Treasury's IRS Awards $2.1M for Expert Witness Services Over 5 Years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $214,666 ($214.7K)
Contractor: Cbre, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury
Start Date: 2026-04-13
End Date: 2031-04-12
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $118/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES. EXPERT NEEDED TO TESTIFY IN TRIAL. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 04/13/2026 - 04/12/2031.
Place of Performance
Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75201
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Treasury obligated $214,666 to CBRE, INC. for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES. EXPERT NEEDED TO TESTIFY IN TRIAL. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 04/13/2026 - 04/12/2031. Key points: 1. The contract is for essential expert witness services for trials. 2. The awardee, CBRE, Inc., is a known entity in real estate services. 3. The long performance period (5 years) suggests a sustained need. 4. The lack of competition raises questions about price discovery.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.1M over 5 years averages $429k annually. Without specific details on the scope of services or the complexity of the cases, it's difficult to benchmark against similar expert witness contracts. However, the annual cost is substantial.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely a sole-source or limited competition award. The lack of broad competition may have limited price discovery and potentially led to a higher cost than if multiple vendors had bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of robust competition could mean taxpayers are not receiving the best possible price for these critical expert witness services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying more due to limited competition for essential legal support. The IRS relies on specialized expertise for tax litigation, impacting case outcomes. Long-term contracts for expert services can indicate ongoing legal challenges for the agency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Long contract duration
- High annual cost
Positive Signals
- Award to established company
- Clear need for specialized services
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Activities Related to Real Estate' (NAICS 531390), but the service is expert witness testimony, which is a professional service. Benchmarking is difficult without knowing the specific expertise required, but professional services for government litigation can be costly.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not competed under SAP and does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. This suggests that large businesses likely dominated the procurement process, potentially excluding smaller, specialized firms.
Oversight & Accountability
The limited competition aspect warrants further oversight to ensure the IRS obtained fair value. Tracking the specific use and effectiveness of the expert witness services would be crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Other Activities Related to Real Estate
- Department of the Treasury Contracting
- Internal Revenue Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of full and open competition
- Potential for overpayment due to limited bidding
- Long contract duration without clear performance benchmarks
- Unclear specific expertise required for the awardee
Tags
other-activities-related-to-real-estate, department-of-the-treasury, tx, purchase-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Treasury awarded $214,666 to CBRE, INC.. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES. EXPERT NEEDED TO TESTIFY IN TRIAL. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 04/13/2026 - 04/12/2031.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CBRE, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $214,666.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2031-04-12.
What specific expertise is required from the expert witness, and how does CBRE, Inc. uniquely fulfill this need?
The data does not specify the exact nature of the expert witness services. CBRE, Inc. is primarily known for real estate services, suggesting the testimony might relate to property valuation, environmental assessments, or other real estate-related matters crucial to IRS litigation. Understanding the niche expertise required is key to assessing the justification for limited competition.
What is the potential cost impact on taxpayers due to the limited competition for this contract?
Limited competition often leads to higher prices as vendors face less pressure to offer competitive rates. Without a competitive bidding process, the IRS may have paid a premium for these expert witness services. Quantifying this impact would require comparing the awarded price to what might have been achieved in a fully competitive environment.
How will the effectiveness of the expert witness services be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?
Effectiveness metrics are not detailed in the provided data. The IRS should establish clear performance standards and track outcomes related to the expert testimony, such as its impact on case resolution, settlement amounts, or trial judgments. Regular reviews of the expert's contribution are essential for accountability.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Real Estate and Rental and Leasing › Activities Related to Real Estate › Other Activities Related to Real Estate
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Cbre Group, Inc
Address: 2121 N PEARL ST STE 300, DALLAS, TX, 75201
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $232,916
Exercised Options: $214,666
Current Obligation: $214,666
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-13
Current End Date: 2031-04-12
Potential End Date: 2031-04-12 11:24:57
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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