DOJ awards $3.4M Time & Materials contract for Expert Witness services to Industrial Economics Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $34,558 ($34.6K)
Contractor: Industrial Economics Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-08
End Date: 2031-02-01
Contract Duration: 1,760 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20/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: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02140
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $34,558 to INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS INC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns. 3. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services', a broad category. 4. Long contract duration (2026-2031) may not reflect current market needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which offers less price certainty than fixed-price contracts. Without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if the $3.4M ceiling represents a fair market price for the estimated 1760 days of service.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was 'NOT COMPETED', indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid and offer competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition and use of a Time and Materials contract may result in higher overall spending for the Department of Justice compared to a competitively bid, fixed-price contract.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The broad 'All Other Legal Services' category makes it hard to track specific spending effectiveness. Long-term reliance on a single vendor could stifle innovation in legal support services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Time and Materials pricing
- Long contract duration
- Broad service category
Positive Signals
- Specific vendor identified
- Clear contract end date
Sector Analysis
Legal services, particularly expert witness testimony, are crucial for litigation and regulatory matters. Benchmarks for such services vary widely based on specialization and duration, making direct comparison difficult without more detail on the specific expertise required.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were considered or involved in this contract, suggesting a potential missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for sole-source procurement was sound and that the pricing is reasonable. Accountability for the expenditure rests with the Department of Justice contracting officers.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overspending due to Time and Materials contract.
- Lack of competitive bidding limits price discovery.
- Long contract duration may not be cost-effective.
- Absence of small business participation.
- Lack of transparency regarding specific expertise and rates.
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, ma, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $34,558 to INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS INC. EXPERT WITNESS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS 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 $34,558.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2031-02-01.
What specific expertise does Industrial Economics Inc. provide as an expert witness, and how does this justify a sole-source award?
The provided data lacks specifics on the expert witness's field of expertise. A sole-source award typically requires a compelling justification, such as unique qualifications, specialized knowledge, or urgent need that only one vendor can fulfill. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the value proposition.
What is the estimated hourly or daily rate for this Time and Materials contract, and how does it compare to market rates for similar expert witness services?
The data does not provide specific hourly or daily rates, only a total ceiling of $3.4M for 1760 days. To assess risk, these rates would need to be benchmarked against industry standards for expert witnesses in the relevant field, considering the vendor's qualifications and the complexity of the cases.
How will the effectiveness and value of the expert witness services be measured throughout the contract's duration?
Effectiveness measurement for expert witness services is often qualitative, focusing on the clarity of testimony, impact on case outcomes, and adherence to deadlines. The Department of Justice should have performance metrics in place to track these aspects and ensure the value derived from the $3.4M expenditure aligns with legal objectives.
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: 2067 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02140
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $34,558
Exercised Options: $34,558
Current Obligation: $34,558
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-08
Current End Date: 2031-02-01
Potential End Date: 2031-02-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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