DOJ awards $48.5M for Expert Witness Services to Stoneturn Group LLP via sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,499 ($48.5K)

Contractor: Stoneturn Group LLP

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-09-20

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 467 days

Daily Burn Rate: $104/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: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02109

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $48,498.75 to STONETURN GROUP LLP for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Stoneturn Group LLP for $48.5M. 2. Service category: All Other Legal Services (NAICS 541199). 3. Contract type: Time and Materials, Purchase Order. 4. Duration: 467 days, ending September 2025. 5. No competition was solicited for this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The lack of a fixed price or ceiling makes direct comparison difficult without detailed labor rates and hours.

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 compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition raises concerns about the optimal use of taxpayer funds for these essential legal services.

Public Impact

Citizens may question the lack of competition for a significant legal services contract. Transparency is reduced due to the sole-source nature of the award. Potential for higher costs impacts the efficient allocation of federal resources.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials contract type
Lack of clear performance metrics in provided data

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical legal functions for the Department of Justice.

Sector Analysis

Legal services, particularly expert witness support, are crucial for litigation and investigations. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on case complexity and agency needs. Benchmarks are difficult without specific service details.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were considered or involved in this contract. The award to a single entity suggests no subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were mandated or identified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is needed to ensure the necessity of a sole-source award and to monitor the Time and Materials basis for cost control. The Department of Justice should provide justification for the lack of competition.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Time and Materials pricing structure
Potential for cost overruns
Limited transparency
No clear performance metrics provided

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $48,498.75 to STONETURN GROUP LLP. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STONETURN GROUP LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $48,498.75.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-20. End: 2025-12-31.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis instead of conducting a competitive procurement?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required services, such as unique expertise, critical urgency, or specific government property. Without further documentation from the Department of Justice, the specific rationale remains unclear, but it is essential for ensuring fair and efficient use of taxpayer funds.

How will the Department of Justice ensure cost control and value for money with a Time and Materials contract awarded without competition?

Effective cost control for Time and Materials contracts relies on robust oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, rates, and material costs. The agency must establish clear ceilings, milestones, and performance metrics to prevent cost overruns and ensure the services provided are necessary and effective. Regular audits and reviews are crucial.

What specific expert witness services are being procured, and how do they align with the Department of Justice's mission priorities?

The provided data categorizes the service as 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199), which is broad. To assess alignment and value, specific details on the nature of the expert witness services (e.g., forensic accounting, scientific analysis, economic consulting) and their direct relevance to ongoing investigations or litigation are required.

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: 75 STATE STREET, BOSTON, MA, 02109

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,499

Exercised Options: $48,499

Current Obligation: $48,499

Actual Outlays: $48,723

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline