CPSC Spends $106K on Expert Witness Services via Sole-Source Purchase Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $105,792 ($105.8K)

Contractor: Umakanth Katwa

Awarding Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission

Start Date: 2023-02-15

End Date: 2026-02-14

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $97/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES FOR LITIGATION

Place of Performance

Location: CHESTNUT HILL, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02467

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Consumer Product Safety Commission obligated $105,792.22 to UMAKANTH KATWA for work described as: EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES FOR LITIGATION Key points: 1. High cost for specialized expert witness services. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Potential for better value through competitive bidding. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $105,792.22 for expert witness services is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the litigation and expertise required. However, the lack of competition suggests potential overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may prevent the government from obtaining the best possible value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying more than necessary due to the absence of competitive bidding.

Public Impact

Citizens rely on the CPSC for product safety, and litigation support is crucial for enforcement. The use of sole-source contracts can impact public trust if perceived as inefficient. Transparency in government spending, especially on legal and expert services, is vital.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

Services procured
Fixed price contract

Sector Analysis

Expert witness services are essential for agencies like the CPSC to support litigation and regulatory enforcement. Spending in this area can vary widely depending on the complexity and number of cases.

Small Business Impact

No information is available regarding small business participation in this contract. Sole-source awards often bypass opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The CPSC's procurement process for this sole-source contract warrants oversight to ensure the necessity and reasonableness of the cost.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Consumer Product Safety Commission Contracting
Consumer Product Safety Commission Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source justification
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency on service details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded $105,792.22 to UMAKANTH KATWA. EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES FOR LITIGATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UMAKANTH KATWA.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission (Consumer Product Safety Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $105,792.22.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-15. End: 2026-02-14.

What specific litigation requires these expert witness services, and why was a sole-source procurement necessary?

The specific litigation requiring these expert witness services is not detailed in the provided data. A sole-source procurement is typically justified when only one vendor can provide the required service due to unique capabilities, proprietary knowledge, or urgent need. However, without further justification, it raises questions about whether competitive alternatives were adequately explored.

What is the benchmark cost for similar expert witness services in litigation of comparable complexity?

Benchmarking the cost of expert witness services is challenging without knowing the specific field of expertise, the duration of engagement, and the complexity of the litigation. However, the absence of competition suggests that the government may not have achieved the most cost-effective rate available in the market.

How does this sole-source expenditure align with the CPSC's overall strategy for efficient litigation support?

This sole-source expenditure's alignment with the CPSC's strategy is unclear. While expert witnesses are vital, relying on sole-source contracts for such services may indicate a gap in pre-qualified vendor pools or a failure to foster competition, potentially impacting long-term efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 27 INTERVALE ROAD, CHESTNUT HILL, MA, 02467

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $105,792

Exercised Options: $105,792

Current Obligation: $105,792

Actual Outlays: $105,792

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline