DOJ's ATF Awards $6M for Cellebrite Software Licenses to Blue Tech Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,068,039 ($6.1M)
Contractor: Blue Tech Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2022-03-13
End Date: 2027-03-12
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: CELLEBRITE SOFTWARE LICENSES.
Place of Performance
Location: LA JOLLA, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92038
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $6.1 million to BLUE TECH INC. for work described as: CELLEBRITE SOFTWARE LICENSES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Blue Tech Inc. for Cellebrite software licenses. 2. Total contract value is $6,068,039.02 over five years. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. The NAICS code 541519 indicates 'Other Computer Related Services'. 5. This spending falls under the 'IT' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $6.07M over five years for software licenses appears reasonable given the specialized nature of Cellebrite's digital forensics tools. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for advanced analytical software is necessary for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting that while competition was sought, specific source exclusions may have limited the pool. This method can impact price discovery if the excluded sources represent significant competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted by the $6.07M expenditure for software that supports law enforcement investigations. The effectiveness and necessity of this software will determine the ultimate value for taxpayer dollars.
Public Impact
Enhances ATF's digital forensic capabilities for investigations. Supports law enforcement in analyzing digital evidence. Potential for increased efficiency in case processing. Software is critical for modern criminal investigations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to source exclusion.
- High cost for specialized software.
- Dependency on a single vendor's technology.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical law enforcement functions.
- Long-term contract provides stability.
- Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost overruns.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically for specialized software used in digital forensics. Government spending on such tools has increased as digital evidence becomes crucial in investigations, with benchmarks varying widely based on software capabilities and vendor.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Blue Tech Inc., which is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was considered or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Justice, through the ATF, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Accountability will be measured by the software's effectiveness in supporting investigations and the justification for the procurement method and cost.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition driving up costs.
- High reliance on specialized, potentially proprietary software.
- Need for ongoing training and support costs.
- Risk of software obsolescence or vendor lock-in.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-justice, ca, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $6.1 million to BLUE TECH INC.. CELLEBRITE SOFTWARE LICENSES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLUE TECH INC..
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 $6.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-03-13. End: 2027-03-12.
What is the specific justification for excluding certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method, and how did this impact the final price?
The justification for excluding sources typically relates to proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or prior successful integration. Without specific documentation, it's difficult to assess the precise impact on price discovery. However, excluding potential competitors generally reduces downward pressure on pricing, potentially leading to a higher cost than under truly open competition.
How does the per-unit cost or licensing model of Cellebrite software compare to similar digital forensic tools available on the market?
A direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging without detailed licensing breakdowns and feature comparisons. Cellebrite is known for advanced capabilities, which often command premium pricing. Benchmarking against competitors like Magnet Forensics or MSAB would require detailed feature-for-feature analysis and current market pricing, which is not provided here.
What metrics are used by the ATF to measure the effectiveness and return on investment of Cellebrite software licenses?
Effectiveness metrics likely include the number of cases successfully supported, the speed of digital evidence analysis, the types of data recovered, and the successful prosecution rates attributed to the use of the software. ROI would be assessed by comparing the software's cost against the value derived from successful investigations, including potential asset forfeiture or deterrence.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 15A00022R00000008
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4025 HANCOCK ST. STE. 100, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92110
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,068,039
Exercised Options: $6,068,039
Current Obligation: $6,068,039
Actual Outlays: $2,551,013
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD00B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-03-13
Current End Date: 2027-03-12
Potential End Date: 2027-03-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-10
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