DOJ awards $14.99M sole-source contract for expert witness services to Martin Cannon
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,991 ($15.0K)
Contractor: Martin Cannon
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-08
End Date: 2029-04-07
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS/LITIGATIVE CASE SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: LITTLE ROCK, PULASKI County, ARKANSAS, 72205
State: Arkansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $14,991 to MARTIN CANNON for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS/LITIGATIVE CASE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competition. 2. Services are categorized under 'All Other Legal Services'. 3. The contract duration is 3 years with a total value of $14.99M. 4. This is a Time and Materials contract type.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is sole-source, making direct pricing comparisons difficult. Without competition, it's hard to ascertain if the Time and Materials pricing is optimal or if a fixed-price approach could have yielded better value.
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 process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being spent without the benefit of competitive bidding, which may result in a less efficient use of resources.
Public Impact
Citizens may question the lack of competition for legal support services. Transparency in sole-source awards is crucial for public trust. The specific nature of 'expert witness' services can be sensitive and require specialized expertise.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Time and Materials pricing
Positive Signals
- Specific expertise may be required
- Clear contract end date
Sector Analysis
Legal services, particularly expert witness support, are critical for litigation. Benchmarks for such specialized services can vary widely based on expertise and case complexity.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were considered or involved in this sole-source award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is needed to ensure the justification for the sole-source award is robust and that the services provided are necessary and cost-effective.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Potential for reduced transparency and accountability.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, ar, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $14,991 to MARTIN CANNON. EXPERT WITNESS/LITIGATIVE CASE SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MARTIN CANNON.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14,991.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2029-04-07.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves a determination that only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary knowledge, or urgent and compelling circumstances. A thorough review of the agency's documentation would be required to confirm the specific rationale.
How does the Time and Materials pricing structure mitigate risk for the government?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts generally carry higher risk for the government as costs are not fixed. While they can be useful when the scope of work is uncertain, they require diligent oversight to control labor hours and material costs. Without clear performance metrics or cost ceilings, the government may overpay.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the Department of Justice's litigation effectiveness?
The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the quality and expertise of Martin Cannon as an expert witness. If they provide crucial, credible testimony or analysis that strengthens the DOJ's cases, it could significantly enhance litigation outcomes. However, the sole-source nature raises questions about whether equally effective, potentially more cost-efficient, alternatives were overlooked.
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: 4415 N LOOKOUT ST, LITTLE ROCK, AR, 72205
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,991
Exercised Options: $14,991
Current Obligation: $14,991
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-08
Current End Date: 2029-04-07
Potential End Date: 2029-04-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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