Interior Department awards $14.9K IT order for historic trail supplies, highlighting niche tech needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,870 ($14.9K)

Contractor: Countertrade Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2026-06-12

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $248/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SUPPLY, FY26 1ST CYCLE IT ORDER - LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL - DOI STOREFRONT

Place of Performance

Location: OMAHA, DOUGLAS County, NEBRASKA, 68102

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $14,870.45 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: SUPPLY, FY26 1ST CYCLE IT ORDER - LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL - DOI STOREFRONT Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the short duration and specialized nature of the IT supplies. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting a competitive market for these goods. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the small contract value and short performance period. 4. Performance context is tied to supporting the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail's operational needs. 5. Sector positioning places this within the broader IT hardware and manufacturing segment for government agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14,870.45 for a 60-day delivery order is modest. Benchmarking against similar IT supply contracts for federal agencies reveals that pricing for electronic computer manufacturing components can vary widely. However, for a specific, potentially niche requirement supporting a historic site, this price point seems within a reasonable range, especially considering it was awarded under full and open competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit an offer. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but the designation implies a competitive process was available. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from a wide range of potential suppliers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible price and value through a competitive bidding process, rather than potentially overpaying through a less open method.

Public Impact

The National Park Service benefits from receiving necessary IT supplies to maintain operations. Services delivered include the provision of electronic computer manufacturing components. Geographic impact is localized to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, supporting its administrative functions. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the contractor's staff involved in manufacturing and delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a healthy market.
Modest contract value reduces financial risk.
Short performance period limits exposure to potential issues.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically the manufacturing of electronic computer components. The federal government is a significant purchaser of IT hardware and related services. Spending in this area supports a wide range of agency operations, from administrative tasks to complex data processing. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT hardware can range from thousands to millions of dollars depending on the scope and scale of the requirement.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit mention of subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's National Park Service contracting officers and program managers. Standard procurement regulations and contract administration processes provide accountability. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract awards through federal databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Hardware Procurement
National Park Service Operations Support
Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Electronic Computer Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Potential for technology obsolescence given the nature of IT components.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $14,870.45 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC.. SUPPLY, FY26 1ST CYCLE IT ORDER - LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL - DOI STOREFRONT

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 (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14,870.45.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2026-06-12.

What is the track record of Countertrade Products, Inc. with federal contracts?

Countertrade Products, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily for IT hardware and related supplies. Analyzing their past performance data would reveal the types of agencies they have served, the value and duration of previous awards, and any reported performance issues or successes. A review of their contract history can indicate their reliability and experience in fulfilling government requirements, particularly within the electronic computer manufacturing domain. Understanding their past performance is crucial for assessing the risk associated with this current award and for future procurement decisions.

How does the unit cost of the electronic computer manufacturing components compare to market rates?

The provided data does not include specific unit costs for the electronic computer manufacturing components, only the total award amount ($14,870.45) for an unspecified quantity of items. To benchmark unit costs, one would need to identify the specific items procured (e.g., specific models of computers, peripherals, or components) and compare their prices to those offered by other vendors or listed on government-wide purchasing vehicles like the General Services Administration (GSA) schedules. Without itemized details, a precise unit cost comparison is not feasible. However, the overall contract value being relatively small suggests that the individual unit costs were likely not exorbitant.

What are the potential risks associated with this specific IT order?

The potential risks associated with this IT order are relatively low, primarily due to its modest value ($14,870.45) and short performance period (60 days). Key risks could include delivery delays, receipt of non-conforming products, or potential obsolescence of the IT components if they are highly specialized or rapidly evolving technology. However, the full and open competition award method suggests a competitive market, which typically mitigates price-related risks. The primary risk mitigation lies in the contractor's adherence to the firm-fixed-price contract terms and the government's quality assurance processes upon delivery.

How effective is the National Park Service in procuring necessary IT supplies through such delivery orders?

The effectiveness of the National Park Service (NPS) in procuring necessary IT supplies through delivery orders like this one can be assessed by examining their overall IT procurement strategy and execution. Delivery orders, often issued against existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or schedules, are generally an efficient mechanism for acquiring specific, time-sensitive needs. The success of this particular order depends on whether the supplies meet the NPS's requirements for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and are delivered on time and within budget. A broader analysis would look at NPS's overall IT spending patterns, contract performance metrics, and user satisfaction with procured technology.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT supplies at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail?

Historical spending patterns for IT supplies specifically at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail are not detailed in the provided data. This award represents a single IT order valued at $14,870.45 for FY26. To understand historical patterns, one would need to analyze procurement data for this specific location or the broader National Park Service region over multiple fiscal years. This would involve identifying recurring needs for IT hardware, software, or services, the typical contract vehicles used, average spending levels, and the frequency of such procurements. Without this historical context, it's difficult to determine if this FY26 order is typical, an increase, or a decrease in spending.

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

Solicitation ID: 140P6426Q0054

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: $14,870

Exercised Options: $14,870

Current Obligation: $14,870

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC05B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline