DOJ's ATF awards $19.6M contract for forensic tech services to Forensic Technology (Canada) Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,625,132 ($19.6M)

Contractor: Forensic Technology (canada) Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2021-04-01

End Date: 2022-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT 15A00019DAQA00130 ARE APPLICABLE TO THIS TASK ORDER.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $19.6 million to FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY (CANADA) INC. for work described as: ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT 15A00019DAQA00130 ARE APPLICABLE TO THIS TASK ORDER. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code. 3. The contract value is significant for this service category. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 5. No small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $19.6M for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' appears high without clear competitive benchmarks. Further analysis is needed to determine if this price is reasonable compared to similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This lack of competition may have limited price discovery and potentially led to a higher cost for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for a nearly $20 million contract raises concerns about potential overspending and the efficient use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

ATF relies on specialized forensic technology services for its operations. The contract supports law enforcement and public safety initiatives. Lack of competition could impact the availability of future services or innovation. Taxpayers are funding these essential but potentially non-competitively procured services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
No small business participation

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract
Clear service category

Sector Analysis

The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad and can encompass a wide range of specialized support. Benchmarking spending in this category is challenging without more specific service details, but $19.6M is a substantial award.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates no small business participation (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor is not a small business, and there is no indication of subcontracting to small businesses for this significant award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger contract (15A00019DAQA00130), implying some level of pre-existing oversight. However, the sole-source nature of this specific order warrants scrutiny regarding justification and fair pricing.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency and competitive pressure.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
No small business participation noted, missing opportunities for economic inclusion.
Broad service category makes value assessment difficult without further detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $19.6 million to FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY (CANADA) INC.. ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT 15A00019DAQA00130 ARE APPLICABLE TO THIS TASK ORDER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY (CANADA) INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-01. End: 2022-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the forensic technology services provided under this contract, and how do they uniquely benefit the ATF?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' While specific details are not provided, these services likely involve advanced analytical tools, laboratory support, or specialized investigative technologies crucial for the ATF's mission in areas like ballistics, explosives, or forensic analysis. The benefit lies in enabling the agency to process evidence, conduct investigations, and support prosecutions effectively.

What justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. Typically, a justification (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need) is required for such awards. Without this justification, it's impossible to assess the validity of the non-competitive approach. Fair and reasonable pricing is usually determined through market research, historical data, or cost analysis, but the lack of competition makes this assessment more difficult.

How does the $19.6M expenditure compare to similar forensic technology service contracts awarded by other federal agencies or within the DOJ?

Benchmarking this $19.6M contract against similar 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' awards is challenging due to the broad NAICS code and the specialized nature of forensic technology. However, for a single-source, one-year contract, this value is substantial. A comparative analysis would require identifying contracts with highly similar service descriptions and contract types across government to determine if the pricing is within an expected range or indicates potential overvaluation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - DATA CENTER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 15A00018R00000110

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400-800 HYMUS BLVD, MONTREAL

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,625,132

Exercised Options: $19,625,132

Current Obligation: $19,625,132

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15A00019DAQA00130

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline