DOJ awards $1.45M sole-source contract for expert witness services to Environmental Research Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $144,648 ($144.6K)

Contractor: Environmental Research Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2031-02-01

Contract Duration: 1,760 days

Daily Burn Rate: $82/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES/FY26ECU122

Place of Performance

Location: FRONT ROYAL, WARREN County, VIRGINIA, 22630

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $144,648 to ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INCORPORATED for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES/FY26ECU122 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 2. Long-term contract duration (nearly 5 years) suggests a sustained need for these specialized services. 3. The 'Not Competed' award type indicates a lack of market exploration for alternative providers. 4. Services are categorized under 'All Other Legal Services,' a broad classification. 5. The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $1.45 million for expert witness services over nearly five years appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized legal support. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or assess if the government received the best possible value. The Time and Materials pricing structure also introduces inherent risk for cost control, as the final cost is dependent on the hours worked and materials used.

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 justification for this approach is not provided in the data, but it typically implies that only one vendor was deemed capable of meeting the requirement. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to solicit bids from multiple providers, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings and improved service offerings that can arise from a competitive procurement process.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will benefit from specialized expert witness services to support its legal cases. These services are crucial for providing technical or specialized knowledge to aid in litigation. The contract's impact is primarily within the legal and administrative functions of the DOJ. The workforce implications are likely limited to the contractor's personnel providing the expert services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
Time and Materials contract type poses a risk of cost escalation.
Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a specific need for expert witness services within the DOJ.
Long-term duration suggests a stable and ongoing requirement, potentially indicating a reliable service provider.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector, particularly within government procurement, often involves specialized expertise. Expert witness services are critical for litigation across various government agencies. While the specific market size for DOJ's expert witness needs is not detailed, the broader legal services industry is substantial. This contract fits within the 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code, indicating a niche but essential function.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false and there is no indication of a small business set-aside (ss). This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and larger firms or specialized entities are likely providing the services. There is no information on subcontracting plans for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics outlined in the purchase order and the terms of the Time and Materials agreement. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award and the absence of a public justification.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services
Expert Witness Services
Department of Justice Contracts
Sole Source Procurements

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials contract type
Lack of competition justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $144,648 to ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INCORPORATED. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES/FY26ECU122

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 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 $144,648.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2031-02-01.

What is the specific nature of the expert witness services required by the DOJ under this contract?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 541199, 'All Other Legal Services,' and the description is 'EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES/FY26ECU122'. While the exact technical or scientific domain of the expertise is not specified, expert witness services are typically required to provide specialized knowledge, testimony, and analysis in legal proceedings. This could range from forensic accounting, engineering, medical expertise, to environmental science, depending on the nature of the cases the Department of Justice is involved in. The contract duration of nearly five years suggests a recurring or long-term need for such specialized support across various litigation matters.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. The specific justification for this sole-source determination is not provided in the data. Common reasons for sole-source awards include situations where only one vendor possesses the unique capability, expertise, or proprietary technology required, or in cases of urgent and compelling need where competition is not feasible. Without further documentation from the Department of Justice, the precise rationale remains unknown, but it implies that Environmental Research Incorporated was identified as the only viable provider for these specific expert witness services at the time of award.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type impact cost control and value for money?

A Time and Materials (T&M) contract, like the one awarded to Environmental Research Incorporated, obligates the government to pay the contractor based on the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used, plus a fixed fee or fixed hourly rate. While T&M contracts can offer flexibility and are sometimes necessary for services where the scope of work is not clearly defined upfront, they carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. Effective cost control relies heavily on robust government oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours, and scrutiny of material costs. For taxpayers, this means the final cost could exceed initial estimates if not managed diligently, potentially impacting the overall value for money achieved.

What is the typical cost range for similar expert witness services procured by the federal government?

Benchmarking the cost of expert witness services is challenging due to the highly specialized nature of the expertise and the variability in case complexity. However, federal agencies often procure such services through various contract types. For instance, contracts for expert testimony can range from a few hundred dollars per hour for less specialized roles to several thousand dollars per hour for highly sought-after experts in niche fields. The total contract value of $1.45 million over nearly five years for Environmental Research Incorporated suggests an average annual spend of approximately $290,000. This figure needs to be evaluated against the specific services rendered and the qualifications of the experts provided, which are not detailed in the current data.

What is the track record of Environmental Research Incorporated in performing federal contracts?

The provided data does not include specific details about Environmental Research Incorporated's past performance on federal contracts, such as past performance ratings, previous contract values, or successful completion history. To assess their track record, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for historical contract awards, performance evaluations, and any reported disputes or issues. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their reliability, efficiency, and overall capability in fulfilling government requirements based solely on this new award.

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: 982 POMEROY RD, FRONT ROYAL, VA, 22630

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $144,648

Exercised Options: $144,648

Current Obligation: $144,648

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline