Forensic firearms analysis contract awarded to Forensic Analytical Sciences, Inc. for $100,000

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $100,000 ($100.0K)

Contractor: Forensic Analytical Sciences, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-05-06

End Date: 2026-08-30

Contract Duration: 481 days

Daily Burn Rate: $208/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OR CLARK R BAVIN FORENSIC FIREARMS SERVICES TO ANALYZE PROJECTILES (BULLET, PELLET), PROJECTILE FRAGMENTS, PROJECTILE CASINGS AND SHELLS, BALLISTIC TIPS, AND FIREARMS FOR CLASS AND/OR INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND TO EXPLORE CONSISTENCY BETWEEN PR

Place of Performance

Location: ASHLAND, JACKSON County, OREGON, 97520

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $100,000 to FORENSIC ANALYTICAL SCIENCES, INC. for work described as: OR CLARK R BAVIN FORENSIC FIREARMS SERVICES TO ANALYZE PROJECTILES (BULLET, PELLET), PROJECTILE FRAGMENTS, PROJECTILE CASINGS AND SHELLS, BALLISTIC TIPS, AND FIREARMS FOR CLASS AND/OR INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND TO EXPLORE CONSISTENCY BETWEEN PR Key points: 1. Contract focuses on detailed forensic analysis of ballistics evidence, including projectiles and firearms. 2. The award mechanism is a Purchase Order, indicating a specific, defined need. 3. The contract duration is 481 days, spanning from May 2025 to August 2026. 4. This service falls under the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' NAICS code. 5. The contract is not competitively procured under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government. 7. The geographic scope appears to be Oregon, based on the state code provided.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $100,000 for forensic firearms analysis over approximately 16 months appears reasonable for specialized services. However, without specific details on the volume of work or the complexity of analyses required, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. The firm fixed-price nature helps control costs, but the lack of competition could potentially lead to a less favorable price than if multiple bids were solicited.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it may have been awarded through a limited competition or a specific pre-existing agreement. The data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which implies a deviation from standard competitive bidding processes for smaller procurements. The absence of multiple bidders means there was no direct price comparison to establish the most advantageous offer for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of open competition means taxpayers may not have received the benefit of the lowest possible price that could have been achieved through a broader solicitation process.

Public Impact

This contract directly supports law enforcement and investigative agencies by providing critical forensic analysis of firearms and ballistics evidence. The services delivered will aid in criminal investigations, potentially leading to the identification of suspects and the resolution of cases. The geographic impact is primarily within Oregon, where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates and requires these forensic services. The contract supports specialized scientific expertise within the forensic analysis sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding may result in a higher cost than market rates.
Limited transparency in the procurement process due to non-competitive award.
Potential for over-reliance on a single provider without performance benchmarks from competition.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Specialized forensic services are crucial for law enforcement investigations.
Award to a specific firm suggests existing expertise or a pre-qualified vendor.

Sector Analysis

The forensic science services sector is a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This contract falls under the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' category (NAICS 541380). The market for forensic analysis is specialized, often involving highly trained personnel and sophisticated equipment. Government agencies, particularly law enforcement and wildlife services, are significant consumers of these services to support investigations and legal proceedings. Benchmarking spending in this area is difficult without detailed service scope, but contracts for specialized forensic testing can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on complexity and volume.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The focus is on the prime contractor, Forensic Analytical Sciences, Inc.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. As a Purchase Order, it is subject to internal agency procurement regulations and financial controls. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature of the award. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General would likely have oversight authority over federal funds and potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Forensic Science Services
Ballistics Analysis
Criminal Investigations Support
Wildlife Forensics
Law Enforcement Support Services

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Limited transparency
Potential for higher cost

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $100,000 to FORENSIC ANALYTICAL SCIENCES, INC.. OR CLARK R BAVIN FORENSIC FIREARMS SERVICES TO ANALYZE PROJECTILES (BULLET, PELLET), PROJECTILE FRAGMENTS, PROJECTILE CASINGS AND SHELLS, BALLISTIC TIPS, AND FIREARMS FOR CLASS AND/OR INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND TO EXPLORE CONSISTENCY BETWEEN PR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FORENSIC ANALYTICAL SCIENCES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $100,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-06. End: 2026-08-30.

What is the specific scope of forensic analysis required under this contract?

The contract specifies the analysis of projectiles (bullet, pellet), projectile fragments, projectile casings and shells, and firearms. The analysis aims to determine class and/or individual characteristics, and to explore consistency between the evidence provided. This detailed examination is crucial for linking firearms to crime scenes or specific incidents, aiding in investigations by providing objective scientific data.

How does the $100,000 contract value compare to typical forensic analysis costs?

The $100,000 value for a 481-day contract (approximately 16 months) for forensic firearms analysis is moderate. The cost-effectiveness depends heavily on the volume and complexity of the casework. Specialized forensic services can be expensive due to the required expertise, equipment, and meticulous nature of the work. Without knowing the exact number of cases or the specific tests performed, it's difficult to benchmark precisely. However, for routine ballistics analysis, this amount suggests a limited number of complex cases or a steady stream of less complex analyses.

What are the potential risks associated with a non-competitively procured contract for forensic services?

The primary risk of a non-competitively procured contract is the potential for paying a higher price than necessary, as the government does not benefit from the competitive pressure that drives down costs. There's also a risk of reduced innovation or service quality if the contractor faces no direct competition. Furthermore, it can limit the government's access to potentially superior or more cost-effective solutions offered by other qualified vendors. Transparency in pricing and service justification may also be reduced.

What is the track record of Forensic Analytical Sciences, Inc. in providing similar services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Forensic Analytical Sciences, Inc. in providing similar services to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history with government entities, and client testimonials. However, the award of this contract by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service suggests they were deemed capable of performing the required specialized forensic analysis, possibly based on prior experience or qualifications.

How does this contract align with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission?

This contract directly supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) law enforcement and investigative functions. The USFWS is responsible for enforcing federal wildlife conservation laws, which often involve investigations into poaching, illegal trafficking of wildlife, and other related offenses. Forensic analysis of firearms and ballistics evidence can be crucial in these investigations to link suspects to illegal activities, recover evidence, and build strong cases for prosecution, thereby upholding the agency's mission to conserve wildlife and habitats.

What are the historical spending patterns for forensic firearms analysis by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending data for forensic firearms analysis specifically by the Department of the Interior (DOI) is not provided in this dataset. To assess historical patterns, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded by the DOI and its various bureaus (including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) for similar forensic services. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for relevant keywords, NAICS codes, and contract values over several fiscal years to identify trends in spending, contractor types, and procurement methods.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140FS125P0121

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3777 DEPOT RD STE 403, HAYWARD, CA, 94545

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $300,000

Exercised Options: $100,000

Current Obligation: $100,000

Actual Outlays: $8,875

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline