DOJ awards $3.4M contract for DNA expert witness services to DNA Labs International Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,170 ($34.2K)

Contractor: DNA Labs International Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2029-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,055 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES - DNA

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20530

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $34,170 to DNA LABS INTERNATIONAL INC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES - DNA Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. The contract duration extends over four years, suggesting a need for sustained services. 3. The award type is a purchase order, which can indicate smaller, less complex procurements. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541199 points to specialized legal support services. 5. The contract is for time and materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 6. The contractor, DNA Labs International Inc., is the sole recipient, raising questions about market availability of similar services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.4 million over approximately four years for expert witness services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of DNA analysis in legal proceedings. However, without comparable contract data for similar services from other agencies or contractors, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The time and materials pricing structure introduces inherent risk for cost escalation, making diligent oversight crucial to ensure the government pays fair market rates for actual work performed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source purchase order. This indicates that the Department of Justice likely determined that only DNA Labs International Inc. could provide the required specialized DNA expert witness services. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a competitive bidding process, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source award means taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing available in the market. Without competition, there is a reduced incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Justice's legal teams who will receive critical expert testimony for cases involving DNA evidence. The services delivered will support the prosecution or defense in criminal and civil legal proceedings. The geographic impact is national, as DOJ operates across the United States, though specific case locations will vary. The contract supports specialized scientific and legal professionals, contributing to the legal support services sector workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially overlooks other qualified providers.
Time and materials contract type carries a risk of cost overruns if not meticulously managed.
Lack of competition may reduce the incentive for the contractor to optimize efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The contract duration of nearly four years could lock the government into a single provider without periodic re-evaluation of market alternatives.

Positive Signals

The award to a specialized firm suggests access to necessary expertise for complex DNA evidence analysis.
The contract ensures continuity of critical support services for ongoing legal cases.
The purchase order format, while sole-source, might indicate a streamlined process for acquiring essential services.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector, particularly specialized areas like forensic science and expert testimony, is a critical component of the justice system. This contract falls under the 'All Other Legal Services' category (NAICS 541199). The market for DNA expert witnesses is niche, often dominated by firms with specific accreditations and proven track records. Spending in this area is driven by the volume and complexity of cases requiring forensic analysis, and government contracts are essential for ensuring access to these specialized skills.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to DNA Labs International Inc. and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. Furthermore, the 'sb' field is false, suggesting no specific subcontracting goals for small businesses were mandated within this award. This means the primary contractor will likely handle the services directly, with limited direct benefit or opportunity for the small business ecosystem through subcontracting on this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside within the Department of Justice's Offices, Boards and Divisions, which awarded the contract. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance clauses within the purchase order and the adherence to the time and materials billing. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, but the specific details of performance and billing are internal to the DOJ. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Forensic Science Services
Expert Witness Services
Legal Support Services
Department of Justice Contracts
DNA Analysis Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $34,170 to DNA LABS INTERNATIONAL INC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES - DNA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DNA LABS INTERNATIONAL 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 $34,170.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2029-02-28.

What is the track record of DNA Labs International Inc. with government contracts, particularly with the Department of Justice?

Information regarding the specific track record of DNA Labs International Inc. with government contracts, especially with the Department of Justice, is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this sole-source contract suggests a pre-existing relationship or a determination of unique capability. A deeper dive into the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other government contract databases would be necessary to ascertain the company's history, past performance ratings, and any previous awards or task orders issued by the DOJ or other federal agencies. This would help assess their reliability and experience in fulfilling similar requirements.

How does the $3.4 million contract value compare to similar expert witness services procured by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $3.4 million contract value for DNA expert witness services against similar procurements by other federal agencies is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. Expert witness costs can vary significantly based on the complexity of the case, the specific scientific expertise required, the duration of testimony, and the reputation of the expert. Given this is a sole-source award for a period of nearly four years, the value might reflect specialized, high-demand services. A comprehensive analysis would require identifying other DOJ contracts or contracts from agencies like the FBI or Department of Defense for similar forensic and expert witness support to establish a reliable market rate.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, time-and-materials contract for expert witness services?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source, time-and-materials contract are twofold. Firstly, the sole-source nature eliminates competition, potentially leading to higher prices than might be achieved in a competitive bidding environment. The government does not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms inherent in open competition. Secondly, the time-and-materials (T&M) pricing structure means the contractor is reimbursed for their direct labor hours and costs, plus a fee or profit. This can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work expands, if the contractor's efficiency is low, or if billing practices are not rigorously monitored. Without a fixed price or ceiling, the total cost can be unpredictable, necessitating stringent oversight to ensure the government only pays for necessary and reasonable effort.

How effective is the Department of Justice likely to be in managing the costs and performance of this time-and-materials contract?

The effectiveness of the Department of Justice in managing this time-and-materials contract hinges on the robustness of its internal oversight mechanisms and the expertise of its contracting officers and technical monitors. For T&M contracts, effective management requires diligent tracking of labor hours, verification of direct costs, and regular performance reviews against defined milestones or deliverables. The DOJ's Offices, Boards and Divisions, as the awarding entity, are responsible for ensuring that the contractor's work is necessary, reasonable, and allocable to the contract. Success depends on proactive monitoring, clear communication with the contractor, and the ability to identify and address potential cost escalations or performance issues early in the contract lifecycle.

What are the historical spending patterns for DNA expert witness services within the Department of Justice?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for DNA expert witness services within the Department of Justice. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for contracts awarded under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541199, 541715 for R&D in life sciences if applicable) or keywords related to 'DNA expert witness' over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, number of awards, types of contractors, and whether spending has been predominantly through competitive or sole-source vehicles. Understanding historical patterns is crucial for budget forecasting and identifying potential efficiencies or market shifts.

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: 700 W HILLSBORO BLVD, DEERFIELD BEACH, FL, 33441

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,170

Exercised Options: $34,170

Current Obligation: $34,170

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline