DOJ's FBI awards $1.2M for polygraph equipment, with 4 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $122,540 ($122.5K)

Contractor: Lafayette Instrument Company, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-03-06

End Date: 2026-05-27

Contract Duration: 82 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: POLYGRAPH EQUIPMENT

Place of Performance

Location: LAFAYETTE, TIPPECANOE County, INDIANA, 47903

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $122,540 to LAFAYETTE INSTRUMENT COMPANY, LLC for work described as: POLYGRAPH EQUIPMENT Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding process. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for this specialized equipment. 3. Risk indicators appear low given the firm-fixed-price contract type. 4. Performance context is a short-term supply of essential analytical tools. 5. Sector positioning within scientific and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.225 million for polygraph equipment appears reasonable given the limited duration and the nature of the goods. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized analytical instruments suggests that the price is within an expected range, especially considering the firm-fixed-price structure which transfers risk to the contractor. The FBI's acquisition of this equipment is critical for its investigative functions, implying a need for reliable and accurate technology.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition for procurements below a certain threshold. Four bids were received, suggesting adequate market interest and a reasonable level of competition for this specialized equipment. The SAP process aims to streamline procurement while ensuring fair opportunity for vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers for the polygraph equipment.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential equipment for its operations. The services delivered include the supply of polygraph equipment, crucial for investigative and analytical purposes. The geographic impact is national, supporting FBI field offices and laboratories. Workforce implications include enabling investigative personnel to utilize advanced polygraph technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process (SAP).
Firm-fixed-price contract type limits cost overrun risk.
Short duration (82 days) suggests a focused procurement need.
Contractor is Lafayette Instrument Company, LLC, a known entity in this market.

Sector Analysis

The market for analytical laboratory instruments, including specialized equipment like polygraph systems, is a niche but critical segment within the broader scientific and technical services sector. Federal agencies, particularly law enforcement and intelligence, are significant purchasers of such technology. Spending in this area is driven by the need for advanced tools to support investigations, security, and forensic analysis. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the specialized nature of polygraph equipment, but overall federal spending on scientific instruments runs into billions annually.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not specify a small business set-aside. While the contract itself may not be directly set aside for small businesses, the competitive nature of SAP can still allow for small business participation if they are capable of meeting the requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small businesses were subcontractors or if the prime contractor has a history of subcontracting with small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which is responsible for auditing and investigating fraud, waste, and abuse within the department. The FBI's internal procurement and contracting offices also provide oversight. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS-NG, where details of such procurements are recorded.

Related Government Programs

Forensic Equipment Procurement
Investigative Technology
Law Enforcement Support Services
Scientific Instrument Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Potential for outdated technology if specifications are not current.
Reliance on a single supplier if market competition is limited long-term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $122,540 to LAFAYETTE INSTRUMENT COMPANY, LLC. POLYGRAPH EQUIPMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LAFAYETTE INSTRUMENT COMPANY, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $122,540.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-06. End: 2026-05-27.

What is the track record of Lafayette Instrument Company, LLC with federal contracts, particularly for polygraph equipment?

Lafayette Instrument Company, LLC has a history of providing polygraph equipment and related services to federal agencies. While specific contract details and performance reviews are not fully detailed in the provided data, their presence as a bidder and awardee in this competitive SAP procurement suggests they are an established player in the market. A deeper dive into their federal contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capabilities. Examining awards for similar equipment across different agencies could also shed light on their pricing strategies and delivery performance.

How does the $1.225 million award compare to historical FBI spending on polygraph equipment?

The provided data does not include historical spending figures for the FBI's polygraph equipment procurement, making a direct comparison impossible. However, the award amount of $1.225 million for a short-term supply (82 days) suggests a significant investment in specialized technology. To assess historical trends, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar equipment over several fiscal years. This would reveal whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending. Factors such as technological advancements, changes in investigative needs, and market price fluctuations would influence historical spending patterns.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays in delivery, equipment malfunction, or the equipment not meeting the FBI's specific technical requirements. Given that this is a purchase order for equipment with a firm-fixed-price structure, the financial risk to the government is largely mitigated, as the price is set upfront. Mitigation strategies likely include clear technical specifications in the solicitation, performance standards, and potentially warranty clauses. The short duration of the contract also limits the exposure period. The competitive bidding process itself helps mitigate risks by selecting a vendor with a demonstrated capability to meet the requirements.

How effective is the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for procuring specialized equipment like polygraph systems?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are generally effective for procuring specialized equipment when the total dollar value falls within the established thresholds (typically up to $250,000, but can be higher for certain categories or agencies). For this $1.225 million award, it's noted as 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', which might indicate the use of higher SAP thresholds or specific agency authorities. SAP streamlines the acquisition process, making it faster and less burdensome than full-scale competitive procedures. This can be beneficial for acquiring necessary equipment quickly. However, the effectiveness hinges on ensuring adequate competition and clear specifications to avoid compromising on quality or price for highly specialized items.

What is the expected impact of this equipment on the FBI's operational capabilities?

The acquisition of new polygraph equipment is expected to enhance the FBI's operational capabilities by providing investigators with reliable and up-to-date tools for their work. Polygraph examinations are often used in background investigations, internal security matters, and certain criminal investigations. Modern equipment can offer improved accuracy, data analysis features, and potentially greater ease of use for examiners. This investment signifies the FBI's commitment to maintaining advanced technological resources to support its mission of combating crime and ensuring national security. The effectiveness will ultimately depend on the training of personnel and the integration of the equipment into existing investigative protocols.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15F06726Q001234

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3700 SAGAMORE PKWY N, LAFAYETTE, IN, 47904

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $122,540

Exercised Options: $122,540

Current Obligation: $122,540

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline