DOJ Awards $19.9M for Expert Witness Services to Ron Smith & Associates, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,934 ($19.9K)
Contractor: RON Smith & Associates, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-03
End Date: 2029-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,062 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: COLLINSVILLE, LAUDERDALE County, MISSISSIPPI, 39325
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $19,934 to RON SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Ron Smith & Associates, Inc. 2. Services are for Expert Witness, a critical legal support function. 3. The contract duration is over 3 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The award value is substantial at $19.9 million.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials award, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award is $19.9M over 1062 days. Without specific per-unit data, it's difficult to benchmark against similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a sole-source or limited competition approach. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.
Public Impact
Ensures continued access to specialized legal expertise for the Department of Justice. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source award. Supports a specific vendor's business operations. Impact on the broader legal services market due to non-competitive award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Time and Materials pricing
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Established vendor relationship
Sector Analysis
The legal services sector, particularly specialized areas like expert witness testimony, often involves unique expertise. Benchmarking can be challenging due to the bespoke nature of services, but competitive bidding is crucial for cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have specific provisions for small business participation, as it was awarded directly to Ron Smith & Associates, Inc. without mention of subcontracting goals.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Justice is responsible for overseeing this contract. The Time and Materials nature requires diligent monitoring of hours and rates to ensure cost control and prevent waste.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Time and Materials pricing structure carries inherent cost risk.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to potential cost increases.
- Lack of detailed pricing data makes value assessment difficult.
- No indication of small business subcontracting goals.
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, ms, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $19,934 to RON SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC.. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RON SMITH & ASSOCIATES, 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 $19,934.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2029-02-28.
What is the average hourly rate or daily rate for the expert witness services provided under this contract, and how does it compare to market rates for similar expertise?
The provided data does not include specific hourly or daily rates, only the total award value and contract duration. To assess value, a detailed breakdown of the Time and Materials rates is necessary. Benchmarking these rates against industry standards for comparable expert witness services would reveal if the government is paying a fair price or if there is potential for cost savings through negotiation or competition.
What justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure the price was fair and reasonable?
The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' suggesting a sole-source or limited competition award. The justification for this approach is not detailed. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess the necessity of bypassing full and open competition. Ensuring price reasonableness would typically involve market research, comparison to previous contracts, or certified cost and pricing data from the contractor.
How will the Department of Justice ensure effective oversight of this Time and Materials contract to prevent cost overruns and ensure the quality of expert witness services?
Effective oversight of a Time and Materials contract requires rigorous monitoring of labor hours, direct costs, and the necessity of services rendered. The DOJ should implement clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and potentially independent cost analyses. Establishing a ceiling price and closely tracking expenditures against it are critical to managing risk and ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for high-quality expert witness support.
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 UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 9335 HWY 19 N, COLLINSVILLE, MS, 39325
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,934
Exercised Options: $19,934
Current Obligation: $19,934
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-03
Current End Date: 2029-02-28
Potential End Date: 2029-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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