Interior's USGS Spends $51K on Dell Servers via Full & Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $51,392 ($51.4K)
Contractor: Countertrade Products, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-03-12
End Date: 2026-09-02
Contract Duration: 174 days
Daily Burn Rate: $295/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: 70329449 DCS011 DELL POWEREDGE R770 SERVER
Place of Performance
Location: ARVADA, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80003
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $51,392.03 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: 70329449 DCS011 DELL POWEREDGE R770 SERVER Key points: 1. Spending on Dell servers is a common IT infrastructure cost. 2. Competition method suggests potential for fair pricing. 3. Risk is moderate, tied to hardware obsolescence and vendor support. 4. IT hardware procurement falls under standard government purchasing. 5. Small business participation is not indicated in this award.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The price of $51,392.03 for a Dell PowerEdge R770 server appears reasonable given the typical costs for enterprise-grade server hardware. Benchmarking against similar government or commercial contracts for comparable models would confirm this assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a competitive process was used. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value is obtained.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used efficiently through a competitive bidding process, aiming to secure necessary IT equipment at a fair price.
Public Impact
Ensures USGS has necessary computing resources for data analysis and operations. Supports scientific research and mapping initiatives. Hardware procurement contributes to the broader IT infrastructure of the Department of the Interior.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for hardware obsolescence within the contract period.
- Reliance on a single vendor for specific hardware models.
- Limited visibility into the specific configuration and performance needs.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process.
- Clear delivery order with defined end dates.
- Firm fixed price contract type.
Sector Analysis
This procurement falls within the IT hardware sector, specifically servers, which are critical for data processing and storage. Spending on servers is a routine part of government IT budgets, with costs varying based on specifications and volume.
Small Business Impact
The award does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. While the competition was full and open, it's unclear if small businesses had the opportunity to participate or were prime contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, suggesting some level of pre-award vetting. Oversight would focus on ensuring delivery meets specifications and the price remains competitive throughout the order period.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Hardware obsolescence risk
- Potential for vendor lock-in on specific hardware
- Lack of detailed configuration information
- Unclear small business participation
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-the-interior, co, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $51,392.03 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC.. 70329449 DCS011 DELL POWEREDGE R770 SERVER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $51,392.03.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-03-12. End: 2026-09-02.
What is the specific configuration of the Dell PowerEdge R770 server and how does it align with the USGS's performance requirements?
The provided data lacks specific configuration details for the Dell PowerEdge R770 server. Understanding the CPU, RAM, storage capacity, and other specifications is crucial to fully assess if the $51,392.03 price is justified and if the hardware adequately meets the USGS's demanding scientific data processing and analysis needs.
What are the potential risks associated with hardware obsolescence for these servers within the contract's timeframe?
Given the typical lifecycle of enterprise servers, there's a moderate risk of obsolescence within the 174-day contract duration, especially if the R770 is an older model. This could impact performance, security updates, and future compatibility with software, potentially requiring premature replacement and additional spending.
How effectively does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method ensure optimal value for this server procurement?
This competition method aims for value by allowing all responsible sources to compete after initial exclusions, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the solicitation, the number of bidders, and whether the exclusions were justified to ensure fair competition and prevent market manipulation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7585 W 66TH AVE, ARVADA, CO, 80003
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $51,392
Exercised Options: $51,392
Current Obligation: $51,392
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC65B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-03-12
Current End Date: 2026-09-02
Potential End Date: 2026-09-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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