DOJ Awards $40.4M for Expert Witness Services to Rimkus Consulting Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,353 ($40.4K)

Contractor: Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-08

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $111/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: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77079

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $40,352.5 to RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC. for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized legal support services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Risk of overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. IT and professional services sector, with a focus on legal support.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Time and Materials award, which can lead to higher costs without fixed pricing. Benchmarking against similar expert witness contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions and rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This lack of competition may have prevented the government from obtaining the best possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding, potentially leading to less efficient use of funds.

Public Impact

Citizens may be unaware of the significant expenditure on expert witness services. Lack of transparency in sole-source contracts can erode public trust. Potential for funds to be allocated to less critical areas if costs are inflated.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Lack of competition

Positive Signals

Clear contract end date
Specific vendor identified

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically legal support. Benchmarks for expert witness services vary widely based on specialization and duration, but sole-source awards often exceed competitive pricing.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc., is not identified as a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were considered or subcontracted for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for sole-source, Time and Materials contracts to ensure the government receives fair value. Regular reviews of invoices and service delivery are necessary to mitigate risks.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Time and Materials pricing structure
Potential for cost overruns
Limited transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $40,352.5 to RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC.. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

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 $40,352.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-08.

What specific expertise does Rimkus Consulting Group provide that justifies a sole-source award?

The justification for a sole-source award typically hinges on unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or critical urgency that only a specific vendor can meet. Without further documentation from the DOJ, it's unclear if Rimkus possesses such exclusive qualifications or if the award was due to administrative factors or a lack of proactive market research.

How will the DOJ ensure cost-effectiveness with a Time and Materials contract awarded without competition?

The DOJ must implement rigorous oversight mechanisms, including detailed review of all labor hours, rates, and direct costs. Establishing clear milestones and performance metrics, along with regular audits and comparisons to industry standards where possible, are essential to control spending and ensure value.

What is the potential impact on future government contracting if sole-source awards become common for expert witness services?

A trend towards sole-source awards for essential services like expert witnesses could stifle competition, potentially leading to higher overall costs for the government and taxpayers. It may also discourage new entrants and specialized small businesses from competing for government contracts, limiting the pool of available talent.

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: 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: $40,353

Exercised Options: $40,353

Current Obligation: $40,353

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline