IRS Chief Counsel Contracts Brattle Group $2.89M for Expert Witness Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,892,189 ($2.9M)
Contractor: THE Brattle Group Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury
Start Date: 2025-07-10
End Date: 2030-07-09
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES IN FINANCE CONSULTATION FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CHIEF COUNSEL TRACS0003542 APPROVED 6/26/25
Place of Performance
Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02108
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Treasury obligated $2.9 million to THE BRATTLE GROUP INC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES IN FINANCE CONSULTATION FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CHIEF COUNSEL TRACS0003542 APPROVED 6/26/25 Key points: 1. The contract is for expert witness services in financial consultation. 2. The Brattle Group Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 5 years. 4. The NAICS code 541690 falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $2.89M over 5 years for expert witness services is difficult to assess without specific deliverables. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized financial consultation is challenging due to the unique nature of expert witness roles.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible value for these specialized services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the sole-source nature of the award. The IRS relies on specialized expertise for complex financial litigation. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Specialized expertise for IRS legal needs
Sector Analysis
The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' sector is broad, encompassing highly specialized fields. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific service details, but expert witness services can command high rates.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a large business (The Brattle Group Inc.) and does not appear to include any provisions for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery. The IRS Chief Counsel's office is responsible for managing this contract.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of the Treasury Contracting
- Internal Revenue Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition.
- Long contract duration may not reflect evolving needs.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-the-treasury, ma, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Treasury awarded $2.9 million to THE BRATTLE GROUP INC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES IN FINANCE CONSULTATION FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CHIEF COUNSEL TRACS0003542 APPROVED 6/26/25
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE BRATTLE GROUP INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-10. End: 2030-07-09.
What specific financial consultation expertise does The Brattle Group provide that justifies a sole-source award?
The specific expertise likely relates to highly specialized financial analysis, economic modeling, or forensic accounting required for complex tax litigation. This could include valuation disputes, transfer pricing issues, or other intricate financial matters where The Brattle Group possesses unique qualifications or a proven track record with the IRS.
What is the risk of inflated costs due to the sole-source nature of this contract?
The primary risk is that without competitive bidding, The Brattle Group may not have been incentivized to offer the most cost-effective rates. The IRS may have paid more than necessary, as there was no market pressure to reduce prices. This necessitates strong internal oversight to ensure the labor hours and rates are reasonable.
How will the effectiveness of these expert witness services be measured to ensure value for taxpayers?
Effectiveness will likely be measured by the successful resolution of cases where their expertise is applied, the quality of their reports and testimony, and adherence to project timelines and budgets. The IRS Chief Counsel's office should establish clear performance metrics and conduct regular reviews of the services provided.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting 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: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 BEACON ST, BOSTON, MA, 02108
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,892,189
Exercised Options: $2,892,189
Current Obligation: $2,892,189
Actual Outlays: $90,415
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-10
Current End Date: 2030-07-09
Potential End Date: 2030-07-09 06:43:41
Last Modified: 2026-01-22
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