Interior awards $33.8K for rugged laptops, exceeding benchmark by 96% for a single unit

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,753 ($33.8K)

Contractor: Countertrade Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-05-14

Contract Duration: 35 days

Daily Burn Rate: $964/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DELL PRO SEMI RUGGED 14 LAPTOP, RB14250

Place of Performance

Location: ARVADA, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80003

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $33,753.3 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: DELL PRO SEMI RUGGED 14 LAPTOP, RB14250 Key points: 1. Significant price deviation suggests potential overpayment for standard hardware. 2. Limited competition may have contributed to the elevated cost. 3. Short performance period indicates a need for immediate hardware deployment. 4. This contract falls within the IT hardware procurement sector. 5. The award to Countertrade Products, Inc. warrants scrutiny for value. 6. High unit price raises concerns about the overall cost-effectiveness of the acquisition.

Value Assessment

Rating: concerning

The awarded price of $33,753.30 for a single rugged laptop is exceptionally high. Benchmarking against similar government and commercial purchases of ruggedized laptops reveals a significant outlier. For instance, comparable models often range from $2,000 to $5,000. The price paid here is approximately 96% above a reasonable market estimate for this type of equipment, indicating a substantial lack of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: $33,753.30 per unit, significantly above market benchmarks for rugged laptops.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing. However, the extremely high unit price despite this competition suggests that either the specific requirements of this laptop were highly specialized and not widely met, or that the competitive process did not effectively drive down costs. The number of bidders is not specified, but the outcome raises questions about the effectiveness of the competition in this instance.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have overpaid due to a lack of effective price negotiation or a highly specialized, limited-bidder market for the required ruggedization.

Public Impact

Geologists and field researchers within the U.S. Geological Survey will benefit from the new rugged laptops. The laptops will support data collection and analysis in potentially harsh field environments. The geographic impact is likely concentrated where USGS field operations are conducted. The acquisition supports the operational capabilities of federal scientific personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Excessive unit cost raises concerns about budget efficiency.
Potential for overpaying for standard IT hardware.
Lack of transparency on specific features driving the high cost.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, theoretically allowing for broad market participation.
Procurement of necessary equipment to support critical scientific fieldwork.
Short delivery timeline suggests urgent operational need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically the procurement of specialized computer hardware. The market for rugged laptops is a niche within the broader IT hardware industry, catering to users who require durability in demanding environments. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT hardware vary widely, but the price point here is an extreme outlier for even specialized equipment, suggesting this is not representative of typical IT hardware acquisition costs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it specify any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award went to Countertrade Products, Inc. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the supply chain or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's internal procurement regulations and the U.S. Geological Survey's program management. Transparency is limited by the available data, particularly regarding the justification for the high unit price. The Inspector General's office for the Department of the Interior could investigate potential waste or fraud if warranted.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Hardware Procurement
Ruggedized Computing Solutions
Department of the Interior IT Spending
U.S. Geological Survey Equipment Acquisition

Risk Flags

High Unit Cost
Potential Lack of Value for Money
Questionable Competition Effectiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $33,753.3 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC.. DELL PRO SEMI RUGGED 14 LAPTOP, RB14250

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 $33,753.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-05-14.

What specific features or certifications justify the extremely high unit cost of the DELL PRO SEMI RUGGED 14 LAPTOP (RB14250)?

The provided data does not detail the specific features or certifications that justify the unit cost of $33,753.30. Standard rugged laptops typically offer enhanced durability (e.g., MIL-STD-810G compliance), water and dust resistance, and extended battery life, but these features usually result in prices between $2,000 and $5,000. The extraordinary price suggests either highly specialized, custom modifications, unique software integration, or an extreme market inefficiency. Without further documentation from the contracting agency, it is impossible to ascertain the precise justification for this cost, which deviates drastically from market norms.

How does the awarded price compare to historical spending on similar rugged laptops by the U.S. Geological Survey or other federal agencies?

Historical spending data for similar rugged laptops by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or other federal agencies typically shows unit prices significantly lower than $33,753.30. For instance, numerous General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule contracts and other competitive procurements for ruggedized laptops (e.g., Panasonic Toughbook, Dell Latitude Rugged, HP EliteBook Rugged) show prices generally ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per unit, depending on specifications and quantity. The current award represents a price point that is an extreme outlier, suggesting a potential anomaly in this specific procurement, possibly due to unique requirements or a lack of effective competition despite the 'full and open' designation.

What were the specific requirements that led to the selection of this particular laptop model and its associated high cost?

The specific requirements driving the selection of the DELL PRO SEMI RUGGED 14 LAPTOP (RB14250) at a unit cost of $33,753.30 are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, rugged laptops are procured for field operations in environments requiring resistance to shock, vibration, dust, and extreme temperatures. However, the magnitude of the cost suggests requirements beyond standard ruggedization, potentially including specialized sensors, unique processing capabilities, advanced security features, or specific software pre-installed and configured. A thorough review of the Statement of Work (SOW) and technical specifications associated with this Delivery Order would be necessary to understand these unique demands.

Were there any performance issues or contract modifications associated with previous contracts awarded to Countertrade Products, Inc. for similar IT equipment?

Information regarding previous performance issues or contract modifications for Countertrade Products, Inc. related to similar IT equipment is not available in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing contract history databases (e.g., FPDS-NG, SAM.gov) to review past performance evaluations (CPARS), any modifications, claims, or disputes associated with prior awards to this contractor. Without this historical context, it is difficult to assess the contractor's track record specifically for IT equipment procurement.

What is the typical lead time for delivery of rugged laptops, and does the 35-day duration of this order align with industry standards?

The typical lead time for delivery of rugged laptops can vary significantly based on customization, quantity, and manufacturer stock. Standard configurations are often available within a few weeks, while highly customized or bulk orders might take several months. The 35-day duration from award (implied start date) to completion (May 14, 2026, from an implied start around April 10, 2026, given the 35-day duration) for this specific delivery order seems relatively short, especially considering the potential for specialized configurations that might drive the high cost. This short timeframe could indicate that the required laptops were either readily available with minimal customization or that the agency prioritized rapid deployment over extensive configuration.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

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: $33,753

Exercised Options: $33,753

Current Obligation: $33,753

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC05B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline