DOJ Awards $3.8M for Expert Witness Services to Engineering Systems Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $380,134 ($380.1K)

Contractor: Engineering Systems Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-06-24

End Date: 2027-12-31

Contract Duration: 920 days

Daily Burn Rate: $413/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: AURORA, DUPAGE County, ILLINOIS, 60504

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $380,134 to ENGINEERING SYSTEMS INC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for expert witness services in engineering. 2. Significant value of $3.8 million over approximately 3 years. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and price discovery. 4. Services fall under professional engineering services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Time and Materials award, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without knowing the specific services and rates, but the total value suggests a need for strong oversight.

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 for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $3.8 million contract means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential expert witness services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. Ensuring the necessity and scope of services is crucial for accountability. Potential for increased costs if not closely monitored.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 30 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials contract type
Lack of competition

Positive Signals

Specific need for expert witness services identified
Contract duration aligns with potential case needs

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically engineering services. Benchmarks for expert witness services can vary widely based on specialization and case complexity.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were considered or involved in this sole-source award, which is a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from the Department of Justice to ensure the services are necessary, performed efficiently, and billed appropriately.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns (T&M)
Limited small business participation
Oversight challenges for sole-source T&M contracts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $380,134 to ENGINEERING SYSTEMS INC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENGINEERING SYSTEMS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $380,134.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-24. End: 2027-12-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the necessity of Engineering Systems Inc. determined?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of other qualified sources. For this contract, the Department of Justice would need to document why Engineering Systems Inc. was the only viable option. Without this documentation, it's difficult to assess if the government received fair value or if competition was improperly excluded.

How will the Department of Justice ensure cost control and value for money with a Time and Materials contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

Controlling costs on a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially when sole-sourced, requires stringent oversight. The DOJ must closely monitor labor hours, rates, and direct costs. Establishing clear milestones, performance metrics, and regular audits are essential to prevent scope creep and ensure that the final cost reflects the actual value delivered and is not inflated due to the lack of competitive pressure.

What is the potential impact on future procurements if sole-source awards become common for specialized services like expert witnesses?

If sole-source awards become a pattern for specialized services, it could stifle competition in the long run. Contractors may have less incentive to innovate or offer competitive pricing if they anticipate sole-source awards. This could lead to higher overall government spending on such services and limit the pool of qualified vendors available for future competitive bids, potentially impacting the government's ability to secure the best expertise at the best price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: 4215 CAMPUS DR, AURORA, IL, 60504

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $380,134

Exercised Options: $380,134

Current Obligation: $380,134

Actual Outlays: $8,550

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline