DOJ Awards $7M Purchase Order for Litigation Consulting Services to Wendy Spaulding CPA PLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,988 ($7.0K)

Contractor: Wendy Spaulding CPA PLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-12-01

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 454 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: LITIGATIVE CONSULTANT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85747

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $6,987.5 to WENDY SPAULDING CPA PLC for work described as: LITIGATIVE CONSULTANT SERVICES Key points: 1. Spending on litigation consulting services totals $7M. 2. The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis. 3. Potential risks include lack of competitive pricing and limited oversight. 4. The sector is legal services, specifically 'All Other Legal Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Time and Materials purchase order, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is fair market value.

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 result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about the efficient use of taxpayer funds for these essential legal services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The DOJ relies on a single vendor for critical litigation support. Transparency in pricing and service delivery is limited.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Time and Materials contract type
Limited transparency

Positive Signals

Specific legal service niche
Defined contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically legal services. Benchmarks for similar sole-source legal consulting contracts are difficult to ascertain without competitive data, but the $7M value is significant.

Small Business Impact

The vendor, Wendy Spaulding CPA PLC, is a small business. However, the sole-source nature of this award means other small businesses in this category did not have an opportunity to compete.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this sole-source, Time and Materials contract will be critical to ensure cost control and prevent scope creep. The Department of Justice must ensure robust monitoring mechanisms are in place.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition.
Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns.
Limited transparency in pricing and service delivery.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Effectiveness benchmarks are not clearly defined.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $6,987.5 to WENDY SPAULDING CPA PLC. LITIGATIVE CONSULTANT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WENDY SPAULDING CPA PLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,987.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-01. End: 2026-02-28.

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

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of other responsible sources. Without further details, it's impossible to determine if this specific situation warrants bypassing the competitive bidding process. A thorough review of the justification is necessary to ensure taxpayer funds are being used appropriately.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source Time and Materials contract for litigation consulting?

The primary risks include inflated pricing due to lack of competition, potential for scope creep and cost overruns as the vendor is paid for time and materials, and reduced accountability. Without competitive pressure, the vendor may have less incentive to control costs or deliver services efficiently. Robust oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How will the effectiveness of the litigation consulting services be measured and ensured?

Effectiveness measurement should focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to case outcomes, efficiency of legal support, and adherence to budget. The DOJ should establish clear deliverables and milestones, conduct regular performance reviews, and ensure the vendor's work directly contributes to successful litigation strategies. Independent quality assurance checks could also enhance effectiveness.

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: 6183 S KAUFMAN DR, TUCSON, AZ, 85747

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,988

Exercised Options: $6,988

Current Obligation: $6,988

Actual Outlays: $6,826

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline