Treasury's IRS awards $2.89M for Expert Witness Services to Conservation Science Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,895 ($2.9K)
Contractor: Conservation Science Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury
Start Date: 2023-05-03
End Date: 2026-04-10
Contract Duration: 1,073 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICE
Place of Performance
Location: MELROSE, PUTNAM County, FLORIDA, 32666
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Treasury obligated $2,894.82 to CONSERVATION SCIENCE INC for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Conservation Science Inc. for $2.89 million. 2. Service category: Environmental Consulting Services (NAICS 541620). 3. Contract type: Purchase Order, not competed under SAP. 4. Duration: 1073 days, ending April 10, 2026. 5. Location: Florida.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $2.89 million for expert witness services appears high for a single vendor without a competitive bidding process. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized consulting services is difficult without more detailed scope of work and performance metrics.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a limited competition approach. This raises concerns about price discovery and whether the government received the best possible value. The specific justification for limited competition is not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these expert witness services.
Public Impact
Expert witness services are crucial for legal proceedings, ensuring accurate technical testimony. The IRS relies on such services for complex tax cases, potentially impacting revenue collection. A single vendor award without competition could limit access to a broader pool of expertise. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these specialized services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited vendor pool
Positive Signals
- Specific expertise for IRS needs
- Long-term engagement
Sector Analysis
Environmental consulting services, particularly expert witness testimony, are specialized fields. Benchmarking spending is challenging due to the unique nature of each case and the expertise required. The $2.89 million award for this specific service is significant.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement. The award was made directly to Conservation Science Inc., suggesting a focus on established, potentially larger, service providers.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a Purchase Order, which typically has less stringent oversight than larger contract vehicles. The lack of competition warrants closer examination by oversight bodies to ensure fair pricing and adequate performance.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Department of the Treasury Contracting
- Internal Revenue Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for sole-source justification issues
- Absence of performance metrics
- High contract value for a single vendor
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, department-of-the-treasury, fl, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Treasury awarded $2,894.82 to CONSERVATION SCIENCE INC. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CONSERVATION SCIENCE 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 $2,894.82.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-05-03. End: 2026-04-10.
What specific environmental expertise does Conservation Science Inc. possess that makes them uniquely qualified for IRS expert witness services?
The provided data does not detail the specific environmental expertise of Conservation Science Inc. or why it is uniquely suited for IRS expert witness services. Further investigation into the company's background, past performance, and the nature of the IRS cases requiring this testimony would be necessary to understand this qualification.
What is the justification for not competing this contract under SAP, and what steps were taken to ensure a fair price was negotiated?
The justification for not competing under SAP is not provided in the data. Typically, this occurs when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement. Without this justification, it's impossible to assess the price discovery process. Steps to ensure a fair price would normally involve market research, comparison to similar services, or negotiation based on established rates.
How will the effectiveness of Conservation Science Inc.'s expert witness testimony be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?
Effectiveness measurement for expert witness services is often indirect, focusing on case outcomes or the clarity and impact of testimony. The contract details do not specify performance metrics or evaluation criteria. The IRS would likely assess effectiveness based on the contribution of the testimony to case resolution and adherence to professional standards.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
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
Address: 112 HALFMOON TRL, MELROSE, FL, 32666
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,895
Exercised Options: $2,895
Current Obligation: $2,895
Actual Outlays: $2,895
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-05-03
Current End Date: 2026-04-10
Potential End Date: 2026-04-10 11:14:16
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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