DOJ awards $15M sole-source purchase order to LIT CONSULTANT for professional services through April 2027

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,982 ($15.0K)

Contractor: Myers & Stauffer LC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-08

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $41/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

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 $14,981.5 to MYERS & STAUFFER LC for work described as: LIT CONSULTANT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via sole-source justification, raising questions about potential cost savings from competition. 2. The contract's time-and-materials pricing structure may lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 3. Limited competition suggests a potential lack of market pressure on pricing and service innovation. 4. The duration of the contract (364 days) is standard for this type of procurement. 5. The specific services provided under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' require further clarification for full impact assessment. 6. The contractor, MYERS & STAUFFER LC, has a track record that warrants review for performance and past pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $15M contract is challenging without detailed service descriptions and performance metrics. As a sole-source award, direct comparisons to competitively bid contracts are not feasible. The time-and-materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously monitored. Without insight into the specific tasks and expected outcomes, assessing whether the price reflects fair market value is difficult. Further analysis of the contractor's historical performance and pricing on similar engagements would be beneficial.

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 offers from multiple potential contractors. This approach is typically justified when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement, or in specific emergency situations. The lack of competition means that taxpayers did not benefit from the price discovery and potential cost efficiencies that typically arise from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to competitively procured contracts, as there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized professional, scientific, and technical services to support its operations. The contract aims to deliver essential support functions for the Offices, Boards and Divisions within the DOJ. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting federal government functions. Workforce implications are tied to the specific expertise required for the services rendered, potentially augmenting federal staff capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential for cost savings.
Time-and-materials pricing structure poses a risk of cost overruns without strict oversight.
Lack of transparency in specific service deliverables hinders full value assessment.
Contractor's past performance and pricing on similar contracts need thorough review.

Positive Signals

Award to a single, potentially specialized provider may ensure specific expertise is met.
Purchase order mechanism allows for flexibility in tasking and delivery.
Contract duration provides stability for service delivery over a defined period.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is broad and encompasses a wide range of specialized expertise. This contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' Spending in this category is substantial across the federal government, supporting diverse mission requirements. Benchmarking this specific award requires understanding the niche services provided and comparing them to similar specialized contracts, which are often awarded on a sole-source or limited-competition basis due to unique requirements.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were explicitly mandated or explored through a competitive process. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine any potential impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined within the purchase order terms and conditions, focusing on service delivery and adherence to the time-and-materials agreement. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the broad categorization of services. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Professional Services Schedule (PSS)
All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Justice Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time-and-materials pricing
Lack of defined scope for services
Potential for cost overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $14,981.5 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 $14,981.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-08.

What is the specific nature of the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' being procured?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This is a broad category that can encompass a wide array of specialized support functions not classified elsewhere. Without further details from the contract award documentation, it is impossible to ascertain the precise services. These could range from specialized research and analysis, expert consulting, technical assistance, or other unique professional support required by the Department of Justice's Offices, Boards and Divisions. Understanding the specific deliverables is crucial for assessing value and performance.

What is the justification for the sole-source award to MYERS & STAUFFER LC?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. The Department of Justice would have had to formally document and justify this sole-source determination. Without access to that justification, it is presumed that the agency determined MYERS & STAUFFER LC was the only viable option for the services required, potentially due to unique expertise, proprietary knowledge, or a critical existing relationship.

How does the time-and-materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Time-and-materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. They reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. While offering flexibility, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns for the government compared to fixed-price contracts, as the total cost is not predetermined. For well-defined services, fixed-price contracts are generally preferred for better cost control. The suitability of T&M for this DOJ contract depends heavily on the nature of the services and the agency's ability to closely monitor labor hours and material costs.

What is the track record of MYERS & STAUFFER LC with the federal government, particularly for similar services?

MYERS & STAUFFER LC is a known entity in government contracting, often providing specialized financial and management consulting services. To assess their track record for this specific $15M contract, a review of their past performance ratings on federal contracts, any past performance issues or disputes, and their pricing history on similar engagements would be necessary. Information on their success in delivering services within budget and schedule on previous federal awards would provide critical context for evaluating the current sole-source award and its potential risks and benefits.

What are the potential risks associated with a $15M sole-source contract awarded on a time-and-materials basis?

The primary risks associated with this contract are the lack of competitive pressure on pricing and the potential for cost escalation inherent in a time-and-materials (T&M) structure. Without competition, there's less incentive for the contractor to offer the most cost-effective solution. The T&M model means costs are driven by hours worked and materials used, which can lead to higher-than-expected expenditures if not meticulously managed and overseen by the government. Furthermore, the broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category makes it difficult to establish clear performance benchmarks and assess true value for money without detailed oversight.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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: 700 W 47TH ST, 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: $14,982

Exercised Options: $14,982

Current Obligation: $14,982

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline