DHS Coast Guard awards $948K for digital forensic examiner assistance to support legal reviews

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $94,875 ($94.9K)

Contractor: Roloff Digital Forensics LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-06-18

End Date: 2026-06-17

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $261/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ROLOFF DIGITAL FORENSIC EXAMINER ASSISTANCE FOR DEFENSIVE COUNCIL REVIEWS AND EXAMINE DIGITAL CASE AND REBUTTAL EVIDENCE OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: NORFOLK, NORFOLK CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23510

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $94,875 to ROLOFF DIGITAL FORENSICS LLC for work described as: ROLOFF DIGITAL FORENSIC EXAMINER ASSISTANCE FOR DEFENSIVE COUNCIL REVIEWS AND EXAMINE DIGITAL CASE AND REBUTTAL EVIDENCE OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized digital forensic analysis for defensive council reviews. 2. Awarded to Roloff Digital Forensics LLC, a single-source provider for this specific service. 3. The contract duration is one year, indicating a need for ongoing support. 4. Pricing appears to be a firm fixed price, offering cost certainty. 5. The service falls under legal services, supporting the Department of Homeland Security's mission. 6. This award represents a small portion of overall federal spending in legal services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value for this specific digital forensic examiner assistance is challenging due to the niche nature of the services. The contract value of $948,750 for a 364-day period suggests a daily rate of approximately $2,606. This rate needs to be compared against specialized forensic service providers in the market. Without more detailed service descriptions or comparable contract data, a definitive value assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides some cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a limited competition environment. While the specific details of the solicitation are not provided, SAP is typically used for procurements below a certain threshold where full and open competition may not be feasible or cost-effective. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies a streamlined process that may not have attracted a wide range of potential offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to full and open competition, as the pool of potential bidders is smaller.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard's Defensive Council benefits directly from this specialized legal support. Services provided include examination of digital case evidence and rebuttal evidence. This contract supports legal proceedings and administrative reviews within the Coast Guard. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the U.S. Coast Guard, with potential for remote analysis. Workforce implications include the need for skilled digital forensic examiners to support legal teams.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may restrict price discovery and potentially increase costs for taxpayers.
The specialized nature of the service could create a reliance on a few key providers.
Transparency regarding the specific evaluation criteria used under SAP is limited.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a specialized firm suggests access to necessary expertise.
Contract supports critical legal functions within the U.S. Coast Guard.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on legal services and digital forensics. The market for digital forensics is growing rapidly due to the increasing volume of digital data. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government agencies or large corporations seeking similar specialized investigative and analytical support for legal matters. The overall federal spending on legal services is substantial, with a significant portion allocated to specialized areas like forensic analysis.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. Given the specialized nature of digital forensics, it is possible that the primary contractor, Roloff Digital Forensics LLC, is itself a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation, if any.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the U.S. Coast Guard. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Legal Services
Digital Forensics Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracts
U.S. Coast Guard Procurement
Government IT Support Services

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Specialized Service Dependency
Performance Risk in Legal Support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $94,875 to ROLOFF DIGITAL FORENSICS LLC. ROLOFF DIGITAL FORENSIC EXAMINER ASSISTANCE FOR DEFENSIVE COUNCIL REVIEWS AND EXAMINE DIGITAL CASE AND REBUTTAL EVIDENCE OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROLOFF DIGITAL FORENSICS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $94,875.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-18. End: 2026-06-17.

What is the track record of Roloff Digital Forensics LLC with federal agencies?

Information regarding Roloff Digital Forensics LLC's specific track record with federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to review past federal contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any publicly available information on their past projects. A thorough review would involve searching federal procurement databases and potentially seeking feedback from agencies they have previously served. Understanding their experience with similar digital forensic examinations for legal defense purposes would be crucial.

How does the daily rate of approximately $2,606 compare to market rates for digital forensic examiners?

The estimated daily rate of $2,606 for digital forensic examiner assistance needs careful benchmarking. Rates for highly specialized forensic experts can vary significantly based on experience, certifications, and the complexity of the cases. Market research would involve comparing this rate against similar services procured by other federal agencies or large private sector organizations. Factors such as the specific tools and software used, the required level of expertise (e.g., senior examiner vs. junior analyst), and the geographic location of service delivery can influence pricing. Without specific market data for comparable services, it is difficult to definitively state if this rate is competitive.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks associated with this contract include the potential for scope creep if the digital evidence examination requirements are not clearly defined, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the contractor's ability to maintain the necessary security clearances and handle sensitive case information appropriately. Dependence on a single provider for specialized services could also pose a risk if the contractor fails to perform or experiences business disruptions. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the digital evidence analysis directly impacts the outcome of legal proceedings, making performance risk critical.

How effective is the U.S. Coast Guard's use of external contractors for digital forensic services?

The effectiveness of the U.S. Coast Guard's use of external contractors for digital forensic services can be assessed by examining the outcomes of legal cases supported by these services, the timeliness of evidence examination, and the quality of the forensic reports. Data on the success rate of cases where contractor-provided forensic analysis was utilized, along with feedback from the legal teams, would be indicative of effectiveness. The Coast Guard's reliance on external expertise suggests a potential gap in internal capabilities or a need for specialized skills not readily available in-house. Evaluating the contractor's adherence to forensic best practices and legal standards is also crucial.

What has been the historical spending pattern for digital forensic examiner assistance by the U.S. Coast Guard?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for digital forensic examiner assistance by the U.S. Coast Guard would require accessing historical procurement data. This would involve identifying previous contracts for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding trends in spending, such as increases or decreases in contract values or the number of awards over time, can reveal the Coast Guard's evolving needs and resource allocation for digital forensics. Comparing this contract's value to historical averages would provide context on whether this award is typical or an outlier.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › All Other Legal Services

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: 906 W 2ND AVE, SPOKANE, WA, 99201

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: $94,875

Exercised Options: $94,875

Current Obligation: $94,875

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline