DOJ awards $2.66M contract for legal services to Myers & Stauffer LC, citing limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,662,280 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Myers & Stauffer LC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2021-04-06

End Date: 2027-04-05

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: LIT CONSULTANT

Place of Performance

Location: KANSAS CITY, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64112

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.7 million to MYERS & STAUFFER LC for work described as: LIT CONSULTANT Key points: 1. Contract Value: $2.66 million over 5 years. 2. Competition: Awarded on a limited basis, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Risk: Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Sector: Legal services, a critical but often complex area for government procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to market rates for similar legal consulting services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed, indicating potential sole-source or limited competition circumstances. This limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to secure the best possible price and value.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these legal services.

Public Impact

Citizens may question the fairness of awarding contracts without open competition. The use of Time and Materials contracts requires diligent oversight to prevent cost escalation. Transparency in procurement processes is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Time and Materials pricing
Lack of benchmark data

Positive Signals

Established vendor
Defined period of performance

Sector Analysis

Legal services are essential for government operations, covering areas like litigation support, regulatory compliance, and policy advice. Benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on specialization and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status necessitates close oversight by the Department of Justice to ensure the contractor delivers value and adheres to the terms of the Time and Materials contract.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials structure.
Lack of competitive pricing benchmarks.
Limited transparency in the procurement process.
Risk of vendor lock-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.7 million to MYERS & STAUFFER LC. LIT CONSULTANT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MYERS & STAUFFER LC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-06. End: 2027-04-05.

What specific circumstances justified the limited competition for these legal services?

The justification for limited competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such decisions are based on factors like urgent need, unique capabilities of a specific vendor, or the unavailability of other qualified sources. A thorough review of the contract file would be required to understand the rationale.

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

Effective cost control will rely on robust contract administration. This includes detailed monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs, along with regular performance reviews. Establishing clear milestones and deliverables, and potentially negotiating fixed-price elements for specific tasks, can also help manage costs.

What is the potential impact on service quality when contracts are awarded with limited competition?

While limited competition can sometimes lead to higher prices, it doesn't inherently compromise service quality. However, without the pressure of competitive bidding, there's a reduced incentive for the contractor to exceed expectations or innovate. The government must actively manage performance to ensure quality standards are met and maintained.

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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 700 W 47TH ST STE 1100, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64112

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,662,280

Exercised Options: $2,662,280

Current Obligation: $2,662,280

Actual Outlays: $2,602,304

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline