DOJ awards $388K to Rimkus Consulting Group for expert biomechanics services via sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,830 ($38.8K)

Contractor: Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-03-31

End Date: 2027-03-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $107/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT SERVICES BIOMECHANICS

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77079

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $38,830 to RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC. for work described as: EXPERT SERVICES BIOMECHANICS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, limiting competitive pricing. 2. Services are specialized, potentially justifying limited competition. 3. Long-term contract duration may indicate ongoing need. 4. No specific small business set-aside noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is for expert services with a fixed price per labor hour. Without specific hourly rates or a breakdown of hours, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. The total award amount of $388,300 over 364 days suggests a moderate level of spending for specialized expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This approach bypasses the competitive bidding process, which can lead to higher prices and reduced transparency. The justification for sole-source is not provided, making it difficult to assess if it was truly necessary.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being spent without the benefit of competitive pricing, potentially leading to a less efficient use of resources.

Public Impact

Specialized legal support services are being procured. The Department of Justice is utilizing external expertise. Contract duration extends into 2027, indicating sustained need.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Sole-source justification not provided
Potential for overpayment without competitive benchmarking

Positive Signals

Procurement of specialized expertise
Clear contract end date

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199), a broad category. Spending benchmarks for specialized biomechanics expert services are not readily available, but legal support services can vary significantly in cost depending on specialization and demand.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of a small business set-aside, suggesting that larger firms were eligible and potentially preferred for this requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the justification for bypassing competition was valid and that the pricing is reasonable. Further oversight is needed to confirm the necessity and cost-effectiveness of this procurement.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of documented justification for sole-source
No competitive bidding process
Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition
No small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $38,830 to RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC.. EXPERT SERVICES BIOMECHANICS

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 $38,830.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-31. End: 2027-03-30.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and does it align with federal procurement regulations for such exceptions?

The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Federal regulations (e.g., FAR Part 6) allow for sole-source procurements under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. An investigation into the agency's documentation would be required to verify the validity of this justification and ensure compliance.

How does the hourly rate for these biomechanics expert services compare to industry benchmarks for similar specialized legal support?

Without the specific hourly rates or the number of labor hours anticipated, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is not possible. The total award amount of $388,300 over approximately one year suggests a significant cost. A detailed analysis of the proposed rates against market data for specialized biomechanical expertise in legal contexts is necessary to assess value.

What is the expected impact of these expert services on the Department of Justice's case outcomes or operational efficiency?

The data does not provide details on the specific cases or operational needs these biomechanics expert services will support. The impact would depend on the complexity of the cases, the quality of the expert's analysis, and how effectively their testimony or reports contribute to legal proceedings or internal reviews. Assessing effectiveness requires understanding the scope of work and the outcomes achieved.

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: $38,830

Exercised Options: $38,830

Current Obligation: $38,830

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline