DOJ awards $3.9M for Expert Witness services to Bates White, LLC via sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,945,067 ($3.9M)

Contractor: Bates White, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2021-10-29

End Date: 2026-03-13

Contract Duration: 1,596 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/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: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $3.9 million to BATES WHITE, LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. High value contract for specialized legal services. 2. Sole-source award limits competition and potentially price discovery. 3. Risk of overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Legal services sector often relies on specialized expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $3.9M for expert witness services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is fair market value compared to similar services procured competitively.

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 may lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to offer the best price.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this significant contract raises concerns about potential overspending of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying a premium for expert witness services due to the absence of competition. The Department of Justice relies on these services, impacting the efficiency of legal proceedings. Specialized legal support is crucial for complex cases, but procurement methods matter for cost-effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

Essential service for DOJ
Long-term contract provides stability

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the legal services sector, specifically focusing on expert witness testimony. Spending in this area can vary widely depending on the complexity and volume of litigation.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Bates White, LLC, is not identified as a small business. There is no indication of small business participation in this sole-source contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the Department of Justice obtained fair value and that such awards are justified and not a pattern.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for price inflation
Limited transparency on justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $3.9 million to BATES WHITE, LLC. EXPERT WITNESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BATES WHITE, 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 $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-29. End: 2026-03-13.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or circumstances where only one vendor can meet the requirement. For expert witness services, this might relate to specific industry expertise or established relationships crucial for ongoing litigation. However, without detailed documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise rationale.

What is the risk associated with a sole-source contract for expert witness services?

The primary risk is the potential for paying a higher price than if the contract were competed. Without competitive bids, the vendor has less incentive to offer the lowest possible price. Additionally, there's a risk that the government might not be aware of other qualified vendors who could provide similar services, potentially at a better value or with different strengths.

How does this contract's pricing compare to market benchmarks for similar services?

Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific expertise and scope of services provided. However, given the $3.9M value and sole-source nature, it's crucial to benchmark against publicly available data for similar expert witness engagements. If Bates White, LLC's rates are significantly higher than those of comparable firms for similar tasks, it indicates potential overpricing.

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: 2001 K ST NW N BUILDING STE 500, WASHINGTON, DC, 20006

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: $3,945,067

Exercised Options: $3,945,067

Current Obligation: $3,945,067

Actual Outlays: $3,949,202

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline