DOJ awards $2.19M sole-source contract for litigation support services to Cohen Hilberry Architects Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,875 ($21.9K)

Contractor: Cohen Hilberry Architects Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $60/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: LITIGATIVE CONSULTANT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $21,875 to COHEN HILBERRY ARCHITECTS INCORPORATED for work described as: LITIGATIVE CONSULTANT Key points: 1. Contract awarded without competition, raising questions about potential cost savings and optimal vendor selection. 2. The contract duration of 364 days suggests a need for ongoing support, but the lack of competition limits transparency. 3. The specific service category 'All Other Legal Services' is broad, making it difficult to benchmark against specialized litigation support. 4. The award is a purchase order, which typically signifies smaller, less complex acquisitions, but the dollar value is substantial. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating no specific effort to engage smaller firms in this procurement. 6. The vendor's primary NAICS code (541199) aligns with legal services, but the company name suggests architectural services, requiring clarification on the scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and the broad service description. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if the $2.19 million represents a fair market price for 'All Other Legal Services'. The contract's value is significant for a single purchase order, especially when awarded without competition. Further analysis would be needed to compare the labor hours and rates to similar contracts for litigation support, if available.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The Department of Justice did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required services, or in urgent situations. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through bidding, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium for these services due to the absence of competitive pressure to lower prices.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from specialized litigation support services. The contract supports legal operations within the Offices, Boards and Divisions of the DOJ. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the agency is headquartered. The contract likely supports legal professionals and administrative staff involved in litigation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about price reasonableness and potential for inflated costs.
The broad service description ('All Other Legal Services') makes it difficult to assess the specific value and necessity of the services procured.
The vendor's name (Cohen Hilberry Architects Inc.) appears incongruent with the service category (Legal Services), suggesting a potential mismatch or a need for further clarification on the scope of work.
Awarding a significant dollar amount via a purchase order without competition warrants scrutiny.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded to a single entity, potentially allowing for streamlined communication and project management.
The contract duration is clearly defined, providing a predictable period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector is a significant part of the professional services market. Government spending on legal support is common across various agencies, particularly those involved in enforcement, regulation, and litigation. Benchmarking this contract's value against the broader legal services market is difficult without more specific details on the services provided. However, the dollar amount suggests a substantial engagement for specialized support.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small business participation in this specific procurement were not prioritized. The absence of small business considerations in this sole-source award limits the potential for engaging smaller, specialized firms in government contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and financial management controls. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard agency review processes. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Litigation Support
Federal Legal Services Procurement
Sole-Source Contract Awards
Purchase Orders
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Potential mismatch between contractor name and service description
Lack of transparency in procurement process
Difficulty in benchmarking value due to broad service category

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $21,875 to COHEN HILBERRY ARCHITECTS INCORPORATED. LITIGATIVE CONSULTANT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COHEN HILBERRY ARCHITECTS INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21,875.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'All Other Legal Services' being provided by Cohen Hilberry Architects Inc. under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'All Other Legal Services' under NAICS code 541199. However, the contractor's name, Cohen Hilberry Architects Inc., suggests a primary focus on architectural services. This discrepancy raises a significant question about the actual services being procured. It is possible the firm has diversified its offerings, or that the contract is for a niche service that falls under this broad legal category. Without further clarification from the Department of Justice, the precise nature of the litigation support, its necessity, and its value proposition remain unclear. This ambiguity makes it difficult to assess the contract's effectiveness or compare it to other legal support contracts.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis, and what justification did the Department of Justice provide?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. Government agencies typically justify sole-source procurements by demonstrating that only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. Common justifications include unique capabilities, urgent and compelling needs, or specific government-unique requirements. For this contract, the Department of Justice would have had to formally document and approve the rationale for not soliciting bids from other qualified vendors. The absence of competitive bidding means that taxpayers did not benefit from the potential cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process, where multiple firms vie for the contract by offering their best prices.

How does the $2.19 million contract value compare to typical spending on litigation support services by the Department of Justice or similar agencies?

Benchmarking this $2.19 million contract against typical spending on litigation support is challenging without more granular data on the specific services rendered and the contract's duration. The contract spans 364 days, suggesting a significant, ongoing need. However, the broad categorization of 'All Other Legal Services' and the potential mismatch with the contractor's name (architects) complicate direct comparisons. Generally, litigation support can range from document review and e-discovery to expert witness services and specialized research. Large-scale litigation can incur millions in support costs. To provide a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar service scopes, durations, and agencies, and analyze their total value and per-unit costs, which is not readily available from the provided data.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract of this magnitude without competition?

The primary risk associated with awarding a contract of this magnitude ($2.19 million) without competition is the potential for inflated costs. Without the pressure of competitive bidding, the selected vendor may not offer the most cost-effective solution. There's also a risk of suboptimal performance if the vendor is not the best-suited for the task, simply because they were the only option considered. Furthermore, a lack of transparency inherent in sole-source awards can obscure potential conflicts of interest or inefficiencies. For taxpayers, the risk is that public funds are not being utilized in the most economical and efficient manner possible, potentially leading to a lower return on investment for the services procured.

What is the track record of Cohen Hilberry Architects Inc. in providing legal services, particularly litigation support, to the federal government?

The provided data identifies Cohen Hilberry Architects Inc. as the contractor for 'All Other Legal Services.' However, the company's name strongly suggests an architectural background. Information regarding their track record specifically in providing legal services, and more importantly, litigation support to the federal government, is not included in the data. This lack of clarity necessitates further investigation. It is crucial to understand if this firm has prior experience and demonstrated success in the legal services domain, especially for complex federal litigation, to assess the reliability and effectiveness of their performance under this contract.

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: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4941 MCPHERSON AVE, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63108

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,875

Exercised Options: $21,875

Current Obligation: $21,875

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline