DOJ's $17.1M contract for ballistic information network services awarded to Forensic Technology (Canada) Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,100,988 ($17.1M)

Contractor: Forensic Technology (canada) Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2022-04-01

End Date: 2023-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $47.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTIC INFORMATION NETWORK CORE SERVICES.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $17.1 million to FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY (CANADA) INC. for work described as: NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTIC INFORMATION NETWORK CORE SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market competition. 2. The contract duration of 364 days suggests a need for ongoing services rather than a one-time project. 3. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code indicates a broad scope of work. 4. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests larger firms were likely considered or the contract value did not meet thresholds for specific set-asides. 5. The firm fixed price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, but may limit flexibility if requirements change.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and comparable contract data. The award amount of $17.1 million for a single year of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for a ballistic information network appears substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value or if alternative solutions could have been procured at a lower cost. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the contractor's cost structure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This typically occurs when only one vendor possesses the unique capability or technology required for the service, or in cases of urgent need. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to drive down prices and ensure the best possible value. It also raises concerns about whether a thorough market research was conducted to identify potential alternative sources.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to ensure the lowest possible price. It also reduces transparency in the procurement process.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) benefits from enhanced capabilities in managing and analyzing ballistic information. Services delivered likely support law enforcement investigations by providing critical data for firearm tracing and crime analysis. The geographic impact is national, supporting federal law enforcement agencies across the United States. Workforce implications may include specialized technical support for the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to non-competitive award.
Potential for vendor lock-in if the technology or service is highly specialized.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
Contract supports a critical national law enforcement initiative (NIBIN).

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly those supporting government functions, is a significant market. Contracts for specialized technical services like those for ballistic information networks often involve niche providers. The $17.1 million award for a single year falls within the range of mid-to-large government IT service contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within contracts for data management, forensic analysis software, and secure network infrastructure for law enforcement agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the scope of work or the nature of the services required were deemed more suitable for larger, established prime contractors. The absence of small business participation in this specific award does not necessarily reflect the overall small business utilization by the Department of Justice, but it does mean that opportunities within this particular contract were not directed towards the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and program management offices, specifically the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). As a sole-source award, it may receive heightened scrutiny. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) IT Services
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Data Analytics Contracts
Law Enforcement Information Technology Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential cost overruns.
Lack of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
Limited public information on contractor's past performance in this specific domain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $17.1 million to FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY (CANADA) INC.. NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTIC INFORMATION NETWORK CORE SERVICES.

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 $17.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-01. End: 2023-03-31.

What specific technical services are included under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category for the NIBIN Core Services contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific technical services. However, given the context of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), these services likely encompass the maintenance, operation, and enhancement of the NIBIN database and associated software. This could include data ingestion, quality control, system administration, user support, cybersecurity measures, and potentially the development or integration of new analytical tools. The broad NAICS code suggests a wide range of professional and technical expertise may be involved, beyond simple IT support, potentially including forensic analysis consultation or specialized scientific services related to ballistics data.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data indicates the contract was awarded on a sole-source basis ('NOT COMPETED'). Common justifications for sole-source awards include situations where only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required service, urgent and compelling needs that preclude full and open competition, or when the contract is a follow-on to a previous sole-source award where the original justification still holds. Without further documentation from the agency (e.g., a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition - JOFOC), the precise reason remains unknown. However, for a specialized system like NIBIN, it's plausible that the contractor possesses unique expertise, proprietary technology, or essential integration capabilities that make competition impractical or detrimental to the program's continuity.

How does the $17.1 million contract value compare to historical spending on NIBIN core services?

The provided data does not include historical spending information for NIBIN core services, making a direct comparison impossible. To assess this, one would need to access historical contract databases or agency budget reports. A $17.1 million award for a single year suggests a significant investment in maintaining and operating this critical ballistic information system. If this represents a substantial increase or decrease from previous years, it could indicate changes in service scope, vendor pricing, or overall program priorities. Analyzing trends over several years would provide better context on the cost-effectiveness and evolution of NIBIN support.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for critical IT infrastructure like NIBIN?

Sole-source awards for critical IT infrastructure like NIBIN carry several risks. Firstly, the lack of competition can lead to higher prices than might be achieved through a competitive bidding process, resulting in less value for taxpayer money. Secondly, it can foster vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly to switch providers in the future, even if performance or pricing becomes unsatisfactory. Thirdly, without the scrutiny of a competitive process, there's a potential for complacency in service delivery or innovation from the sole provider. Finally, it raises concerns about the thoroughness of market research and whether alternative, potentially more cost-effective or capable, solutions were overlooked.

What is the track record of Forensic Technology (Canada) Inc. with government contracts, particularly within the Department of Justice?

The provided data indicates that Forensic Technology (Canada) Inc. is the contractor for this $17.1 million NIBIN core services contract with the Department of Justice (DOJ), specifically the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). However, the data does not offer details on the company's broader track record, such as the number of previous government contracts, their values, performance ratings, or any history of issues or successes. A comprehensive assessment would require searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for all contracts awarded to this entity, examining past performance reviews, and looking for any reported disputes or contract terminations.

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

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: $18,618,382

Exercised Options: $18,618,382

Current Obligation: $17,100,988

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15A00019DAQA00130

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline