DOJ awards $2M for expert witness services to GRADCO LLC via purchase order, ending Dec 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,012,460 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Gradco LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-09-25

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,193 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/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: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02108

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.0 million to GRADCO LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to GRADCO LLC for expert witness services. 2. Total award value is $2,012,459.75. 3. Contract duration is 1193 days, ending December 31, 2026. 4. NAICS code 541199 indicates 'All Other Legal Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's pricing is based on time and materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Without competitive bidding, 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: sole-source

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

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The lack of competition raises concerns about the efficient use of these funds.

Public Impact

Citizens may be unaware of the specific legal services procured and their necessity. The use of sole-source contracts can reduce transparency in government spending. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive pressure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Time and materials pricing
Potential for cost overruns

Positive Signals

Specific legal services procured
Clear contract end date

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under legal services, a sector that often requires specialized expertise. Benchmarks for legal services can vary widely based on the complexity and duration of the engagement.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for time and materials contracts to ensure costs remain within reasonable limits and services are necessary. The Department of Justice is responsible for this oversight.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Time and materials contract type
Potential for cost escalation
Limited transparency on service specifics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.0 million to GRADCO LLC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GRADCO 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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-25. End: 2026-12-31.

What specific expert witness services are being provided, and why was competition deemed impractical?

The specific expert witness services are not detailed in the provided data. However, a sole-source award typically implies that only one vendor possesses the unique qualifications, capabilities, or proprietary information necessary for the service, or that urgency precludes a competitive process. Further justification from the agency would be needed to validate these reasons.

What measures are in place to control costs under the time and materials pricing structure?

Given the time and materials (T&M) pricing, robust oversight mechanisms are essential. This includes detailed tracking of labor hours, rates, and material costs, along with regular reviews and approvals by the contracting officer. Establishing not-to-exceed (NTE) limits within the contract can also serve as a cost control measure.

How does the $2M award compare to typical spending for similar expert witness services?

Without knowing the specific nature of the expert witness services (e.g., forensic accounting, technical expertise, medical testimony), a direct comparison is challenging. However, $2 million over approximately four years for specialized legal support suggests a significant engagement. Benchmarking would require detailed service descriptions and market research on comparable contracts.

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: 1 BEACON ST, BOSTON, MA, 02108

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: $2,012,460

Exercised Options: $2,012,460

Current Obligation: $2,012,460

Actual Outlays: $1,808,195

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline