DOJ awards $24.4M Time & Materials contract for expert witness services to Lidov Hart

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,375 ($24.4K)

Contractor: Lidov Hart

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-02-27

End Date: 2029-02-26

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS/LITIGATIVE CASE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02114

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $24,375 to LIDOV HART for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS/LITIGATIVE CASE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Lidov Hart for expert witness and litigation support. 2. Significant duration of 1095 days (3 years) with a total value of $24.4M. 3. Awarded as 'NOT COMPETED', raising questions about competition and price discovery. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services' (NAICS 541199).

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if the $24.4M 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 firms to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying a premium for these legal services, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for legal support due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long contract duration could lock the government into potentially suboptimal pricing. Transparency in the justification for a sole-source award is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Time and Materials pricing
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Essential legal support services
Experienced contractor (implied)

Sector Analysis

Legal services, particularly expert witness and litigation support, are critical for government operations. Benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on specialization and case complexity. The $24.4M value over three years suggests a significant need or high-stakes litigation.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small businesses in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT COMPETED' status warrants close oversight to ensure the justification is sound and that the government is receiving fair value. Robust monitoring of the Time and Materials basis is essential.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for cost overruns (Time & Materials)
Limited transparency on justification
Long contract duration without competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $24,375 to LIDOV HART. EXPERT WITNESS/LITIGATIVE CASE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LIDOV HART.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24,375.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-27. End: 2029-02-26.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were any market research efforts conducted to confirm the necessity of this approach?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical for ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently. Agencies must demonstrate that only one source can meet the requirement, often due to unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without this information, it's impossible to assess if competition was truly impossible or if opportunities were missed.

How will the Department of Justice ensure cost control and prevent potential overruns with a Time and Materials contract for such a substantial amount over three years?

Managing Time and Materials contracts requires rigorous oversight. The DOJ should implement strict monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs. Establishing clear ceiling prices, regular performance reviews, and detailed reporting requirements are essential to control spending and ensure the contractor remains within the allocated budget.

What is the anticipated impact of these expert witness services on the specific litigation cases supported by the Department of Justice, and how will their effectiveness be measured?

The effectiveness of expert witness services is typically measured by their contribution to case outcomes, such as favorable judgments, settlements, or the successful defense of government interests. The DOJ should have internal metrics to evaluate the quality of testimony, reports, and overall support provided by Lidov Hart in relation to case objectives.

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: 6 WHITTIER PL, BOSTON, MA, 02114

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,375

Exercised Options: $24,375

Current Obligation: $24,375

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline