DOJ awards $4.46M sole-source contract for expert witness services to TELEFORE LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,461 ($4.5K)

Contractor: Telefore LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-08-11

End Date: 2025-08-10

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS

Place of Performance

Location: KINGS PARK, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11754

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $4,460.75 to TELEFORE LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about competition and potential value. 2. Services are for expert witness support, a critical but potentially high-cost function. 3. The contract duration of two years suggests a sustained need for these services. 4. Awarded as a purchase order, indicating a potentially less formal procurement process. 5. The contractor, TELEFORE LLC, is the sole recipient, highlighting a lack of broader market engagement. 6. The 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code is broad, making direct comparisons challenging.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $4.46 million for expert witness services over two years warrants scrutiny. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or similar government contracts. The 'time and materials' pricing structure can also lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed. Further analysis would require understanding the specific services rendered and comparing them to industry standards for expert witness testimony in legal proceedings.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This indicates that the Department of Justice likely identified TELEFORE LLC as the only capable provider for these specific expert witness services. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve the best possible price and terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not be receiving the most cost-effective solution, as there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid and drive down prices.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized expert witness support for its legal cases. Legal proceedings requiring expert testimony in areas covered by 'All Other Legal Services' will be supported. The geographic impact is primarily within New York, where the contractor is located. The contract supports the operational needs of the Offices, Boards and Divisions within the DOJ.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Lack of competition raises concerns about whether the most qualified or cost-effective vendor was selected.
Time and materials contract type can lead to unpredictable costs if not closely monitored.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a specific need for expert witness services within the DOJ.
Award to a single entity suggests a potentially specialized capability required for the services.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector is characterized by specialized expertise and varying pricing models. Expert witness services are a niche within this sector, often commanding high fees due to the specialized knowledge and testimony required in legal proceedings. Government contracts for legal services can range from large-scale litigation support to specific expert consultations. Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without more detail on the specific expertise provided and the complexity of the cases it supports.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Therefore, it is unlikely to have a direct positive impact on the small business ecosystem. The focus appears to be on fulfilling a specific service need with a particular contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order, oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of Justice. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. There is no explicit mention of specific enhanced oversight mechanisms or inspector general jurisdiction beyond standard government contract monitoring.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services Contracts
Expert Witness Services
Department of Justice Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Time and materials pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $4,460.75 to TELEFORE LLC. EXPERT WITNESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TELEFORE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,460.75.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-11. End: 2025-08-10.

What specific expertise does TELEFORE LLC provide as an expert witness, and how does this justify a sole-source award?

The provided data indicates the NAICS code is 541199, 'All Other Legal Services.' This broad classification suggests TELEFORE LLC provides legal services that do not fit into more specific categories. For a sole-source award to be justified, the Department of Justice would need to demonstrate that TELEFORE LLC possesses unique qualifications, specialized knowledge, or proprietary information essential for the expert witness role that no other vendor can provide. This could include specific technical expertise, extensive experience in a niche legal area, or a pre-existing relationship with the case that makes their continued involvement indispensable. Without this detailed justification from the agency, the sole-source award remains questionable regarding fair competition and optimal value.

How does the $4.46 million contract value compare to typical government spending on expert witness services?

Benchmarking the $4.46 million contract value for expert witness services is challenging without more specific details about the nature of the expertise and the scope of work. Government spending on expert witnesses can vary significantly based on the complexity of litigation, the duration of testimony, and the specialized field. Contracts for expert witnesses can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the case. Given this is a sole-source award for two years, the value suggests a significant and ongoing need for specialized expertise within the Department of Justice. However, without competitive bids, it's impossible to definitively state if this represents a fair market price or if taxpayers are receiving optimal value compared to what could have been achieved through competition.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for expert witness services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for expert witness services is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition. When only one vendor is considered, there is less incentive for them to offer their most competitive rates. Additionally, there's a risk that the government may not be engaging the most qualified or suitable expert if a broader market search was not conducted. The 'time and materials' pricing structure, common in such contracts, also introduces risk of cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored by the agency. Finally, sole-source awards can raise perceptions of impropriety or favoritism, even if the award is justified.

What is the historical spending pattern for expert witness services by the Department of Justice?

Historical spending patterns for expert witness services by the Department of Justice (DOJ) are not detailed in the provided data. However, it is generally understood that the DOJ, like other large federal litigating agencies, frequently requires expert witness testimony across a wide array of legal disciplines. This spending can fluctuate year-to-year based on caseload, the complexity of cases, and the specific needs of various divisions. Analyzing past spending would require access to historical procurement data, looking at the number of expert witness contracts awarded, their values, and the types of services procured. This specific $4.46 million award represents a significant single contract, but its place within the DOJ's overall historical expenditure on such services would require a broader data analysis.

What oversight mechanisms are in place for this 'time and materials' contract to ensure cost control?

For a 'time and materials' contract, oversight mechanisms are crucial to control costs. The Department of Justice would typically rely on the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to closely monitor the contractor's labor hours, material costs, and overall progress. This involves regular reporting from the contractor, verification of hours worked, and ensuring that the services provided align with the contract's objectives and are necessary. The COR plays a vital role in approving invoices and ensuring that the 'time and materials' are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Without robust monitoring and clear performance metrics, 'time and materials' contracts can be susceptible to cost overruns, making diligent oversight paramount.

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: 14 BRISTOL LN, KINGS PARK, NY, 11754

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,461

Exercised Options: $4,461

Current Obligation: $4,461

Actual Outlays: $4,461

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline