DOJ awards $34K for Litigation Consulting Services to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $34,379 ($34.4K)
Contractor: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2024-11-27
End Date: 2026-02-26
Contract Duration: 456 days
Daily Burn Rate: $75/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: LITIGATIVE CONSULTANT SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK.
Place of Performance
Location: LUBBOCK, LUBBOCK County, TEXAS, 79408
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $34,379.41 to TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER for work described as: LITIGATIVE CONSULTANT SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized legal consulting services. 2. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is for Time and Materials pricing. 4. This award falls under 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value is relatively low at $34,379.41. Without benchmarks for similar specialized litigation consulting services, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing. The Time and Materials pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
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 reduces the opportunity for competitive bidding, which could have yielded better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The direct taxpayer impact is minimal due to the low contract value, but the lack of competition sets a precedent for potential future sole-source awards.
Public Impact
Citizens may question the justification for a sole-source award in legal services. Transparency in the selection process for specialized consultants is important for public trust. The use of Time and Materials pricing warrants scrutiny to ensure cost efficiency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Time and Materials pricing
Positive Signals
- Specific institutional expertise
- Clear statement of work
Sector Analysis
Legal services, particularly specialized litigation consulting, can be highly niche. Benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed scope of work comparisons, but government agencies often seek competitive bids to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were considered or involved in this procurement, as it was awarded sole-source to a university health sciences center.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts, especially those using Time and Materials. The Department of Justice must ensure the services rendered are necessary, effective, and priced appropriately according to the contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive transparency.
- Time and Materials pricing poses a risk of cost escalation.
- Potential for limited price discovery.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, tx, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $34,379.41 to TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER. LITIGATIVE CONSULTANT SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $34,379.41.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-11-27. End: 2026-02-26.
What specific factors justified the sole-source award for these litigation consulting services, and were alternative competitive options thoroughly explored?
The justification for a sole-source award typically hinges on unique capabilities, specialized expertise, or urgent needs that cannot be met through a competitive process. For these litigation consulting services, it's possible that Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center possesses unique, proprietary knowledge or a specific institutional capacity directly relevant to the Department of Justice's requirements that other entities lack. A thorough review of the justification documentation would be needed to confirm if competitive options were indeed explored and deemed unsuitable.
How will the Department of Justice ensure cost control and value for money given the Time and Materials pricing structure and the lack of competition?
To ensure cost control with Time and Materials pricing, the Department of Justice should implement rigorous oversight. This includes detailed tracking of hours worked, verification of the necessity of each task, and regular reviews of billing rates against established benchmarks or ceilings. Clear performance metrics and milestones within the statement of work can also help manage scope and prevent unnecessary work. Regular communication and reporting from the contractor are essential.
What is the expected impact of these litigation consulting services on the Department of Justice's overall legal effectiveness and efficiency?
The expected impact depends heavily on the specific nature of the litigation and the expertise provided by Texas Tech. If the consulting services address a critical knowledge gap or provide specialized analytical support, they could significantly enhance the Department's case strategy, evidence presentation, or legal arguments, leading to more favorable outcomes. Effective consulting can streamline complex legal processes, potentially reducing overall litigation duration and associated costs.
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: 3601 4TH ST, LUBBOCK, TX, 79430
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $34,379
Exercised Options: $34,379
Current Obligation: $34,379
Actual Outlays: $34,379
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-11-27
Current End Date: 2026-02-26
Potential End Date: 2026-02-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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