Justice Department awards $2.17M for expert witness services to Mueller & Partin, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,655 ($21.7K)

Contractor: Mueller & Partin Forensic Accountants and Economists, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-04-04

End Date: 2027-04-03

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MEDINA, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98039

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $21,655 to MUELLER & PARTIN FORENSIC ACCOUNTANTS AND ECONOMISTS, INC. for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 3. The duration of 729 days (approximately 2 years) suggests a sustained need for these specialized services. 4. The specific NAICS code (541199) indicates a broad category of legal services, requiring clarity on the exact expertise provided. 5. The contract is for expert witness services, crucial for litigation support within the Department of Justice. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates this contract was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of expert witness services is challenging without detailed task descriptions and specific expertise required. However, the Time and Materials pricing model introduces inherent risk for cost control. Comparing this to similar contracts for forensic accounting and economic analysis within the DOJ or other agencies would be necessary for a more precise value assessment. The total award amount of $2.17 million over two years suggests a significant engagement, but the lack of competitive bidding makes it difficult to ascertain if this represents optimal value for taxpayer dollars.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of Justice did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific vendor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances preclude full and open competition. The lack of competition means that pricing and service levels were not tested against the market, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple bids had been considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms inherent in competitive bidding, potentially resulting in a higher overall cost for these essential legal support services.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized forensic accounting and economic expertise to support its legal cases. Litigation efforts within the Department will be supported by these expert witness services. The geographic impact is primarily national, as the DOJ operates across the United States. The contract supports a specialized professional workforce in accounting and economics.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Risk of cost escalation due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Lack of competitive bidding may result in suboptimal pricing.
Potential for scope creep without clear performance metrics in a sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Award to a specialized firm (Mueller & Partin) suggests access to required expertise.
Contract duration indicates a recognized and ongoing need for these services by the agency.
The agency has identified a specific need that this contractor is presumably equipped to fulfill.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector, particularly specialized areas like forensic accounting and economic analysis, is a critical support function for government agencies. The Department of Justice, as a major litigant, relies heavily on such expertise. While the overall market for legal services is vast, the niche for high-level expert witnesses in complex financial and economic matters is more concentrated. Benchmarking this contract would involve comparing its value and scope to similar engagements by other federal agencies or large private law firms handling complex litigation.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside designation (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits intended for small businesses through this particular award. The focus is on securing the specialized expertise required by the agency, irrespective of the size of the contracting entity.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and program management controls. As a purchase order, it may be subject to less formal oversight than a large-scale contract, but the agency is responsible for monitoring performance, expenditures, and adherence to the terms and conditions. Transparency would be enhanced through public contract databases, but detailed performance reviews are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Litigation Support
Federal Forensic Accounting Services
Economic Consulting for Government
Expert Witness Services Contracts
Legal Services for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $21,655 to MUELLER & PARTIN FORENSIC ACCOUNTANTS AND ECONOMISTS, INC.. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MUELLER & PARTIN FORENSIC ACCOUNTANTS AND ECONOMISTS, 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 $21,655.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific nature of the expert witness services Mueller & Partin will provide under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES' under NAICS code 541199 (All Other Legal Services). While Mueller & Partin is identified as 'FORENSIC ACCOUNTANTS AND ECONOMISTS', the precise scope of services is not detailed. This could range from providing expert testimony in financial fraud cases, economic impact analyses, valuation disputes, or other complex litigation requiring specialized accounting and economic expertise. Further details would be needed from the contract's statement of work to understand the specific applications and deliverables.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar expert witness services?

Time and Materials contracts are common for services where the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset or is expected to evolve, such as expert witness engagements. However, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns for the government compared to fixed-price contracts, as the contractor is reimbursed for actual labor hours and material costs. For expert witness services, agencies often prefer T&M due to the unpredictable nature of litigation, but robust oversight is crucial to manage costs. Fixed-price or cost-plus-fixed-fee structures might be considered if the scope were more predictable, potentially offering better cost certainty for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending pattern for expert witness services by the Department of Justice in recent years?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for expert witness services by the Department of Justice would require access to comprehensive federal procurement data beyond this single contract. Generally, large federal agencies involved in extensive litigation, like the DOJ, consistently allocate significant funds to expert witness services. Spending can fluctuate based on the volume and complexity of cases, particularly those involving financial investigations, antitrust, or civil rights. A trend analysis would reveal if spending in this category is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether there's a shift towards or away from sole-source awards for such services.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated pricing and reduced incentive for the contractor to offer the most cost-effective solutions. Taxpayers may end up paying more than necessary compared to a scenario where multiple vendors compete. Additionally, it limits the agency's exposure to innovative approaches or alternative service providers that might emerge in a competitive environment. Without competition, the agency must rely heavily on its internal expertise to negotiate fair terms and monitor performance diligently to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of Mueller & Partin Forensic Accountants and Economists, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information on Mueller & Partin's track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for their past performance, contract values, types of services rendered, and any performance evaluations or disputes. Understanding their history with government agencies, particularly the Department of Justice, would provide insights into their reliability, quality of service, and ability to manage contracts effectively, especially concerning cost controls under a Time and Materials agreement.

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: 750 96TH AVE SE, BELLEVUE, WA, 98004

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: $21,655

Exercised Options: $21,655

Current Obligation: $21,655

Actual Outlays: $2,790

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline