Justice Department awards $1.01M time and materials contract for expert witness services in New Jersey

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,095 ($10.1K)

Contractor: Isolina Bernhardt

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2027-09-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS A NEW EXPERT WITNESS REQUEST.

Place of Performance

Location: WEST NEW YORK, HUDSON County, NEW JERSEY, 07093

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $10,095 to ISOLINA BERNHARDT for work described as: THIS IS A NEW EXPERT WITNESS REQUEST. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a time and materials basis, which can pose cost control challenges. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and limited price discovery. 3. The contract duration of 729 days suggests a significant need for ongoing specialized legal support. 4. Awarded to a single provider, Isolina Bernhardt, indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. 5. The specific legal services required are not detailed, making direct performance benchmarking difficult. 6. Geographic focus on New Jersey may indicate localized litigation support needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is awarded on a time and materials basis, which inherently carries higher risk for cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. Without detailed task breakdowns or performance metrics, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The absence of competitive bidding further complicates an assessment of fair pricing. The total award amount of $1.01 million over two years suggests a substantial hourly rate or significant hours billed, warranting closer scrutiny.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or potentially a limited competition award. The data explicitly states 'NOT COMPETED'. This approach bypasses the standard procurement process designed to solicit offers from multiple vendors. Consequently, the government may not have secured the most advantageous pricing or the best available service provider. The lack of competition limits the ability to assess market rates for similar expert witness services.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may be paying a premium for these services. Without a competitive process, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price, potentially leading to less efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Justice's Offices, Boards and Divisions, which will receive specialized legal support. The services delivered are expert witness testimony and related legal support, crucial for litigation proceedings. The geographic impact is focused on New Jersey, suggesting the contract supports legal cases within that jurisdiction. The contract supports legal professionals and potentially paralegals or administrative staff involved in case preparation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Time and materials contract type introduces risk of cost escalation without clear performance benchmarks.
The specific nature of the legal services and the expertise required are not detailed, hindering performance evaluation.
The contractor's track record and past performance are not provided, making it difficult to assess reliability.
The absence of small business subcontracting requirements could limit opportunities for smaller firms.

Positive Signals

The contract provides essential expert witness services, which are critical for the Department of Justice's litigation efforts.
The award is for a defined period, allowing for reassessment of needs upon expiration.
The contract is managed by a federal agency with established procurement regulations.
The services are geographically focused, potentially indicating efficient resource allocation for specific legal needs.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector is highly specialized, with expert witnesses playing a critical role in providing specialized knowledge in litigation. This contract falls under the 'All Other Legal Services' category (NAICS 541199). The market for expert witnesses is diverse, ranging from individual consultants to specialized firms. Federal agencies frequently procure such services, particularly for complex litigation. Benchmarking is challenging due to the unique nature of each case and the specific expertise required.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract includes a small business set-aside. The award to a single entity, Isolina Bernhardt, does not provide information on whether this entity is a small business. Without specific subcontracting requirements, there is no explicit mechanism to ensure small businesses benefit from this award, potentially limiting their participation in federal contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and legal departments. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the contract, including adherence to billing procedures and the quality of services rendered. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award and the lack of publicly available detailed performance data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Legal Services Contracts
Federal Expert Witness Services
Time and Materials Legal Support Contracts
Procurement for Litigation Support

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Time and Materials Contract Type
Unspecified Scope of Work
Potential for Cost Overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $10,095 to ISOLINA BERNHARDT. THIS IS A NEW EXPERT WITNESS REQUEST.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ISOLINA BERNHARDT.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10,095.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2027-09-30.

What is the specific legal expertise Isolina Bernhardt provides under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199) and involves expert witness services. However, the specific area of legal expertise is not detailed. This could range from forensic accounting, engineering, medical expertise, to specialized scientific fields, depending on the litigation needs of the Department of Justice's Offices, Boards and Divisions. Without further information, it's impossible to ascertain the precise nature of the specialized knowledge being procured. This lack of specificity makes it challenging to assess the appropriateness of the contractor selection or the value of the services.

How does the $1.01 million award compare to similar expert witness contracts awarded by the Department of Justice?

Benchmarking this $1.01 million award against similar contracts is difficult without more specific details on the services rendered and the duration. Federal expert witness contracts can vary significantly in cost based on the complexity of the case, the required expertise, and the duration of engagement. Contracts for highly specialized scientific or technical experts in complex, multi-year litigation can easily reach or exceed this amount. However, for more routine legal support or less specialized expertise, $1.01 million over two years might represent a higher-than-average cost. The time and materials nature of this award also introduces variability, making direct comparisons challenging without knowing the total hours billed and the hourly rates.

What are the primary risks associated with a 'not competed' sole-source award for expert witness services?

The primary risks associated with a 'not competed' sole-source award for expert witness services include: 1. **Higher Costs:** Without competition, the government loses the benefit of price negotiation and may pay more than necessary. 2. **Limited Innovation/Quality:** The absence of multiple bidders can reduce the incentive for the contractor to offer innovative solutions or the highest quality service. 3. **Potential for Contractor Lock-in:** The agency may become reliant on a single provider, making it difficult to switch even if performance issues arise or better options become available. 4. **Reduced Transparency and Accountability:** Sole-source awards can be perceived as less transparent, potentially raising concerns about fairness and the justification for the award. 5. **Missed Opportunities:** The agency might miss out on potentially superior services or more cost-effective solutions offered by other qualified providers.

What does the time and materials (T&M) contract type imply for cost control and oversight?

A Time and Materials (T&M) contract type implies that the government will pay the contractor for the actual labor hours at specified hourly rates, plus the actual cost of materials used. This type of contract is often used when the scope of work cannot be clearly defined at the outset or is expected to change. For cost control, T&M contracts present a higher risk of cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts, as the final cost is not predetermined. Effective oversight is crucial, requiring diligent monitoring of labor hours, verification of material costs, and ensuring that the work performed is necessary and efficient. Without robust oversight, T&M contracts can lead to significant cost overruns and potential waste of taxpayer funds.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded in New Jersey (NJ)?

The contract being awarded for services in New Jersey (NJ) suggests that the Department of Justice's legal activities requiring this expert witness support are primarily located or focused within that state. This could pertain to federal litigation, investigations, or other legal proceedings that have a jurisdictional nexus to New Jersey. Awarding contracts based on geographic needs can sometimes streamline logistics and reduce travel-related costs for the expert witness, although the primary driver for selecting an expert is typically their specialized knowledge and qualifications, regardless of location. The specific location helps in understanding the operational context of the procurement.

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: 7004 KENNEDY BLVD E APT 32E, GUTTENBERG, NJ, 07093

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,095

Exercised Options: $10,095

Current Obligation: $10,095

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline