DOJ awards $2.5M to Alvarez & Marsal for Expert Witness Services via sole-source contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $249,854 ($249.9K)
Contractor: Alvarez & Marsal Disputes and Investigations, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-08
End Date: 2027-01-01
Contract Duration: 268 days
Daily Burn Rate: $932/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: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10022
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $249,854 to ALVAREZ & MARSAL DISPUTES AND INVESTIGATIONS, LLC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES Key points: 1. High value contract for specialized legal support services. 2. Sole-source award indicates limited competition. 3. Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.5M for expert witness services is substantial. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the Time and Materials pricing model carries inherent risk for cost control.
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: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition for these essential legal support services.
Public Impact
Essential legal support for Department of Justice operations. Potential for significant taxpayer expenditure due to sole-source award. Contract duration extends into 2027, impacting long-term budgets. Services are critical for case resolution and litigation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 93 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Time and Materials pricing
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Experienced contractor
- Essential service provision
Sector Analysis
Legal services, particularly expert witness support, are crucial for government agencies. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on litigation needs and agency size. This contract represents a significant investment in specialized legal expertise.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a single, large firm, with no indication of small business participation. Opportunities for small businesses in providing specialized expert witness services are likely limited under this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is needed to ensure the Time and Materials pricing is managed effectively and that the services provided are necessary and cost-efficient, especially given the sole-source nature of the award.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs.
- Time and Materials pricing offers limited cost predictability.
- Potential for scope creep and unmanaged expenses.
- Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years.
- No small business participation noted.
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, ny, purchase-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $249,854 to ALVAREZ & MARSAL DISPUTES AND INVESTIGATIONS, LLC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALVAREZ & MARSAL DISPUTES AND INVESTIGATIONS, 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 $249,854.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2027-01-01.
What specific expertise does Alvarez & Marsal provide under this contract, and how does it justify a sole-source award?
The specific expertise is not detailed, but expert witness services typically involve providing specialized knowledge and testimony in legal proceedings. A sole-source award might be justified if Alvarez & Marsal possesses unique qualifications, proprietary methodologies, or an established track record with the DOJ that cannot be replicated by other firms, thereby ensuring continuity and specialized support for complex cases.
What measures are in place to control costs under the Time and Materials pricing model for this $2.5M contract?
Given the Time and Materials (T&M) structure, cost controls are crucial. The Department of Justice should implement robust monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs. Establishing clear ceilings, requiring detailed justifications for all expenditures, and conducting regular audits of invoices are essential to prevent cost overruns and ensure value for money.
How does the DOJ ensure the effectiveness and necessity of these expert witness services, given the lack of competitive bidding?
Effectiveness and necessity are ensured through rigorous internal review processes. The DOJ likely requires detailed statements of work, performance metrics, and regular progress reports from the contractor. Independent evaluations of the services rendered and their impact on case outcomes, coupled with strong contract management, help validate the necessity and effectiveness of the expert witness support.
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: 600 MADISON AVE FL 8, NEW YORK, NY, 10022
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $249,854
Exercised Options: $249,854
Current Obligation: $249,854
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-08
Current End Date: 2027-01-01
Potential End Date: 2027-01-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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