Justice Department awards $4.9M contract for biomechanical engineering services to Rimkus Consulting Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,946 ($4.9K)

Contractor: Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-08-15

End Date: 2026-08-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEER YRG$ R25FLS-08147

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77079

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $4,945.5 to RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC. for work described as: BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEER YRG$ R25FLS-08147 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Duration of 364 days suggests a focused, short-term need. 3. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services,' indicating specialized support. 4. Awarded as a purchase order, typically for smaller or simpler acquisitions. 5. Texas-based contractor suggests potential regional focus for services. 6. No small business set-aside indicates potential for larger firm engagement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $4.9 million for a 364-day period appears high for a single purchase order, especially given the lack of competition. Without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The specific nature of 'biomechanical engineer' services within 'All Other Legal Services' warrants further scrutiny to understand if the price reflects market rates for such specialized expertise. The absence of a competitive process prevents a robust comparison to similar contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required service, or in urgent situations. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a range of proposals and pricing, potentially leading to a higher cost than if it had been openly competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure to drive down costs. The sole-source nature limits transparency in pricing and value assessment.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized biomechanical engineering expertise for its legal services. Services likely support litigation, investigations, or case preparation requiring technical analysis. The geographic impact is centered in Texas, where the contractor is based, though services may extend nationally. The contract supports specialized professional services, potentially impacting a small number of highly skilled engineers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about potential overpayment and lack of competitive pricing.
Limited transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.
High contract value for a single purchase order without competition.
Nature of 'biomechanical engineer' within 'legal services' is not fully defined, posing a potential scope risk.

Positive Signals

Award to a single, specialized firm suggests access to unique expertise.
Clear contract end date provides a defined period for service delivery.
Purchase order format may indicate a streamlined acquisition process for specific needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically under legal services (NAICS 541199). This broad category includes a wide range of specialized support functions for government agencies. The market for biomechanical engineering consulting is niche, often serving industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and legal fields that require expert analysis in areas where biology and mechanics intersect. Benchmarking is difficult without understanding the precise application, but legal support services can range significantly in cost.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'NOT COMPETED' status further indicates that small business participation was not a primary consideration in the award process. This suggests the contract was likely awarded to a firm capable of handling specialized, potentially high-value work, and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly mandated or apparent from the award details.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and program management offices. As a purchase order, it may have less formal oversight than a large-scale contract. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Legal Services Contracts
Professional and Technical Services Procurement
Biomechanical Engineering Consulting Services
Sole-Source Contract Awards

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition
Potential for overpayment due to lack of price discovery
Limited transparency in procurement justification
High value purchase order without competitive bidding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $4,945.5 to RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC.. BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEER YRG$ R25FLS-08147

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RIMKUS CONSULTING 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 $4,945.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-15. End: 2026-08-14.

What specific biomechanical engineering services are required by the Department of Justice under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEER' services under the NAICS code '541199 - All Other Legal Services'. While the specific tasks are not detailed, biomechanical engineering in a legal context often involves analyzing injuries, product failures, or accident reconstructions where biological and mechanical principles are relevant. This could include expert testimony, forensic analysis, or technical consultation for litigation support. The exact nature of the services would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, which is not publicly available in this data snippet.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED' and is a 'SOLE SOURCE'. Government agencies typically award sole-source contracts when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required service. This could be due to unique expertise, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where competition is not feasible. Without further justification from the Department of Justice, the specific reason for the sole-source award remains unknown, raising questions about potential missed opportunities for competitive pricing and broader vendor engagement.

How does the contract value of $4.9 million compare to similar biomechanical engineering services for legal support?

Benchmarking the $4.9 million contract value for 364 days of 'biomechanical engineer' services within 'All Other Legal Services' is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and the contractor's qualifications. However, given the sole-source nature and the absence of competitive bids, this price point warrants scrutiny. Specialized consulting, especially when involving expert testimony or complex analysis for litigation, can command high rates. A competitive process would typically yield data points for comparison, allowing for a more robust assessment of whether this represents fair market value.

What is the track record of Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly sole-source awards?

Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. has a history of performing services related to forensic engineering and consulting. Information on their specific track record with federal contracts, especially sole-source awards, would require a deeper dive into federal procurement databases like FPDS or SAM.gov. Analyzing past performance, contract types, and award values would provide insight into their experience and the government's previous reliance on them, potentially shedding light on the justification for this current sole-source award.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award of $4.9 million include potential overpayment due to lack of competitive pricing, reduced transparency in the procurement process, and limited opportunities for innovation or alternative solutions that might have emerged from a competitive bidding environment. There's also a risk that the government may not be getting the best value for its money. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of strategic sourcing or planning by the agency, potentially leading to recurring sole-source procurements rather than developing a competitive market.

How does the 'All Other Legal Services' classification impact the understanding of this contract's purpose?

Classifying biomechanical engineering services under 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199) suggests that the primary function of these services is to support the Department of Justice's legal operations, rather than direct scientific research or product development. This implies the expertise is being leveraged for litigation, investigations, regulatory compliance, or other legal proceedings where understanding the mechanics of biological systems is crucial. It differentiates this contract from those focused purely on R&D or healthcare provision, highlighting its role as a specialized support function within the legal domain.

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: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12140 WICKCHESTER LN STE 300, HOUSTON, TX, 77079

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,946

Exercised Options: $4,946

Current Obligation: $4,946

Actual Outlays: $4,946

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline