DOJ FBI awards Garmin $78.4K for Aviation Database Services, extending contract to 2027
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $78,442 ($78.4K)
Contractor: Garmin International, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-01-15
End Date: 2027-01-14
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $216/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: GARMIN AVIATION DATABASE SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: OLATHE, JOHNSON County, KANSAS, 66062
State: Kansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $78,442.45 to GARMIN INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: GARMIN AVIATION DATABASE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value is modest at $78.4K. 2. Sole provider Garmin International, Inc. dominates the market for its proprietary aviation data. 3. Risk is low due to specialized nature of service, but vendor lock-in is a concern. 4. Spending falls under IT/Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Pricing is difficult to assess without comparable contracts. Given the specialized nature of Garmin's proprietary data, the fixed price may reflect its unique value proposition. However, the lack of competition prevents a true market-based valuation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government as there is no competitive pressure.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this contract. Without competition, there's a risk of overpayment, though the contract value is relatively small.
Public Impact
Ensures critical aviation data for FBI operations. Supports flight safety and operational efficiency for federal law enforcement. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source nature.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Lack of transparency in pricing.
Positive Signals
- Provides essential, specialized data.
- Contract extends to 2027, ensuring continuity.
- Firm fixed price contract limits cost overrun risk.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector, specifically related to specialized data services for aviation. Benchmarks for similar proprietary data services are scarce due to their unique nature.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is awarded directly to Garmin International, Inc., a large corporation. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is awarded by the Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation. Oversight would typically involve contract management officials ensuring service delivery and adherence to terms. The sole-source nature warrants scrutiny.
Related Government Programs
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Lack of competitive pricing
- Proprietary data dependency
Tags
radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wi, department-of-justice, ks, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $78,442.45 to GARMIN INTERNATIONAL, INC.. GARMIN AVIATION DATABASE SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GARMIN INTERNATIONAL, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $78,442.45.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-15. End: 2027-01-14.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and has an alternatives analysis been performed?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from the unique capabilities or proprietary nature of the product or service, where only one vendor can provide the required solution. An alternatives analysis would assess if any other solutions could meet the FBI's needs, even if less ideal. Without this information, it's difficult to confirm if this was the only viable option.
How does the per-unit cost of this data compare to publicly available or commercially licensed alternatives, if any exist?
Direct comparison is challenging due to the proprietary nature of Garmin's aviation database. Publicly available data may lack the specific certifications or real-time updates required by the FBI. Commercial licensing for similar specialized data can vary significantly, but without a competitive bid, it's hard to ascertain if the government is receiving a fair market price.
What is the long-term strategy for ensuring access to critical aviation data, especially if Garmin's offerings become prohibitively expensive or unavailable?
The long-term strategy should involve exploring options for data standardization, developing in-house capabilities, or fostering competition among data providers. Relying solely on a single proprietary source creates a vulnerability. The FBI should proactively research alternative data sources and potentially invest in technologies that allow for data aggregation from multiple providers to mitigate future risks.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 15F06725Q0000018
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Garmin Ltd.
Address: 1200 E 151ST ST, OLATHE, KS, 66062
Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, International Organization, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $78,442
Exercised Options: $78,442
Current Obligation: $78,442
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15F06725A0000170
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-15
Current End Date: 2027-01-14
Potential End Date: 2027-01-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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