DOJ awards $33M sole-source contract to Talas Engineering for expert witness services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,075 ($33.1K)

Contractor: Talas Engineering, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-11-25

End Date: 2026-11-24

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45/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: HAYWARD, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94545

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $33,075 to TALAS ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Talas Engineering, Inc. for $33.075 million. 2. Services are for expert witness support within the Department of Justice. 3. The contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery. 4. This falls under the 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Time and Materials purchase order, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without knowing the specific services and hours required.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to lower bids.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a $33 million contract may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for expert witness services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the sole-source nature of the award. The Department of Justice relies on external expertise for legal proceedings. Transparency in sole-source contract justifications is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Lack of competition

Positive Signals

Essential legal support services
Long-term contract duration

Sector Analysis

Legal services, particularly expert witness testimony, are critical for the Department of Justice's operations. Spending benchmarks for such specialized services can vary widely based on the complexity and duration of cases.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false.

Oversight & Accountability

The lack of competition necessitates strong oversight from the Department of Justice to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery under the Time and Materials contract.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency and competitive pricing.
Time and Materials contract structure poses a risk of cost escalation.
No clear indication of small business participation.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $33,075 to TALAS ENGINEERING, INC.. EXPERT WITNESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TALAS ENGINEERING, 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 $33,075.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-25. End: 2026-11-24.

What specific legal services does Talas Engineering provide as an expert witness, and how does this justify a sole-source award?

The contract details do not specify the exact nature of the expert witness services. A sole-source justification typically requires demonstrating that only one vendor can provide the unique expertise or that urgency precludes a competitive process. Further documentation from the DOJ would be needed to assess the validity of this justification and the value provided.

What are the potential risks associated with a $33 million Time and Materials contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The primary risks include cost overruns due to the open-ended nature of Time and Materials pricing, lack of competitive pressure to ensure cost-effectiveness, and potential for reduced service quality if vendor performance is not rigorously monitored. The sole-source aspect exacerbates these risks by limiting options for recourse or re-negotiation.

How will the effectiveness of Talas Engineering's expert witness services be measured and ensured throughout the contract's duration?

Effectiveness measurement will likely depend on the DOJ's internal performance metrics and the successful contribution of the expert witness to legal case outcomes. Robust contract management, including regular performance reviews and clear deliverables, is essential to ensure the services meet the required standards and contribute positively to the department's objectives.

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: 26269 RESEARCH RD, HAYWARD, CA, 94545

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,075

Exercised Options: $33,075

Current Obligation: $33,075

Actual Outlays: $25,625

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline