DOJ awards $6.7M contract for expert witness services to Berkeley Research Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $666,950 ($667.0K)

Contractor: Berkeley Research Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-02-02

End Date: 2029-02-01

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $365/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: EMERYVILLE, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94608

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $666,950 to BERKELEY RESEARCH GROUP, LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. High contract value for specialized legal services. 2. Limited competition due to specialized nature of services. 3. Potential risk of cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is for expert witness services, a niche area. Benchmarking is difficult without specific task details, but the duration and value suggest a significant need. Time and Materials pricing introduces risk if not closely managed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition approach. This method may lead to higher prices as there is no competitive pressure to drive down costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition for these specialized legal services.

Public Impact

Essential legal support for Department of Justice cases. Potential for significant financial outlay over the contract term. Impact on case outcomes may depend on the quality of expert testimony.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Time and Materials pricing
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Essential service for DOJ
Experienced contractor

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199). Spending in this sector can vary widely based on litigation needs. The contract value is substantial for this category.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Berkeley Research Group, LLC, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to manage the Time and Materials aspect of the contract, ensuring that costs remain reasonable and that the services provided are necessary and effective for the Department of Justice's needs.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for cost overruns due to T&M
Long contract duration (5 years)
Limited transparency on specific services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $666,950 to BERKELEY RESEARCH GROUP, LLC. EXPERT WITNESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BERKELEY RESEARCH GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $666,950.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-02. End: 2029-02-01.

What specific expertise does Berkeley Research Group, LLC provide as an expert witness, and how does this justify a sole-source award?

The specific expertise is not detailed in the provided data. However, sole-source awards are typically justified when a contractor possesses unique qualifications, capabilities, or proprietary information essential for the government's needs that cannot be obtained from other sources. Further justification would likely be found in the contract's Justification and Approval (J&A) document.

What measures are in place to control costs under the Time and Materials pricing structure for this $6.7 million contract?

Effective cost control under Time and Materials (T&M) contracts relies on robust oversight, clear task definitions, and established labor rates. The Department of Justice should implement regular reviews of hours billed and personnel rates, ensure tasks are well-defined to prevent scope creep, and potentially set cost ceilings or milestones to manage overall expenditure.

How will the effectiveness of the expert witness services be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?

Effectiveness can be measured through several means. This includes the impact of the expert testimony on case outcomes, client satisfaction from the DOJ attorneys, adherence to deadlines, and the clarity and quality of reports and depositions. Performance metrics and regular feedback loops with the contracting officer's representative are essential.

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: 2200 POWELL ST STE 1200, EMERYVILLE, CA, 94608

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $666,950

Exercised Options: $666,950

Current Obligation: $666,950

Actual Outlays: $359,046

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline