DOJ awards $2.5M sole-source contract for expert witness services to Analysis Group Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,504,194 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Analysis Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2021-04-14

End Date: 2028-02-01

Contract Duration: 2,484 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02199

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.5 million to ANALYSIS GROUP INC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about competition and potential value. 2. The contract duration of approximately 2484 days (nearly 7 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. 3. The primary service category is 'All Other Legal Services,' indicating specialized expertise. 4. The contract type is 'Time and Materials,' which can pose cost control challenges if not closely managed. 5. The award was a Purchase Order, typically used for smaller procurements, but this one is substantial. 6. The contractor, Analysis Group Inc., is likely a specialized firm with a strong track record in expert witness testimony.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of expert witness services is challenging without specific details on the scope of work and the expertise required. However, a $2.5 million award over nearly seven years, especially when awarded sole-source, warrants scrutiny. The Time and Materials pricing structure means costs could escalate if not carefully monitored. Without comparison to similar sole-source awards for comparable services, it's difficult to definitively assess value, but the lack of competition inherently limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price.

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 conduct a competitive bidding process. This typically occurs when only one vendor is capable of providing the required services, often due to unique qualifications, intellectual property, or urgent needs. The lack of competition means that the government did not explore potential alternative providers or negotiate based on multiple offers, which could impact the final price and service terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses to compete for government contracts and can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized legal expertise to support its cases. The services provided are crucial for litigation and legal proceedings, potentially impacting case outcomes. The geographic impact is national, as the Department of Justice operates across the United States. The contract supports highly skilled professionals in the legal services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential for better value.
Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Long contract duration (nearly 7 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued necessity and value.
Lack of transparency on the specific services and justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Award to a likely specialized firm suggests access to critical expertise.
Long-term contract indicates a stable and ongoing need for these services within the DOJ.
The specific NAICS code (541199) points to a defined, albeit broad, service category.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector is a significant component of government contracting, encompassing a wide range of support functions for federal agencies. This contract falls under 'All Other Legal Services,' a broad category that can include specialized consulting, expert testimony, and litigation support. The market for expert witnesses is often niche, with specific firms and individuals possessing unique qualifications and experience. Government spending in this area is driven by the volume and complexity of legal cases undertaken by agencies like the Department of Justice.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of expert witness services, it is likely that the primary contractor is a larger, specialized firm. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, so the impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, but likely minimal unless specific subcontracts are required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers. As a sole-source award, the justification and necessity for the services would be subject to internal review. Transparency could be enhanced by making the justification for the sole-source award publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Litigation Support Contracts
Federal Expert Witness Services
Legal Consulting Services
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Long contract duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.5 million to ANALYSIS GROUP INC. EXPERT WITNESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANALYSIS GROUP 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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-14. End: 2028-02-01.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Analysis Group Inc.?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT COMPETED,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards are justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. This could be due to unique qualifications, specialized expertise, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements where a competitive process would be impractical or detrimental. For expert witness services, it often relates to a specific individual's or firm's established expertise in a niche field relevant to a particular legal case. A full justification would normally be documented by the agency and potentially made public, depending on the circumstances and classification.

How does the $2.5 million value compare to other expert witness contracts awarded by the federal government?

Comparing this $2.5 million contract value requires context on the duration and scope of services. The contract spans nearly seven years (2484 days), making the annual value approximately $360,000. Expert witness services can vary significantly in cost depending on the complexity of the case, the required expertise, and the duration of involvement. Some high-profile or complex litigation can involve expert witness costs running into millions of dollars over shorter periods. Conversely, routine or less complex cases might be handled for tens of thousands of dollars. Without knowing the specific legal matters this contract supports, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $360,000 annually for specialized legal support is within the plausible range for federal agencies engaged in significant litigation.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for expert witness services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to Analysis Group Inc., carry inherent risks related to cost control. In a T&M contract, the government pays the contractor for the actual labor hours expended (at specified hourly rates) and the actual cost of materials used. The primary risk is that the contractor may not have a strong incentive to control costs or be efficient, as their profit is tied to the amount of time and resources consumed. This can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined or if the contractor's efforts are not closely monitored. For expert witness services, this means the government must meticulously track hours billed and ensure that the work performed is necessary and efficient. Robust oversight and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of Analysis Group Inc. in providing expert witness services to the federal government?

While the provided data identifies Analysis Group Inc. as the contractor, it does not detail their specific track record with the federal government or in providing expert witness services. However, Analysis Group is a well-known economic, financial, and litigation consulting firm that frequently provides expert testimony and litigation support services. Their engagement by the Department of Justice suggests they possess the requisite qualifications and experience deemed necessary for the agency's legal proceedings. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would likely reveal other contracts awarded to Analysis Group Inc. by various federal agencies, providing a more comprehensive view of their performance history and areas of expertise.

How does the duration of this contract (nearly 7 years) impact its overall value and oversight requirements?

The nearly seven-year duration of this contract signifies a long-term, potentially critical need for the expert witness services within the Department of Justice. From a value perspective, a longer duration can sometimes allow for economies of scale or more predictable budgeting. However, it also extends the period during which costs are incurred, making diligent oversight paramount. The government must ensure that the services remain necessary and that the contractor continues to provide value at the agreed-upon rates throughout the contract's life. Periodic reviews of the contract's performance, the continued relevance of the services, and market rates for similar expertise are essential to ensure the government is receiving fair value over the extended term. Unforeseen changes in litigation needs or the availability of alternative solutions could also impact the long-term value proposition.

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: 111 HUNTINGTON AVE FL 14, BOSTON, MA, 02199

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,504,194

Exercised Options: $2,504,194

Current Obligation: $2,504,194

Actual Outlays: $143,731

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline