DOJ awards $216K purchase order to J.S. Held LLC for expert witness services, citing sole-source justification

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $215,950 ($215.9K)

Contractor: J.S. Held LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-06-04

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 665 days

Daily Burn Rate: $325/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS- ECONOMICS

Place of Performance

Location: JERICHO, NASSAU County, NEW YORK, 11753

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $215,950 to J.S. HELD LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS- ECONOMICS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost savings through competition. 2. The contract duration of 665 days suggests a need for sustained expert support. 3. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services,' a broad category. 4. The award is a purchase order, typically used for simpler acquisitions. 5. The contractor, J.S. Held LLC, is a known entity in expert witness services. 6. Location in New York may indicate specific regional needs or contractor presence.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $215,950 for expert witness services over approximately two years appears moderate. However, without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money effectively. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Comparing this to similar sole-source awards for specialized legal support would be necessary for a more precise assessment of its fairness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The justification for this approach is not detailed in the provided data. Sole-source awards limit the opportunity for multiple vendors to offer their services, potentially impacting price discovery and the government's ability to secure the most cost-effective solution.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the potential cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process, where multiple firms vie for the contract.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized economic expertise for legal proceedings. This contract supports the 'Offices, Boards and Divisions' within the DOJ. The services are likely to be utilized in federal court cases or administrative hearings. The geographic impact is primarily tied to the DOJ's operational needs, with the contractor based in New York.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Time and Materials contract type can pose a risk of cost escalation if not managed stringently.
The broad 'All Other Legal Services' category might obscure the specific nature and necessity of the expert services.

Positive Signals

Award to a known entity, J.S. Held LLC, suggests potential for reliable service delivery.
The contract duration indicates a recognized need for ongoing expert support.
Purchase Order is a common and efficient method for acquiring specialized services.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector, particularly expert witness testimony in economic matters, is a specialized niche within professional services. The market includes a range of firms, from large consultancies to boutique economic analysis groups. Government agencies frequently procure such services for litigation support. Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without competitive data, but it represents a small fraction of the overall federal spending on legal and professional services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to J.S. Held LLC, a specific entity, does not appear to directly involve or benefit the broader small business ecosystem in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of expert witness services as per the contract terms. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with details on the justification for not competing not publicly elaborated.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Litigation Support
Federal Expert Witness Services
Economic Consulting for Government

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $215,950 to J.S. HELD LLC. EXPERT WITNESS- ECONOMICS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J.S. HELD 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 $215,950.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-04. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the economic expertise required by the DOJ for this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'EXPERT WITNESS- ECONOMICS' under the NAICS code 541199 (All Other Legal Services). While the specific economic discipline (e.g., antitrust, damages, regulatory economics) is not detailed, the 'expert witness' designation implies the need for specialized knowledge and testimony in legal proceedings. This could involve analyzing financial data, economic models, market behavior, or other economic factors relevant to a case. The contractor, J.S. Held LLC, is known for providing a range of expert services, including economic consulting, forensic accounting, and construction consulting, suggesting the DOJ is leveraging their established expertise in economic analysis for litigation purposes.

What is the typical cost range for similar expert witness services procured by federal agencies?

The cost for expert witness services can vary significantly based on the complexity of the case, the reputation and experience of the expert, and the duration of engagement. For specialized economic expertise, hourly rates can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars per hour. Federal agencies often procure these services through various contract types, including sole-source awards when specific expertise is critical or time-sensitive. Without more specific details on the scope of work and the required qualifications, a precise benchmark for this $215,950 contract is difficult. However, for a contract spanning approximately 22 months (665 days), this value suggests a moderate level of engagement, potentially involving significant research and analysis but perhaps not full-time, intensive testimony throughout the entire period.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source award for expert witness services?

Sole-source awards for expert witness services carry several risks. Primarily, the lack of competition means the government may not be obtaining the most cost-effective service, as there is no pressure from competing bids to drive down prices. This can lead to higher costs for taxpayers. Additionally, without a competitive process, there's a reduced opportunity to identify potentially more qualified or specialized experts who might have bid on the contract. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the best fit if a thorough market analysis wasn't conducted prior to the sole-source determination. Transparency is also diminished, making it harder to justify the selection and cost to the public.

How does the 'Time and Materials' contract type impact the value and oversight of this award?

The 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type for this expert witness services award means the government pays the contractor based on the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used. While T&M can be flexible for services where the scope is not fully defined at the outset, it carries inherent risks. The primary risk is cost escalation, as the total cost is not fixed and can increase if the project takes longer or requires more resources than initially anticipated. This necessitates robust oversight from the contracting agency to monitor labor hours, ensure efficiency, and validate material costs. Without diligent oversight, T&M contracts can become significantly more expensive than fixed-price agreements, potentially diminishing the overall value for money.

What is the track record of J.S. Held LLC in providing expert witness services to the federal government?

J.S. Held LLC is a well-established firm that provides a wide array of expert services, including economic consulting, forensic accounting, and construction consulting, to various clients, including government agencies. While the provided data does not detail their specific track record with the Department of Justice or other federal entities for expert witness services, their longevity and broad service offering suggest experience in this domain. Federal agencies often rely on established firms like J.S. Held for specialized litigation support due to their demonstrated capabilities and resources. Further investigation into their past performance on federal contracts, including client feedback and any past performance evaluations, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and effectiveness.

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: 50 JERICHO QUADRANGLE, JERICHO, NY, 11753

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $215,950

Exercised Options: $215,950

Current Obligation: $215,950

Actual Outlays: $170,330

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline