DOJ Seeks $1.2M in Magnet Forensics Licenses for FY26 Mission Essential Needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,195 ($12.2K)

Contractor: Magnet Forensics, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-06-17

End Date: 2027-06-16

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FY26 REQUIREMENT HUD SOC - MAGNET FORENSIC LICENSES THIS REQUEST IS IDENTIFIED AS A MISSION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20530

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $12,195 to MAGNET FORENSICS, LLC for work described as: FY26 REQUIREMENT HUD SOC - MAGNET FORENSIC LICENSES THIS REQUEST IS IDENTIFIED AS A MISSION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT Key points: 1. High reliance on a single vendor for critical software. 2. Limited competition raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Potential risk if vendor pricing increases significantly. 4. Software Publishers sector sees high demand for specialized tools.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is for Magnet Forensics licenses with a firm fixed price. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal or reflects market value for similar software solutions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This procurement is 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' indicating a limited competition approach. The lack of a competitive bidding process may hinder effective price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may bear a higher cost due to the absence of competitive bidding, as the government cannot leverage market forces to secure the best possible price.

Public Impact

Ensures critical digital forensic capabilities for the Department of Justice. Supports ongoing investigations and evidence analysis. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source procurement
Lack of price competition
Mission-critical software dependency

Positive Signals

Mission essential requirement
Firm fixed price contract

Sector Analysis

The Software Publishers sector (NAICS 513210) is characterized by high innovation and specialized products. Spending benchmarks for digital forensics software can vary widely based on features and user volume, making direct comparisons challenging without detailed scope.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is with Magnet Forensics, LLC, a known entity in the digital forensics market. Further analysis would be needed to confirm if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests a potential gap in competitive sourcing procedures. Oversight should focus on ensuring this limited competition is justified and that future procurements explore all viable competitive avenues.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Department of Justice Contracting
Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for price gouging
Vendor lock-in risk
Dependency on a single software provider

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $12,195 to MAGNET FORENSICS, LLC. FY26 REQUIREMENT HUD SOC - MAGNET FORENSIC LICENSES THIS REQUEST IS IDENTIFIED AS A MISSION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MAGNET FORENSICS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12,195.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-06-17. End: 2027-06-16.

What is the justification for not competing this requirement, especially given its mission-essential nature?

The justification for not competing this requirement likely stems from the specialized nature of Magnet Forensics software and its perceived unique capabilities essential for the Department of Justice's mission. However, a thorough market analysis should still be conducted to ensure no viable alternatives exist or that the current vendor's pricing is fair and reasonable, even if competition is limited.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source or limited competition procurement for mission-critical software?

The primary risks include inflated pricing due to lack of market pressure, potential vendor lock-in, and reduced incentive for the vendor to innovate or offer competitive pricing. If the software becomes unavailable or prohibitively expensive, the agency's mission could be severely impacted, necessitating costly and time-consuming transitions to alternative solutions.

How can the agency ensure value for money when procuring specialized software with limited competition?

The agency can ensure value by conducting robust price analysis, benchmarking against similar government or commercial contracts if possible, negotiating favorable terms and conditions, and exploring multi-year agreements with built-in price caps. Seeking technical expertise to validate the necessity and functionality of the software is also crucial.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

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

Parent Company: Magnet Forensics LLC

Address: 300 COLONIAL CENTER PKWY STE 130, ROSWELL, GA, 30076

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,195

Exercised Options: $12,195

Current Obligation: $12,195

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Timeline