DoD Spends $15.4M on Panasonic Toughbooks via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,376,455 ($15.4M)
Contractor: CDW Government LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-09-27
End Date: 2008-03-14
Contract Duration: 169 days
Daily Burn Rate: $91.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: PANASONIC CF-51PF4EEBM TOUGHBOOK
Place of Performance
Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21702, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.4 million to CDW GOVERNMENT LLC for work described as: PANASONIC CF-51PF4EEBM TOUGHBOOK Key points: 1. Significant investment in ruggedized laptops for military operations. 2. CDW Government LLC secured the contract, indicating a competitive market for specialized IT hardware. 3. The contract was awarded under a fixed-price structure, aiming for cost certainty. 4. Spending occurred in FY2007-2008, providing historical context for current procurement needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award value of $15.4 million for 3 units appears high on a per-unit basis. Without specific configuration details or comparable contract data from the same period, a precise valuation is difficult. However, given the specialized nature of ruggedized laptops, the price might reflect advanced durability and features.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value. The fixed-price structure further supports price discovery by setting a ceiling.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefited from a competitive bidding process, which should have driven down costs compared to a sole-source award. The fixed-price contract also provided budget predictability.
Public Impact
Ensures military personnel have access to durable computing devices in challenging environments. Supports operational readiness and data accessibility for deployed forces. Highlights the government's reliance on specialized commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology for defense applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High per-unit cost potential
- Limited contract duration
- Lack of detailed technical specifications
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Fixed-price contract type
- Awarded to a known government contractor
Sector Analysis
The procurement falls under the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on ruggedized computing hardware. Benchmarks for similar specialized military-grade laptops from the 2007-2008 period would be necessary for a precise comparison, but such devices typically command a premium over standard commercial laptops.
Small Business Impact
While the contract was awarded to CDW Government LLC, a large reseller, the underlying manufacturing of the Panasonic Toughbook may involve various suppliers. The data does not indicate if small businesses were directly involved as prime contractors or significant subcontractors in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded in 2007, suggesting it underwent standard procurement oversight processes at the time. The fixed-price nature and competitive award method imply a degree of accountability in pricing and vendor selection.
Related Government Programs
- Electronic Computer Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- High unit cost
- Potential technology obsolescence
- Limited contract duration
- Lack of detailed technical specifications in award data
Tags
electronic-computer-manufacturing, department-of-defense, md, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.4 million to CDW GOVERNMENT LLC. PANASONIC CF-51PF4EEBM TOUGHBOOK
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CDW GOVERNMENT LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-27. End: 2008-03-14.
What was the specific configuration and intended use of these Panasonic Toughbooks to justify the per-unit cost?
The provided data lacks specific configuration details for the Panasonic CF-51PF4EEBM Toughbooks. These ruggedized laptops are designed for harsh environments, often featuring enhanced durability, extended battery life, and specialized connectivity for military or field use. The $15.4 million award for 3 units suggests a very high per-unit cost, potentially indicating highly customized specifications or bulk purchasing inefficiencies.
What is the risk of technology obsolescence for ruggedized laptops procured over a decade ago?
There is a significant risk of technology obsolescence for ruggedized laptops procured in 2007-2008. Modern computing standards, processing power, memory, and connectivity options have advanced considerably. While ruggedness is a key feature, outdated internal components could limit software compatibility, performance, and overall effectiveness for current military operational requirements.
How effectively did the full and open competition ensure the best value for these specialized IT assets?
Full and open competition theoretically maximizes the chance of achieving best value by allowing all eligible vendors to compete. However, the high per-unit cost indicated by the data raises questions about whether the competitive process fully optimized pricing for these specific ruggedized laptops. Further analysis of bid submissions and market conditions at the time would be needed to definitively assess value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: W91QUZ05R0011
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: CDW Corporation (UEI: 808068253)
Address: 230 N MILWAUKEE AVE, VERNON HILLS, IL, 60061
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,376,455
Exercised Options: $15,376,455
Current Obligation: $15,376,455
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W91QUZ06D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-27
Current End Date: 2008-03-14
Potential End Date: 2008-03-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-02-16
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