DOJ's ATF awards $22.5K contract for fire/arson specialist training, with zero dollars obligated upfront

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,506 ($22.5K)

Contractor: Brian Hoback Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-12-17

End Date: 2026-04-28

Contract Duration: 132 days

Daily Burn Rate: $171/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACT SPECIALIST: FIRE/ARSON SPECIALIST FOR THE ATF NATIONAL ACADEMY. ZERO-DOLLAR ABP SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77094

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $22,506.49 to BRIAN HOBACK CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: CONTRACT SPECIALIST: FIRE/ARSON SPECIALIST FOR THE ATF NATIONAL ACADEMY. ZERO-DOLLAR ABP SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. Key points: 1. Contract value is minimal, suggesting a small scope or pilot program. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 3. Short contract duration (132 days) indicates a focused, short-term need. 4. Training services are specialized, targeting critical fire and arson investigation skills. 5. Contract is a BPA Call, implying it leverages an existing agreement. 6. No upfront funding obligated, indicating funds will be drawn as needed. 7. Contractor has no prior federal contract history in this specific service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $22,506.49 is very low, making traditional benchmarking difficult. As a sole-source award under SAP, there's limited information to assess if the pricing is competitive. The zero-dollar upfront obligation suggests funds will be expended on an as-needed basis, which can be efficient but also lacks a firm financial commitment. Without comparable sole-source training contracts for specialized fire/arson expertise, it's hard to definitively gauge value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. The specific justification for this approach is not detailed, but it limits the opportunity for multiple vendors to bid. This lack of competition means the government may not have secured the most advantageous pricing or innovative solutions available in the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent. The government must ensure fair and reasonable pricing is negotiated independently.

Public Impact

Federal law enforcement agencies, specifically the ATF, will benefit from enhanced training for their personnel. The services delivered will focus on specialized fire and arson investigation techniques. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting the ATF's nationwide operations. Workforce implications include upskilling ATF agents and specialists in critical areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition for a specialized service could lead to suboptimal pricing.
Limited contract history for the awardee in federal contracting requires close monitoring.
Zero-dollar upfront obligation might mask potential future cost escalations if not managed carefully.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a critical need for specialized law enforcement training.
BPA Call mechanism suggests leveraging existing, potentially pre-vetted, agreements.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the defined scope.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional and management development training sector, specifically focusing on specialized law enforcement skills. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611430, Professional and Management Development Training, covers establishments primarily engaged in offering such courses. While the overall market for professional training is substantial, contracts for highly specialized federal law enforcement training represent a niche segment. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific data on comparable training programs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to BRIAN HOBACK CONSULTING, LLC, and there is no indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements. The awardee itself is likely a small business given its name, but the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses. Therefore, this award does not appear to directly support small business subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division. As a sole-source award under SAP, transparency might be limited compared to fully competed contracts. Accountability will be tied to the delivery of the specified training services under the firm fixed-price agreement. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement is suspected.

Related Government Programs

ATF Training Programs
Federal Law Enforcement Training
Fire and Arson Investigation Training
Professional Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Limited contractor performance history in federal space.
Zero upfront funding may indicate budget uncertainty or low immediate need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $22,506.49 to BRIAN HOBACK CONSULTING, LLC. CONTRACT SPECIALIST: FIRE/ARSON SPECIALIST FOR THE ATF NATIONAL ACADEMY. ZERO-DOLLAR ABP SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRIAN HOBACK CONSULTING, LLC.

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 $22,506.49.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-17. End: 2026-04-28.

What is the specific expertise of Brian Hoback Consulting, LLC in fire and arson investigation training?

Information regarding the specific expertise of Brian Hoback Consulting, LLC in fire and arson investigation training is not readily available in the provided data. As this is a sole-source award under SAP, the justification for selecting this specific contractor would typically include details on their unique qualifications or capabilities. Without access to that justification or further details on the contractor's background and past performance, it is difficult to assess their suitability and the value they bring to this specialized training requirement. Further research into the contractor's profile and any publicly available information on their training programs would be necessary to fully evaluate their expertise.

How does the $22,506.49 contract value compare to similar federal training contracts for specialized skills?

The contract value of $22,506.49 is exceptionally low for federal training contracts, especially those involving specialized skills like fire and arson investigation. Typical federal training contracts, even for niche areas, can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, number of participants, and complexity of the curriculum. This low value suggests either a very limited scope of work (e.g., training a small number of individuals, a single workshop, or consultation) or that this is an initial task order under a larger, pre-existing Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) or Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). Without knowing the specific deliverables, number of trainees, or duration, direct comparison is challenging, but it is significantly smaller than average.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of training?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for this training include potential lack of price competition, which could lead to the government paying more than necessary. There's also a risk that the selected contractor may not offer the most innovative or effective training solutions available, as they were not vetted against potential competitors. Furthermore, without a competitive process, it can be harder to ensure the contractor possesses the absolute best-suited expertise for the specific needs of the ATF. Transparency is reduced, making it more difficult for oversight bodies and the public to verify that the government obtained the best value. Finally, reliance on a single source can create a vulnerability if that contractor fails to perform.

What does the 'zero-dollar ABP subject to availability of funds' clause imply for the ATF?

The 'zero-dollar ABP subject to availability of funds' clause, likely referring to an Advance Acquisition Baseline (ABP) or a similar funding commitment, implies that no funds are immediately obligated upon award. This means the contract is essentially on standby. The ATF will only incur costs and obligate funds as the need arises and as funds become available within their budget appropriations. This approach provides flexibility for the ATF, allowing them to secure the contractor's services without committing funds upfront, which can be beneficial if budget uncertainties exist or if the need for the training is not immediate. However, it also means the contractor's commitment is contingent on future funding availability.

How does this contract fit into the ATF's broader strategy for combating arson and related crimes?

This contract likely supports the ATF's broader strategy by ensuring its personnel possess up-to-date and specialized knowledge in fire and arson investigation techniques. Effective training is crucial for successful investigations, evidence collection, and prosecution of arson-related crimes. By engaging a specialist, the ATF aims to enhance the capabilities of its agents and investigators, potentially leading to improved case outcomes, deterrence of criminal activity, and greater public safety. The specialized nature of the training suggests it addresses evolving methods used by criminals or advancements in forensic science and investigative technology.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1210 WESTSHORE DR, HOUSTON, TX, 77094

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,507

Exercised Options: $22,506

Current Obligation: $22,506

Actual Outlays: $11,821

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15A00021AAQA00332

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline