IRS Criminal Investigation Buys $174K Forensic Toolkit for eDiscovery Needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $174,430 ($174.4K)
Contractor: FCN, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury
Start Date: 2024-09-20
End Date: 2026-09-29
Contract Duration: 739 days
Daily Burn Rate: $236/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THIS IS A DELIVERY ORDER TO ACQUIRE THE USE OF A SECONDARY FORENSIC TOOL KIT (FTK) FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (CI) DIVISION TO FULFILL ITS EDISCOVERY MANDATE.
Place of Performance
Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75244
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Treasury obligated $174,429.84 to FCN, INC. for work described as: THIS IS A DELIVERY ORDER TO ACQUIRE THE USE OF A SECONDARY FORENSIC TOOL KIT (FTK) FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (CI) DIVISION TO FULFILL ITS EDISCOVERY MANDATE. Key points: 1. The IRS CI Division is acquiring a secondary forensic toolkit to support its eDiscovery mandate. 2. FCN, INC. is the contractor, awarded under a full and open competition. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order with a duration of 739 days. 4. This acquisition aims to enhance the division's capabilities in digital forensic investigations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $174,429.84 price for the forensic toolkit appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the software and services required for eDiscovery. Benchmarking against similar forensic software licenses and support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that likely led to a fair market price. This method allows for the widest possible participation, promoting price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential investigative tools.
Public Impact
Enhances IRS's ability to conduct digital forensic investigations. Supports the agency's mandate for eDiscovery in criminal investigations. Provides critical tools for analyzing electronic evidence. Aims to improve efficiency and accuracy in forensic analysis. Potentially aids in successful prosecution of financial crimes.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if this becomes the primary tool.
- Reliance on a single secondary tool could pose operational risks.
- Need for ongoing training and maintenance costs not fully detailed.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical law enforcement function.
- Awarded through competitive process.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
The acquisition falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519). Spending in this sector is substantial, driven by the increasing need for IT support, software, and specialized digital services across government agencies for operational efficiency and security.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this was a delivery order under a larger contract, and it does not specify if small businesses were involved in the prime contract or subcontracting. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of the Treasury to the IRS. Oversight would typically involve contract management by the IRS contracting office to ensure performance and adherence to terms, with potential for broader Treasury or GAO review.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of the Treasury Contracting
- Internal Revenue Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for sole-source if future needs arise.
- Dependency on vendor for updates and support.
- Risk of obsolescence in rapidly evolving tech.
- Adequacy of training for effective use.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-the-treasury, tx, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Treasury awarded $174,429.84 to FCN, INC.. THIS IS A DELIVERY ORDER TO ACQUIRE THE USE OF A SECONDARY FORENSIC TOOL KIT (FTK) FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (CI) DIVISION TO FULFILL ITS EDISCOVERY MANDATE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FCN, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $174,429.84.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-20. End: 2026-09-29.
What is the total cost of ownership for this forensic toolkit over its lifecycle, including maintenance, training, and potential upgrades?
The total cost of ownership extends beyond the initial $174,429.84 acquisition. It includes recurring costs for software maintenance, technical support, and potential upgrades to keep the toolkit current with evolving forensic technologies. Additionally, personnel training is crucial for effective utilization, representing a significant investment in human capital. A comprehensive lifecycle cost analysis should account for these factors to provide a complete financial picture.
How does the functionality of this secondary toolkit compare to the IRS CI Division's primary forensic tools, and what gaps does it fill?
This secondary toolkit is intended to supplement existing primary forensic capabilities, likely addressing specific niche requirements or providing redundancy. Its acquisition suggests it fills gaps in areas such as specialized data recovery, advanced malware analysis, or handling specific file formats not adequately covered by current primary tools. Understanding these specific functional enhancements is key to assessing its strategic value and operational impact.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of this forensic toolkit in supporting eDiscovery mandates?
Effectiveness KPIs for this toolkit would likely focus on metrics such as the time required to process and analyze large datasets, the accuracy rate of recovered or analyzed data, the number of cases successfully supported, and the reduction in manual effort for forensic examiners. Measuring its contribution to case resolution times and the overall efficiency of the eDiscovery process would also be critical indicators.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - END USER
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2600 TOWER OAKS BLVD STE 575, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $411,130
Exercised Options: $174,430
Current Obligation: $174,430
Actual Outlays: $174,430
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00CB
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-20
Current End Date: 2026-09-29
Potential End Date: 2029-09-29 16:23:25
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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