How to bid on Field and Background Investigative Services for ATF

What the agency is buying

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) is seeking field and background investigative services. This is a multiple-award opportunity, meaning that the ATF intends to award contracts to several businesses.

This type of contract is important for businesses that can provide specialized investigative support to government agencies.

Key dates and deadlines

This solicitation was published on September 12, 2025. The deadline for submitting your response is June 15, 2030, at 5:00 PM ET. All required documents and your quotation package must be submitted by this time.

Note that if your business already has an existing basic ordering agreement (BOA) with the ATF, you do not need to respond to this request for quotation (RFQ) until at least three to five months before your current BOA expires.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for professional services firms specializing in investigative services, particularly those with experience in field and background investigations. Businesses that have previously held basic ordering agreements with the ATF for similar services should pay close attention to their BOA expiration dates.

The solicitation is for commercial products or services, indicating a need for established businesses with proven capabilities.

How to respond

To access the solicitation documents, click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view all documents, though this is not always required.

Once you have accessed the documents, you must read all attachments and follow the “INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS” under FAR 52.212-1 (SECTION 4.3). These instructions will guide you on how to properly submit questions and how to completely respond to this RFQ and submit your quotation package. Refer to the “...Questions+Responses” file for additional guidance.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Carefully review all amendments to the solicitation. The ATF has issued several amendments, including updates to questions and responses, and changes to the statement of work. Ensure you are working with the most recent version of all documents.

Pay close attention to Section 4.3, “INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS,” and FAR 52.212-1. These sections contain critical details on how to structure your response and what information must be included. A complete and compliant submission is essential.

If you encounter issues saving files, try using the “Save As” option instead of “Save.” This can sometimes resolve download problems with government portals.