DOJ awards $150K sole-source purchase order for expert witness services to FTI Consulting, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $150,000 ($150.0K)

Contractor: FTI Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 358 days

Daily Burn Rate: $419/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: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $150,000 to FTI CONSULTING, 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. Pricing structure is Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 3. The contract duration of nearly one year suggests ongoing need for specialized legal support. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541199 indicates a broad category of legal services. 5. Awarded to a single contractor, FTI Consulting, Inc., raising questions about market availability and alternatives. 6. The contract is a purchase order, a less formal instrument than a traditional contract, potentially indicating urgency or smaller scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $150,000 for expert witness services over approximately one year appears moderate. However, without specific details on the services required or the complexity of the cases, it is difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. The Time and Materials pricing model introduces inherent risk for cost escalation, making a definitive value assessment challenging without detailed performance and cost tracking. The sole-source nature of the award further complicates a direct comparison to competitively bid services.

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 offers from multiple potential contractors. This approach is typically used when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement, or in cases of urgent need. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through a bidding process, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple firms had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these expert witness services due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized expertise to support its legal cases. Expert witness services are crucial for providing technical or specialized knowledge in litigation. The services are delivered within the District of Columbia, impacting federal legal proceedings. The contract supports legal professionals and potentially administrative staff within the DOJ.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential cost savings.
Time and Materials pricing structure carries a risk of cost overruns.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.
Limited data available to assess the contractor's past performance on similar DOJ contracts.
The specific nature of the expert witness services required is not detailed, making risk assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a known entity in the consulting and expert witness space.
The contract has a defined period of performance, allowing for budget planning.
The award is a purchase order, which can be a streamlined procurement method for specific needs.
The contract is for a defined dollar amount, providing a ceiling for expenditure.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector, particularly expert witness support, is a critical component of the justice system. This contract falls under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category. The market for expert witnesses is diverse, ranging from individual specialists to large consulting firms like FTI Consulting. Government spending in this area is often driven by litigation needs, which can fluctuate based on caseloads and the complexity of legal challenges. Benchmarking is difficult without knowing the specific expertise required, but spending on legal support services by federal agencies is substantial.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, this award does not directly contribute to the small business contracting ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order, oversight mechanisms may be less formalized than for larger, more complex contracts. However, the Department of Justice is responsible for managing this award and ensuring that the services provided are necessary and appropriately priced. The contract's performance period and funding will be subject to internal DOJ financial controls and reporting. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of detailed public justification.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services
Consulting Services
Expert Witness Services
Department of Justice Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Lack of competition
Limited performance data available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $150,000 to FTI CONSULTING, INC.. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FTI CONSULTING, 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 $150,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific expertise FTI Consulting, Inc. is providing under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES' under NAICS code 541199 (All Other Legal Services). However, the specific area of expertise (e.g., financial, forensic, scientific, engineering) is not detailed. FTI Consulting is a large firm with diverse capabilities, and without further information, it's impossible to ascertain the precise nature of the expert testimony or analysis required by the Department of Justice for this particular award. This lack of specificity makes it challenging to assess the appropriateness of the contractor selection or the value proposition.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without the agency's formal justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval or J&A), the specific reason for bypassing full and open competition remains unknown. This lack of transparency raises concerns about whether competition was adequately explored or if taxpayer funds are being used efficiently.

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

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. While flexible, T&M contracts place a higher risk on the government for cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. For expert witness services, where the duration and complexity of required input can vary, T&M might be deemed necessary. However, it necessitates robust oversight from the contracting officer to monitor hours and rates, ensuring they remain reasonable and align with the work performed. Competitively procured fixed-price or labor-hour contracts might offer better cost certainty if the scope is well-defined.

What is FTI Consulting, Inc.'s track record with the Department of Justice or similar agencies?

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a well-established global consulting firm known for its expertise in areas such as forensic and litigation consulting, corporate finance, and technology. While the provided data confirms they are the awardee, it does not detail their specific performance history with the Department of Justice (DOJ) or other federal agencies for expert witness services. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov), and any available debriefings or dispute records to understand their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms in previous engagements.

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

The provided data only pertains to this single $150,000 purchase order. To understand historical spending patterns for expert witness services by the Department of Justice, one would need to analyze broader contract data over multiple fiscal years. This would involve querying databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) for relevant NAICS codes (like 541199) and contract descriptions related to 'expert witness' across various DOJ components (e.g., Civil Division, Tax Division, U.S. Attorney's Offices). Such an analysis would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, primary contractors, and the overall budget allocated to these critical support functions.

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

The primary risk of a sole-source award for expert witness services is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition. Without competing bids, the government may pay more than necessary. Additionally, it limits the agency's ability to explore a wider range of specialized expertise or innovative approaches that other firms might offer. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most qualified or cost-effective option available in the market. Ensuring the justification for the sole-source award is robust and well-documented is crucial to mitigate these risks and demonstrate responsible stewardship of public funds.

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: 555 12TH STREET NORTH WEST, WASHINGTON, DC, 20004

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $150,000

Exercised Options: $150,000

Current Obligation: $150,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline