly rates impacting overall cost. Ensures access to specialized knowledge for litigation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Time and Materials pricing
Positive Signals
- Essential service for legal proceedings
- Experienced contractor
Sector Analysis
Legal services, particularly expert witness testimony, are critical for government litigation. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the complexity and volume of cases. This contract represents a significant investment in specialized legal support.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Bates White, LLC, which is not identified as a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were considered or subcontracted for these specialized services.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants oversight to ensure fair pricing and necessity. Tracking the utilization of services and associated costs will be key for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to higher costs.
- Time and Materials contract offers less cost certainty.
- Potential for scope creep without strict management.
- Limited transparency on specific expert qualifications.
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, dc, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $4.3 million to BATES WHITE, LLC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES
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 $4.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-10-21. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the typical hourly rate for expert witnesses in this field, and how does Bates White, LLC's rate compare?
Benchmarking expert witness rates requires access to specific labor categories and experience levels, which are not provided in the data. However, rates can range significantly, from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars per hour depending on the expert's specialization and reputation. A Time and Materials contract necessitates careful monitoring of hours billed against agreed-upon rates to ensure value.
What specific expertise does Bates White, LLC provide that justifies a sole-source award?
A sole-source award typically implies that only one contractor possesses the unique qualifications, specialized knowledge, or proprietary technology required for the service. For expert witness services, this could involve highly niche scientific, economic, or technical expertise critical to specific Department of Justice cases that other firms cannot replicate.
How will the Department of Justice ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential overbilling under this Time and Materials contract?
The DOJ can implement robust oversight mechanisms, including detailed review of invoices, requiring justification for hours billed, setting not-to-exceed limits for specific tasks or phases, and conducting periodic performance reviews. Establishing clear deliverables and milestones can also help manage costs and ensure the services provided are necessary and effective.
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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
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: $4,340,530
Exercised Options: $4,340,530
Current Obligation: $4,340,530
Actual Outlays: $3,701,594
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-10-21
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-20
More Contracts from Bates White, LLC
- Expert Witness — $13.5M (Department of Justice)
- Expert Witness — $3.9M (Department of Justice)
- NEW Expert Witness Award - Execution of Phase ONE With T&M — $3.5M (Department of the Treasury)
- IRS Expert Witnesses That IS Capable of Providing Litigation Support for Cases Involving IRS Audit Defense, Perform Forensic Accounting Services, And/Or Assist in TAX Abatement — $3.4M (Department of the Treasury)
- Expert Services — $2.1M (Federal Trade Commission)
Other Department of Justice Contracts
- Contractor Owned and Operated Existing Correctional Facility for Approximately 3,500 LOW Security Male Inmates — $794.5M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)
- Detention Services - SAN Diego — $776.9M (THE GEO Group, Inc.)
- CO: Telly Renfroe Award of NEW Task Order Base Year Initial Funding — $616.4M (AT&T Enterprises, LLC)
- TAS 151060 - Services for the Management and Operation of a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated, Correctional Facility for 2,567 Beds in Adams County, Mississippi — $574.3M (Corecivic, Inc.)
- Provide Services for the Management and Operation of a Correctional Facility in Accordance With Rfp-Pcc-0014 — $568.9M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)