DOJ Awards $23.5M for Expert Witness Services to Levitt Matthew via Purchase Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,540 ($23.5K)

Contractor: Levitt Matthew

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-11-17

End Date: 2027-11-16

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32/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: BROOKLYN, KINGS County, NEW YORK, 11201

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $23,539.79 to LEVITT MATTHEW for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized legal services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long duration (729 days) suggests ongoing need for these services. 4. Focus on 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199) indicates a broad scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to market rates for similar expert witness services.

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 may prevent the government from securing the most cost-effective solution available in the market.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a $23.5 million contract means taxpayers may not be receiving the best value, as alternative providers were not considered.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The Department of Justice relies on this vendor for critical legal support. The long contract duration suggests a sustained need for these specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Time and Materials pricing
High contract value

Positive Signals

Clear vendor identified
Defined service period

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector, particularly specialized areas like expert witnesses, can command high fees. Benchmarking requires comparison to similar sole-source or competitively bid contracts for expert testimony within government agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were considered or involved in this sole-source award, which could be an area for improvement in future contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the services are necessary, performed effectively, and priced reasonably throughout the contract period.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award.
Risk of cost escalation with Time and Materials pricing.
Limited transparency in vendor selection.
Lack of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $23,539.79 to LEVITT MATTHEW. EXPERT WITNESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEVITT MATTHEW.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23,539.79.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-17. End: 2027-11-16.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. This could be due to unique qualifications, proprietary knowledge, or urgent requirements that preclude a competitive process. Further details would be needed from the DOJ to fully understand the specific rationale.

How will the Department of Justice ensure cost control with a Time and Materials contract?

The DOJ should implement robust monitoring and management of the Time and Materials contract. This includes detailed tracking of labor hours, rates, and material costs, as well as regular performance reviews to ensure efficiency and prevent scope creep. Establishing clear milestones and deliverables can also help manage costs.

What is the expected impact of these expert witness services on ongoing legal cases?

Expert witness services are crucial for providing specialized knowledge and testimony in complex legal cases, potentially influencing case outcomes. The impact depends on the nature of the cases, the expertise of the witness, and the effectiveness of their contribution to the legal strategy and presentation of evidence.

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: 1111 19TH ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,540

Exercised Options: $23,540

Current Obligation: $23,540

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline