DOJ awards $21.6K for Oncology Expert Witness Services to AME, LLC, citing sole-source procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,600 ($21.6K)

Contractor: American Medical Experts, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-12-01

End Date: 2025-11-30

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES: ONCOLOGY - AME, LLC - DR. GANDHI

Place of Performance

Location: ALDIE, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20105

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $21,600 to AMERICAN MEDICAL EXPERTS, LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES: ONCOLOGY - AME, LLC - DR. GANDHI Key points: 1. Contract awarded to American Medical Experts, LLC for specialized oncology expert witness services. 2. Procurement method was 'NOT COMPETED', indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. 3. The contract duration is 730 days, spanning from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2025. 4. The total award amount is $21,600, with a time and materials payment structure. 5. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199) within the Department of Justice.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $21,600 for a two-year period suggests a relatively low per-diem or hourly rate for expert witness services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized legal support is difficult without more detailed service descriptions, but the overall value appears modest for the duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, implying a sole-source justification was used. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed. The specific reasons for sole-sourcing are not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the relatively small award amount of $21,600. However, the lack of competition means potential savings may have been forgone.

Public Impact

Ensures access to specialized legal expertise for Department of Justice cases. Supports the legal process in complex oncology-related litigation. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source procurement. Limited transparency on the selection process for the vendor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source procurement limits competition and price discovery.
Lack of detailed service description makes value assessment difficult.
Potential for higher costs compared to a competitive process.

Positive Signals

Provides necessary specialized expertise.
Supports critical legal functions within the DOJ.
Clear contract duration and award amount.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under legal services, specifically expert witness support for oncology cases. Spending in this sector is driven by litigation needs. Benchmarks for legal services vary widely based on specialization and duration, but this award appears to be for a niche, potentially lower-volume requirement.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to American Medical Experts, LLC. Information regarding the size of this business (small or large) and its status relative to small business set-aside goals is not provided in the data.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Justice is responsible for oversight. The use of a sole-source justification requires internal approval and documentation to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations, safeguarding against improper sole-sourcing.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source procurement limits competition.
Lack of detailed service scope.
Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $21,600 to AMERICAN MEDICAL EXPERTS, LLC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES: ONCOLOGY - AME, LLC - DR. GANDHI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN MEDICAL EXPERTS, 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 $21,600.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-01. End: 2025-11-30.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and did it meet all regulatory requirements for such procurements?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED', indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. Federal regulations (like FAR Part 6) require specific justifications for sole-sourcing, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without further documentation from the agency, it's impossible to verify if the justification met all regulatory requirements or if alternative solutions were adequately explored.

How does the per-unit cost of these expert witness services compare to market rates for similar oncology expertise, especially considering the time and materials contract type?

The total award is $21,600 over 730 days. While this suggests a modest overall cost, a true per-unit cost comparison is challenging without knowing the hourly or daily rates and the expected volume of services. Time and materials contracts can be risky if not managed closely, as costs can escalate. Benchmarking would require access to specific rate schedules and usage data.

What is the anticipated impact of these expert witness services on the specific legal cases they support, and how is their effectiveness measured?

The effectiveness of expert witness services is typically measured by their contribution to case outcomes, such as influencing judicial decisions, aiding in settlement negotiations, or providing crucial testimony. The data does not specify the particular cases or the metrics used by the Department of Justice to evaluate the effectiveness or impact of Dr. Gandhi's services.

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: 25448 FRITZ CT, ALDIE, VA, 20105

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,600

Exercised Options: $21,600

Current Obligation: $21,600

Actual Outlays: $21,600

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline