JOFOC No.:

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JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION (JOFOC) 1

JOFOC NUMBER2: ATF-26-0008

PROCUREMENT REQUEST (PR) NUMBER: DJA-26-ALAB-PR-0127

DATE: 02/17/2026

This document serves as both the justification and approval for acquisitions conducted under the authorities for proposed procurements using other than full and open competition pursuant to the authority under 41 U.S. Code § 3304 – Use of Non-Competitive Procedures and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6 – Competition Requirements.

1. Identification of the agency and contracting activity.

Requiring Agency:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory (FCGIL) Explosives 4504 E 18th ST N Wichita, KS 67208

Contracting/Ordering Activity:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Office of Management – Acquisitions Management Division 99 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20226 Contracting Officer Name:

Email:

1 This is also known as a Justification & Approval. It is the document required by the FAR that justifies and obtains approval for a sole-source contract.

2 This is entered at or after small business review, including the header.

3 COR – Contracting Officer’s Representative – services /GTR – Government Technical Representative – supplies/goods.

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2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

ATF intends to award a sole source Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for ten (10) dual wavelength 77+ Investigation laser and two (2) FSIS II Color imaging system. Arrowhead Scientific, Inc. (also known as Arrowhead Forensics as part of Thomas Scientific, LLC), is the only responsible source that can provide BOTH of the equipment with the necessary technical specifications required for use in an ATF laboratory. This procurement will bring FCGIL up to the same standard as the other laboratories in Laboratory Services (LS).

3. A description of the supplies and/or services required, including the delivery schedule and/or the period of performance (inclusive of all option periods), and the estimated dollar value of the acquisition.

Ten (10) Dual Wavelength Forensic Laser and two (2) Full spectrum color imaging systems are required. This procurement will be used in the triage and latent print section of the new FCGIL facility. This will bring the FCGIL up to the capabilities of the Forensic Science Laboratory Washington ( FSL-W) and FSL Atlanta (FSL-A).

The laboratory requires systems that can provide specific technical requirements listed below:

Forensic laser capabilities:

The forensic laser must be able to produce at least 8W of blue at 445nm (nano meters) and 8W of green at 520nm from the handpiece.

Single pistol grip allows both wavelengths to be delivered from one hand piece.

Diodes located in handpiece to assure maximum output wattage at 10W- with no loss of power by passing through the delivery device/handpiece cords.

System must be controlled by a smart touch screens software system.

The unit must contain integral batteries which can be charged by plugging the unit into a standard outlet.

Power must be adjustable via a touchscreen in increments of 1% to 100% with LED lighted screen feedback display.

The handpiece must have a .25”-20 threaded mount on bottom of laser pistol grip for mounting.

The system must include orange (520 nm) and yellow (445 nm) curved bandpass filters.

The system must include an integrated optical system with flexible rubber fiber delivery cable and handpiece.

The handpiece must have a “dead man’s finger” safety system for user safety.

There must be an “always on” option selectable on the touch screen for static use or for use while photographing evidence.

System must operate with AC power (120V +/- 10%, 50Hz/60Hz) or better.

Warm up time must be less than 10 seconds.

System must include a durable pelican case for field deployment.

Must include two (2) pair of goggles for 445 nm.

Must include two (2) pair of goggles for 520 nm.

System must have at least a one (1) year component failure warranty (parts & labor).

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Full spectrum color imaging system capabilities:

All-In-One Computer (running Windows 11 or upgradable) Intel Six-Core 3.2GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, with a 27-inch 5120 x 2880-pixel (5K resolution) display, a mouse and keyboard.

Fully integrated software.

Full visible spectrum color imaging system camera.

Capture an image at least 5 x 3-inch area with 1000 PPI (pixels per inch) resolution.

Captures up to 3500 PPI resolution.

Able to capture FULL COLOR 24-bit images (60MB file size).

Camera is pre-threaded for optional tripod mounting.

HDR Enhancement is available in live video and image capture.

Full resolution frame rate up to 18 f/s (feet/second).

Fast scan frame rate up to 60 f/s.

Zoom focus frame rate up to 142 f/s.

Integrated Foot Pedal switch (for hands-free image capture).

Hydraulic camera arm mount.

Flexible arm for light source.

Full spectrum color from 254 nm to 1100 nm.

50mm UV (ultraviolet) Lens with Universal Filter Holder.

Band-pass filters (254nm, 365nm UV, 450nm Blue, 550nm Orange, 695nm IR and 830nm IRs).

3 Position Filter Slider includes: 254nm UV, 550nm Orange, 830nm IR Filter.

Shortwave (254nm) UV Light.

3 watt, 365nm (UV); a 3 watt, 455nm (Blue); 3 watt, 525nm (Green); 3 watt, 625nm (Red);

and 3 watt, 850nm (Infrared) lights.

Chargers for all lights (12V, 100-240VAC).

UV Face shield and orange goggles.

Two (2) Year Manufacturer Warranty.

Must hold patent for the 254nm bulb and enable the user to” paint with the light”

Ten (10) Dual wavelength forensic Lasers and two (2) Full spectrum color imaging system will be delivered to any of the current ATF laboratories:

A. Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory (FCGIL) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 4504 E 18th ST N Wichita, KS 67208

B. ATF FSL-A:

2600 Century Parkway NE, Suite 400 Atlanta, GA 30345

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C. ATF FSL-W

6000 Ammendale Road Beltsville, Maryland 20705

The estimated dates of this BPA are as follows:

Base year: 3/30/2026-3/29/2027 Option year 1: 3/30/2027-3/29/2028 Option year 2: 3/30/2028-3/29/2029 Option year 3: 3/30/2029-3/29/2030 Option year 4: 3/30/2030-3/29/2031

The estimated cost for the lifecycle of the BPA is $547,881.54 with a required delivery date no later than sixty (60) days after purchase order awarded.

4. Identify statutory authority permitting limiting sources.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S. Code § 3304 – Use of Non-Competitive Procedures and the exceptions listed under FAR 6.103 – Circumstances permitting other than full and open competition..

FAR 6.103-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

FAR 6.103-2 Unusual and compelling urgency.

FAR 6.103-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services.

FAR 6.103-4 International agreement.

FAR 6.103-5 Authorized or required by statute.

FAR 6.103-6 – National Security

FAR 6.103-7 Public Interest

5. A statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring use of the authority.

Arrowhead Forensics through Thomas Scientific LLC is the only vendor that can provide BOTH an independent DUAL WAVELENGTH Forensic Laser and FSIS II color imaging system. Arrowhead Forensics has the systems that meets all the technical requirements as required by the laboratory to ensure all ATF laboratories have the same capabilities. According to their sole source document, only

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Arrowhead Forensics can provide both these systems. Arrowhead now falls under Thomas Scientific LLC, which is a small business.

During market research it was identified that Arrowhead Forensics/Thomas Scientific LLC was awarded a sole source contract on 2/12/2024 by ATF (15A00024PAQA00081) and 6/14/2022 by ATF (15A00022PAQA00250). Additionally, on 11/22/2021, Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (DOJ-FBI) sole sourced two (2) dual wavelength lasers (Dual 77+ pistol grip investigation laser) under contract number 15F06722P0004263. On 3/11/2023, DOJ-FBI also sole sourced the FSIS II system (Notice ID: PR-0002233) with Arrowhead Scientific, Inc./Arrowhead Forensics.

No other vendor manufactures a dual laser and full color imaging system that meets the minimum technical requirements. Market research identifies that other manufacturers make a dual wavelength laser, but the only systems that meet the minimum technical requirements of ATF identified in Section 3 are from Arrowhead Forensics/Thomas Scientific LLC

Denial of this purchase would impede upon and negatively impact ATF’s law enforcement investigations and training of future law enforcement and examiners.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure offers/quotes were solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

On 01/22/2024, a Request for Information (RFI) (# DJA-24-ALAB-PR-0197) was posted on SAM.gov seeking Brand Name or equal sources for the specifications listed in Section 5. No responses were received.

On 01/27/2026, another RFI/Sources Sought was posted ( (# DJA-26-ALAB-PR-XXXX) on SAM.gov and only two (2) responses were received, one (1) from Thomas Scientific Holdings, DBA Arrowhead Forensics who can meet this requirement. The other response from Government Science Source in which they state they cannot meet ATF’s requirements as the items can only be procured directly from Arrowhead Forensics.

The Contracting Officer intends to issue a special notice in accordance with FAR 5.201 advising that ATF intends to solicit on a sole source basis as allowed under FAR 12.102-(a) to Thomas Scientific Holdings, DBA Arrowhead Forensics.

7. The anticipated dollar value of the proposed acquisition, including options if applicable, and a determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable.

The estimated cost for this purchase is $547,881.54. At least two (2) dual wavelength 77+ Investigation lasers will be purchased in the base year to be delivered to FCGIL. It is anticipated as the laboratory increases compacity, it will purchase a total of ten (10) lasers and two (2) color imaging systems.