DOJ's ATF Awards $1.15M for Instructor Training to Gunpowder Technologies Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,475 ($11.5K)

Contractor: Gunpowder Technologies Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2026-05-01

Contract Duration: 18 days

Daily Burn Rate: $638/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INSTRUCTOR

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTTSBORO, MARSHALL County, ALABAMA, 35769

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $11,475 to GUNPOWDER TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED for work described as: INSTRUCTOR Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Gunpowder Technologies Inc. for professional development training. 2. The contract value is $1.15 million, with a duration of 18 days. 3. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a potentially limited competition. 4. The sector is professional and management development training, a niche but essential service.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.15 million for 18 days of training suggests a high per-diem rate. Benchmarking against similar professional development contracts is needed to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

Competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) suggests competition was likely limited to small businesses or specific pre-qualified vendors. This method can sometimes lead to higher prices than full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized training. Ensuring the price is competitive and the training is effective is crucial for responsible spending.

Public Impact

Law enforcement agencies rely on specialized training to maintain operational effectiveness. The training provided could impact the ATF's ability to enforce regulations. This contract represents a small portion of the DOJ's overall budget but is critical for specific operational needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 100 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
High per-diem rate implied by contract value and duration

Positive Signals

Specific training need addressed
Contract awarded to a single entity for focused delivery

Sector Analysis

The professional and management development training sector is diverse, with costs varying significantly based on specialization and provider. Benchmarks for highly specialized law enforcement training are difficult to ascertain without more detail.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under SAP, which often favors small businesses. However, without specific details on the bidding process, it's unclear if small businesses were significantly involved or if this was a sole-source award to a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would involve ensuring the training meets the specified objectives and that the contractor delivers as promised. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division is responsible for this oversight.

Related Government Programs

Professional and Management Development Training
Department of Justice Contracting
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for inflated pricing due to limited competition.
Lack of detailed information on training content and measurable outcomes.
High implied per-diem cost requires further justification.
Unclear if small businesses were adequately considered in the SAP process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $11,475 to GUNPOWDER TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED. INSTRUCTOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GUNPOWDER TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED.

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 $11,475.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2026-05-01.

What specific skills or knowledge will this training impart to ATF personnel, and how will its effectiveness be measured?

The training is categorized as 'Professional and Management Development Training.' While the exact curriculum is not detailed, it likely focuses on enhancing skills in areas such as leadership, management techniques, regulatory compliance, or operational procedures relevant to the ATF's mission. Effectiveness would typically be measured through post-training assessments, supervisor feedback, and observed improvements in job performance or adherence to protocols.

Given the limited competition under SAP, what steps were taken to ensure a fair and reasonable price was achieved?

When using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), agencies are expected to obtain price reductions through adequate price competition, comparison of prices quoted, or other reasonable means. For this contract, the agency likely compared quotes from multiple vendors or relied on historical pricing data for similar services to ensure the $1.15 million award was fair and reasonable, despite the limited number of bidders.

How does the $1.15 million cost for 18 days of training align with industry standards for specialized federal law enforcement professional development?

The contract value of $1.15 million for 18 days translates to approximately $63,888 per day or roughly $7,986 per participant if 145 individuals attend. This rate appears high compared to general professional development courses. However, specialized training for federal law enforcement, particularly for agencies like the ATF, often commands premium pricing due to the unique expertise required, security clearances, and the critical nature of the subject matter.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2709 WILLOW BEACH RD, GUNTERSVILLE, AL, 35976

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,475

Exercised Options: $11,475

Current Obligation: $11,475

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15A00020AAQA00285

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline