Department of Justice Awarded a Contract to THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT SAN ANTONIO for $103,500.00

Summary of Award

The JSON data provided details a contract between the US Department of Justice and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). This contract falls under the category of a "Purchase Order" and is focused on acquiring expert witness services, particularly within the realm of "All Other Legal Services" as per the NAICS code 541199.

### Contract and Award Overview

The awarded contract is identified by the unique ID "15JENR21P00000046" and totals an obligation of $103,500. The type of contract utilized is a Purchase Order (Type: B), indicating a relatively straightforward transactional agreement in which the Department of Justice (DOJ) is purchasing specific services that are both essential and could be mobilized quickly—a necessity as indicated by the justification under mobilization and essential R&D (FAR 6.302-3). The contract was established on February 24, 2021, with an initial start date of December 16, 2020, and is expected to continue through April 30, 2023. As per the details, it seems there are no options beyond the total obligation, suggesting it is a fixed-term engagement aimed specifically at acquiring the expert witness services without potential extensions. ### Financial Details and Transactions The primary transaction related to this contract took place on the same day the award was signed (February 24, 2021), amounting to the full $103,500 obligation. Interestingly, the total account outlay has been recorded as $3,508.53, which suggests either an initial partial payment or an accounting of services rendered up to that date. Designated fund code "Q" is associated with both the account outlay and obligation, which might relate to specific budgeting lines within the DOJ, ensuring that designated funds correspond to the essential legal services procured through this contract. The contract employs "Time and Materials" pricing—appropriate for services requiring flexible engagement hours, such as legal depositions or consultations. Since the contract was not competed, it aligns with the DOJ's need for specialized, immediate services from a credible institution like UTHSCSA, with the selection made without the commercial item test program, as no set-asides like small business considerations are applied here. ### Department of Justice Involvement Both the funding and awarding aspects of this contract are managed by the Department of Justice's Environment & Natural Resources Division. This segment of the DOJ deals with intricate legal cases often requiring specialized legal testimonies and expert witnesses, which the UTHSCSA is contracted to provide. The singular offer and selection procedure described as “Only One Source” highlight the contract's urgency or specificity—indicating that the DOJ had specifically identified UTHSCSA for its capacity to deliver the expert services needed, bypassing competitive bidding as per the plausible need outlined within the contract terms. ### Recipient: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio UTHSCSA, part of the larger University of Texas System, is a prominent educational and medical institution operating from San Antonio, Texas. It is classified under several categories including "Higher Education," "Government," and "Educational Institution." This broad classification reflects its dual roles as both a state-funded educational entity and a potentially federal service provider. Known for its contribution to medical education and research, UTHSCSA would possess the expert resources and professional acumen required to assist the DOJ in the realm of legal support services. The specific services related to expert witnesses suggest involvement in legal cases where medical or scientific expert opinions play a vital role, likely contributing to complex legal arguments in cases managed by the DOJ's Environment & Natural Resources Division. ### Execution and Place of Performance Notably, while UTHSCSA is based in San Antonio, Texas, the primary place of performance for this contract is Washington, D.C. This reflects the nature of the contract's requirement for presence or legal proceedings likely held in various federal districts, significant given the D.C. location as a hub for national legal services and governmental operations. ### Conclusion Within this context, the procurement of UTHSCSA's services signifies a targeted approach by the DOJ to secure specialized expert witness capabilities vital for ongoing or future legal cases. While the contract is notably straightforward in its structuring—no increments, one-time obligation, and specificity in services—it underscores the strategic initiative of governmental bodies like the DOJ to leverage institutional expertise in complex legal matters. The engagement with UTHSCSA reflects their standing as a trusted resource, equipped to handle nuanced legal inquiries requiring expert academic or scientific testimony, thereby reinforcing the collaboration between legal and educational institutions within the federal governmental frameworks.