Agriculture Department renews software and equipment warranty for $28.5K, extending coverage for survey controllers

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,493 ($28.5K)

Contractor: Frontier Precision, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $983/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRIMBLE TSC710 SURVEY CONTROLLERS, LICENSE WARRANTY RENEWAL, POLE BRACKETS, TYPE C CHARGER (6 EACH)

Place of Performance

Location: BISMARCK, BURLEIGH County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58502

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $28,493.1 to FRONTIER PRECISION, INC for work described as: TRIMBLE TSC710 SURVEY CONTROLLERS, LICENSE WARRANTY RENEWAL, POLE BRACKETS, TYPE C CHARGER (6 EACH) Key points: 1. Value for money assessed by comparing renewal costs to potential replacement or out-of-warranty repair expenses. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source renewal, potentially limiting price negotiation opportunities. 3. Risk indicators include reliance on a single vendor for critical equipment maintenance. 4. Performance context suggests continued operational reliance on these specific survey controllers. 5. Sector positioning places this within the IT hardware and software maintenance category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $28,493.10 for a one-year renewal of software licenses, warranty, and accessories appears reasonable for specialized survey equipment. However, without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents the best possible price. Benchmarking against similar renewal contracts for comparable equipment would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. The single award to Frontier Precision, Inc. suggests that either only one vendor could provide the specific renewal terms or that the agency opted for a direct renewal without exploring other options. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces for potentially lower pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the most cost-effective solution due to the absence of a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to higher overall spending on equipment maintenance.

Public Impact

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer within the Department of Agriculture benefits from continued operational support for its survey activities. Services delivered include software license renewal, warranty coverage, and replacement of essential accessories like pole brackets and chargers. Geographic impact is primarily within North Dakota, where the equipment is likely utilized. Workforce implications involve ensuring field staff have reliable and functional survey equipment for their duties.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing over time.
Dependence on a single vendor for renewals could create future supply chain risks.
Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Ensures continuity of operations for critical survey equipment.
Maintains warranty coverage, reducing unexpected repair costs.
Provides necessary accessories for equipment functionality.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT hardware and software maintenance sector, specifically for specialized surveying equipment. The market for such equipment and its associated maintenance is often niche, with a few key players. The total federal spending on similar IT hardware and software maintenance services is substantial, but this specific renewal represents a small portion of that overall expenditure.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to include specific small business set-aside provisions. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this particular award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore minimal for this specific transaction.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's internal procurement and financial management controls. Accountability rests with the contracting officers and program managers responsible for ensuring the necessity and reasonableness of the expenditure. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with justification typically documented internally.

Related Government Programs

Surveying Equipment Maintenance
Software License Renewals
IT Hardware Support Services
Department of Agriculture IT Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for non-competitive pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $28,493.1 to FRONTIER PRECISION, INC. TRIMBLE TSC710 SURVEY CONTROLLERS, LICENSE WARRANTY RENEWAL, POLE BRACKETS, TYPE C CHARGER (6 EACH)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FRONTIER PRECISION, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28,493.1.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the track record of Frontier Precision, Inc. in providing similar services to the federal government?

Frontier Precision, Inc. has a history of providing surveying and mapping equipment and services to various government agencies. A review of federal procurement data indicates they have received multiple awards for equipment sales, maintenance, and software licenses. While specific details on past performance for warranty renewals of Trimble TSC710 controllers would require deeper analysis of individual contract performance reports, their presence in the federal market suggests experience with government contracting requirements. Further investigation into past performance evaluations for similar contracts could provide more insight into their reliability and service quality.

How does the renewal cost compare to the initial purchase price of the equipment?

The provided data does not include the initial purchase price of the Trimble TSC710 Survey Controllers. Therefore, a direct comparison of the renewal cost to the initial acquisition cost cannot be made. Generally, annual maintenance and software renewal costs for specialized equipment can range from 10% to 25% of the original purchase price, depending on the technology's complexity and the vendor's pricing structure. Without the original price, it is difficult to definitively assess if this renewal represents a fair value relative to the initial investment.

What are the potential risks associated with renewing a warranty and software license from a single vendor?

Renewing a warranty and software license from a single vendor, as in this case with Frontier Precision, Inc., presents several potential risks. Firstly, it can lead to a lack of price competition, potentially resulting in higher costs for the government over time compared to a scenario where multiple vendors could bid. Secondly, it creates vendor lock-in, making it difficult and potentially costly to switch to a different provider or solution in the future. Thirdly, there's a risk of service degradation or price increases if the vendor faces financial difficulties or decides to change their pricing strategy, with the government having limited leverage. Finally, it reduces the government's ability to negotiate favorable terms and conditions.

What is the typical duration and cost for similar Trimble TSC710 warranty renewals in the federal market?

Determining the 'typical' duration and cost for similar Trimble TSC710 warranty renewals across the federal market is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of all such contracts. However, based on the provided data, this renewal is for a 12-month period (May 2026 to April 2027) at a cost of $28,493.10. This translates to approximately $2,374 per month. Federal contracts for specialized IT hardware maintenance and software licenses can vary significantly based on the specific components covered, the level of support (e.g., 24/7 vs. business hours), and the vendor's pricing models. A thorough benchmark would require analyzing multiple similar contracts awarded over the past few years.

What justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which strongly suggests a sole-source or limited competition justification. However, the specific justification document or rationale is not included in the abbreviated data. Typically, sole-source awards require a formal justification citing reasons such as the unique capability of the vendor, the need for compatibility with existing systems, or the unavailability of the required goods or services from other sources. Without the official justification, it's impossible to detail the exact reasoning behind this non-competitive award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1713 BURLINGTON DR, BISMARCK, ND, 58504

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,493

Exercised Options: $28,493

Current Obligation: $28,493

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline