DOJ awards $665K expert witness contract to Myers & Stauffer LC for legal services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $664,726 ($664.7K)

Contractor: Myers & Stauffer LC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2021-04-07

End Date: 2027-04-07

Contract Duration: 2,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $303/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS

Place of Performance

Location: KANSAS CITY, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64112

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $664,726.19 to MYERS & STAUFFER LC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Time and materials pricing structure may lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 3. The contract duration of 5 years suggests a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541199 indicates a focus on 'All Other Legal Services'. 5. The award value is relatively modest for a multi-year federal contract, suggesting a specific, focused need. 6. Lack of competition raises concerns about achieving the best possible value for taxpayer funds.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of expert witness services is challenging due to the highly specialized nature of the work and the variability in case complexity. However, the sole-source nature of this award means direct price comparisons with other bids are impossible. The time and materials (T&M) pricing model, while common for services where scope can be unpredictable, carries inherent risks of cost escalation. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to definitively assess if this rate represents optimal value for money, though the overall award amount is not exceptionally high for a 5-year engagement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of Justice did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique qualifications or capabilities required for the service, or in specific emergency situations. The absence of competition means that the government did not benefit from a range of price proposals or the potential for innovative solutions that a competitive process might yield.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. It also limits transparency in pricing and vendor selection.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Justice's legal teams who will receive specialized expert witness support. The services delivered will aid in litigation and legal proceedings requiring expert testimony. The geographic impact is national, supporting federal legal cases across the United States. The contract supports specialized legal professionals, potentially impacting the legal services workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential value.
Time and materials contract type poses risk of cost overruns.
Lack of transparency in vendor selection due to sole-source nature.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a specific legal service need within the DOJ.
Myers & Stauffer LC is a known entity in professional services, suggesting some level of established capability.
The contract duration indicates a recognized, ongoing requirement for these services.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector within the federal government is vast, encompassing a wide range of support functions from administrative law to complex litigation. Expert witness services are a critical component of this sector, particularly in cases requiring specialized knowledge in areas like accounting, economics, or scientific fields. While specific market size data for federal expert witness contracts is not readily available, the overall federal legal services market is substantial. This contract fits within the 'All Other Legal Services' category, suggesting a niche but important function.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award to a specific firm, it is unlikely to involve subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless Myers & Stauffer LC voluntarily engages them. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore minimal for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's contracting and legal divisions. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract and the effective management of the time and materials expenditure. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details are typically available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Legal Services
Expert Witness Services
Department of Justice Contracts
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and materials pricing
Lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $664,726.19 to MYERS & STAUFFER LC. EXPERT WITNESS

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 $664,726.19.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-07. End: 2027-04-07.

What is the track record of Myers & Stauffer LC with the federal government?

Myers & Stauffer LC has a history of performing professional services contracts with various federal agencies. While specific details on all past contracts require deeper database searches, their presence in the federal contracting space suggests experience in delivering services that meet government requirements. Their specialization in areas like healthcare consulting and accounting positions them for roles requiring financial and analytical expertise, which often overlaps with expert witness functions. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and contract completion history to assess reliability and quality of service.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar expert witness contracts?

Direct comparison of this $665,000 contract value is difficult without knowing the specific nature of the expert services required and the duration of similar contracts. Expert witness services can range dramatically in cost depending on the complexity of the case, the required expertise (e.g., scientific, financial, medical), and the reputation of the expert. Given this is a sole-source award for a 5-year period, the annual average is approximately $133,000. This figure needs to be benchmarked against the typical rates for similar specialized legal support services within the federal government, considering the specific domain expertise provided by Myers & Stauffer LC.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source, time-and-materials contract?

The primary risks are twofold. First, the sole-source nature eliminates competitive pressure, potentially leading to a higher price than could be achieved through open competition. The government may not be getting the best possible value for its money. Second, the time-and-materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, carries the risk of cost escalation. Without a fixed ceiling or well-defined scope, the contractor could incur significant hours, driving up the total cost beyond initial expectations. Robust oversight and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the Department of Justice likely to be in managing this contract?

The effectiveness of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in managing this contract hinges on its internal oversight capabilities. For a sole-source T&M contract, strong contract administration is paramount. This includes diligent monitoring of hours worked, ensuring the work performed is necessary and reasonable, and verifying that the rates charged are fair. The DOJ's Offices, Boards and Divisions (OBD) is responsible for this oversight. Their experience with managing similar professional services contracts and the resources allocated to contract management will be key determinants of success in controlling costs and ensuring the required expert services are delivered efficiently.

What are the historical spending patterns for expert witness services within the DOJ?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for expert witness services within the DOJ would require access to comprehensive federal procurement data over several fiscal years. Such an analysis would reveal trends in contract awards, average contract values, common contractors, and the prevalence of sole-source versus competitive solicitations. Understanding these patterns can help contextualize the current award, identify potential areas for cost savings through increased competition, or highlight consistent reliance on specific service providers for particular types of expertise.

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: $664,726

Exercised Options: $664,726

Current Obligation: $664,726

Actual Outlays: $596,020

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline