DOJ awards $42.8M to Martin Ottaway Van Hemmen & Dolan for expert witness services via sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,831 ($42.8K)

Contractor: Martin Ottaway VAN Hemmen & Dolan, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-02-27

End Date: 2027-12-31

Contract Duration: 672 days

Daily Burn Rate: $64/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: TINTON FALLS, MONMOUTH County, NEW JERSEY, 07701

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $42,831 to MARTIN OTTAWAY VAN HEMMEN & DOLAN, INC. for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. High value contract for specialized expert witness services. 2. Sole-source award limits competition and potentially impacts price discovery. 3. Long duration (672 days) suggests significant ongoing need. 4. Engineering services (NAICS 541330) indicate technical expertise required.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing is based on Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking is difficult without specific task orders and rates.

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 higher costs than a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are committed without a competitive process to ensure the best value.

Public Impact

Citizens may question the lack of competition for significant federal spending. The need for specialized engineering expertise highlights critical government functions. Transparency in sole-source contract justifications is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 64 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Specialized expertise required
Clear agency and service description

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically engineering services. Benchmarks for expert witness services can vary widely based on specialization and duration.

Small Business Impact

No indication of small business participation in this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to manage the Time and Materials aspect of this contract and ensure the services provided are necessary and cost-effective.

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)
Long contract duration
Limited transparency on justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $42,831 to MARTIN OTTAWAY VAN HEMMEN & DOLAN, INC.. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARTIN OTTAWAY VAN HEMMEN & DOLAN, 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 $42,831.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-27. End: 2027-12-31.

What specific engineering expertise is required that necessitates a sole-source award?

The specific engineering expertise required likely pertains to highly specialized technical knowledge or litigation support within the Department of Justice's legal cases. A sole-source justification would typically detail why only this particular firm possesses the unique qualifications, experience, or proprietary knowledge essential for the government's needs, making competition impractical or detrimental to the mission.

How will the Department of Justice ensure cost-effectiveness with a Time and Materials contract awarded without competition?

The DOJ must implement rigorous oversight mechanisms, including detailed task order management, regular performance reviews, and strict adherence to pre-negotiated hourly rates and ceilings. Independent cost analysis and comparison with industry standards for similar services, even if not directly competitive, will be essential to mitigate potential cost overruns and ensure value for taxpayer money.

What is the potential impact on future competition for similar expert witness services?

A sole-source award, especially for a significant duration and value, can discourage other firms from developing capabilities or bidding on future solicitations if they perceive the market as closed. This could lead to a less dynamic and potentially more expensive market for expert witness services in the long run.

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

Parent Company: Martin Ottaway VAN Hemmen & Dolan Inc.

Address: 620 SHREWSBURY AVE, TINTON FALLS, NJ, 07701

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,831

Exercised Options: $42,831

Current Obligation: $42,831

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline