DOJ awards $303M for Expert Witness Services to CT Consultants Inc. via sole-source purchase order
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $303,797 ($303.8K)
Contractor: CT Consultants Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2024-09-03
End Date: 2029-02-01
Contract Duration: 1,612 days
Daily Burn Rate: $188/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS
Place of Performance
Location: MENTOR, LAKE County, OHIO, 44060
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $303,797 to CT CONSULTANTS INC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $303.8 million for specialized legal services. 2. Sole-source award to CT Consultants Inc. raises questions about competition. 3. Potential risk associated with a long contract duration (over 4 years). 4. Spending falls under 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Time and Materials purchase order, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without knowing the specific services and rates, but the high value suggests a need for rigorous justification.
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 compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a $303.8 million contract may result in suboptimal pricing and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long duration of the contract could lock the government into potentially outdated or overpriced services. Ensuring the necessity and scope of 'expert witness' services is crucial for accountability.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Long contract duration
- Time and Materials pricing
Positive Signals
- Specific vendor selected for a defined need
Sector Analysis
Spending in legal services, particularly for expert witnesses, can vary widely based on case complexity and agency needs. This contract represents a substantial investment within the 'All Other Legal Services' sector.
Small Business Impact
This award does not appear to include provisions for small business participation, which is a missed opportunity for supporting small businesses in the legal services sector.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the necessity of the services and the reasonableness of the costs incurred by CT Consultants Inc.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Legal Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns (T&M)
- Long contract duration
- No apparent small business participation
Tags
all-other-legal-services, department-of-justice, oh, purchase-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $303,797 to CT CONSULTANTS INC. EXPERT WITNESS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CT CONSULTANTS 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 $303,797.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-03. End: 2029-02-01.
What specific justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and why was competition deemed impractical or impossible?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves demonstrating that only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. For expert witness services, this might stem from unique expertise, prior involvement in specific litigation, or proprietary knowledge. Without the specific justification document, it's impossible to confirm the exact reasoning, but agencies must adhere to strict Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) guidelines for sole-source procurements to ensure fair and reasonable pricing.
How will the Department of Justice ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential overruns given the Time and Materials contract type and long duration?
Effective management of Time and Materials contracts requires robust oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, material costs, and adherence to pre-negotiated rates. The DOJ should implement strict monitoring protocols, regular performance reviews, and potentially establish cost ceilings or award-fee structures to incentivize efficiency and control spending over the contract's 1612-day duration.
What is the anticipated impact of these expert witness services on the specific legal cases or initiatives they support, and how will their effectiveness be measured?
The effectiveness of expert witness services is typically measured by their contribution to case outcomes, such as successful resolutions, favorable judgments, or efficient case management. The DOJ should establish clear performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the specific legal matters being addressed. Regular reporting on the expert's contributions, clarity of testimony, and impact on case strategy will be essential for evaluating overall effectiveness.
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: 8150 STERLING CT, MENTOR, OH, 44060
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $303,797
Exercised Options: $303,797
Current Obligation: $303,797
Actual Outlays: $140,123
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-03
Current End Date: 2029-02-01
Potential End Date: 2029-02-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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