DOJ awards $23.9M sole-source contract for expert witness services to International Language Services, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,946 ($23.9K)
Contractor: International Language Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2028-04-06
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $33/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: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10022
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $23,946.04 to INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICES, INC. for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. The contract is for expert witness services, a critical but potentially high-cost area. 2. International Language Services, Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The 'NOT COMPETED' award type indicates a lack of market research or justification for sole-source. 4. The duration of 730 days suggests a long-term need for these specialized services.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. Without a competitive process, it's difficult to assess if the $23.9M price is reasonable 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 potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no opportunity for other qualified vendors to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a significant contract value may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for expert witness services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential legal support services due to the absence of competition. The Department of Justice relies on specialized expertise, but the procurement method warrants scrutiny. Long-term contracts without competition can stifle innovation and prevent smaller, capable firms from participating.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 33 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Time and Materials pricing
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Experienced vendor
Sector Analysis
Legal services, particularly expert witness testimony, are crucial for the Department of Justice's operations. Spending benchmarks for such specialized services can vary widely based on expertise required, but competitive bidding typically ensures better value.
Small Business Impact
The sole-source nature of this award, especially for a significant amount, suggests that small businesses were likely not considered or given an opportunity to compete for this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status requires robust justification from the Department of Justice to ensure accountability and demonstrate that this was the only viable procurement path.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
- Risk of cost overruns with Time and Materials contract.
- Limited transparency in vendor selection process.
- Absence of small business participation.
- Need for strong contract oversight to ensure value.
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, ny, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $23,946.04 to INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICES, INC.. EXPERT WITNESS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICES, 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 $23,946.04.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2028-04-06.
What specific justification was provided for the sole-source award of this expert witness contract?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. A full justification would typically detail why only International Language Services, Inc. could meet the requirement, such as unique qualifications, critical need, or lack of other sources. Without this detailed justification, it's difficult to assess the validity of the sole-source determination and ensure fair taxpayer value.
What is the estimated hourly or daily rate for the expert witness services, and how does it compare to industry standards?
The contract is awarded on a Time and Materials basis, and the total value is $23.9M over 730 days. However, specific hourly or daily rates are not provided in the data. Benchmarking these rates against industry standards for similar expert witness services would be necessary to determine if the pricing is fair and reasonable, especially given the lack of competition.
What measures are in place to monitor the performance and cost-effectiveness of International Language Services, Inc. under this sole-source contract?
Given the sole-source nature and Time and Materials pricing, robust oversight is critical. The Department of Justice should have mechanisms to track deliverables, monitor hours billed, and ensure the quality of services provided. Regular performance reviews and cost analysis are essential to mitigate risks associated with non-competitive awards and ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
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: 515 MADISON AVE, NEW YORK, NY, 10022
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,946
Exercised Options: $23,946
Current Obligation: $23,946
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2028-04-06
Potential End Date: 2028-04-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
Other Department of Justice Contracts
- Contractor Owned and Operated Existing Correctional Facility for Approximately 3,500 LOW Security Male Inmates — $794.5M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)
- Detention Services - SAN Diego — $776.9M (THE GEO Group, Inc.)
- CO: Telly Renfroe Award of NEW Task Order Base Year Initial Funding — $616.4M (AT&T Enterprises, LLC)
- TAS 151060 - Services for the Management and Operation of a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated, Correctional Facility for 2,567 Beds in Adams County, Mississippi — $574.3M (Corecivic, Inc.)
- Provide Services for the Management and Operation of a Correctional Facility in Accordance With Rfp-Pcc-0014 — $568.9M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)