Interior Department awards $73.5M for laptops, with 28-day delivery, to Countertrade Products, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $73,521 ($73.5K)

Contractor: Countertrade Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 28 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DENA FY26 LAPTOP REPLACEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: ARVADA, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80003

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $73,520.95 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: DENA FY26 LAPTOP REPLACEMENT Key points: 1. The contract's short 28-day duration suggests a need for rapid deployment or replacement of essential IT equipment. 2. A single delivery order under a larger contract indicates potential for follow-on work or a phased approach. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the final value will depend on the exact quantity and specifications delivered. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334111 points to the manufacturing of electronic computers, aligning with the product being procured. 5. The contract's value, while significant, needs to be benchmarked against similar large-scale IT procurements to assess value for money. 6. The absence of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements may limit opportunities for smaller firms in this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $73.5 million for laptops is substantial. Without specific details on the quantity, model, and configuration of the laptops, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty for the government. The short delivery period of 28 days might imply a premium for expedited service or a specific, urgent need, which could impact the overall value proposition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it resulted in a single delivery order implies that Countertrade Products, Inc. was the selected vendor among potentially several. The level of competition, while initially broad, ultimately led to one award, the specifics of which (e.g., number of bids received) are not detailed here.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation. However, the ultimate savings depend on the number of responsive bids and the government's negotiation leverage.

Public Impact

National Park Service staff across various locations will benefit from updated computing hardware, potentially improving operational efficiency. The procurement supports the delivery of essential IT equipment, crucial for the day-to-day operations of the Department of the Interior. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, given the operational scope of the National Park Service, though specific deployment locations are not detailed. The contract may have implications for the IT workforce involved in the manufacturing, configuration, and deployment of these laptops.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed specifications for the laptops makes it difficult to assess if the procured equipment represents the best value or meets specific performance needs.
The short 28-day delivery window could indicate an urgent need, potentially leading to higher costs or compromises on product selection.
The contract is a single delivery order, raising questions about the overall scope and potential for future modifications or additional orders.
No information is provided on warranty, support, or maintenance, which are critical components of IT asset management and total cost of ownership.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The procurement aligns with the National Park Service's need for updated IT infrastructure.
The award to Countertrade Products, Inc. signifies their capability to meet the government's requirements within the specified timeframe.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically the manufacturing and supply of electronic computers. The market for government IT procurement is vast, with agencies constantly seeking to update hardware to maintain operational effectiveness and cybersecurity. Benchmarks for similar large-scale laptop procurements would typically involve analyzing the price per unit based on volume, specifications, and warranty terms. This contract's value of $73.5 million places it as a significant, though not exceptionally large, IT hardware acquisition.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, nor is there an indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary awardee, Countertrade Products, Inc., is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses to participate in fulfilling this specific contract may be limited unless they are suppliers or partners to the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the National Park Service's IT acquisitions. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by limiting potential cost overruns. Transparency would be enhanced through public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and oversight reports are not readily available in this summary.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule Programs
Department of Defense (DoD) Enterprise IT procurements
Other agency-specific IT refresh initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for premium pricing due to expedited delivery.
Lack of detailed specifications may lead to suboptimal equipment.
Limited visibility into contractor's past performance on similar contracts.
No explicit small business participation requirements noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $73,520.95 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC.. DENA FY26 LAPTOP REPLACEMENT

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 $73,520.95.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-05-08.

What specific models and configurations of laptops are being procured under this contract, and how do they compare to current market offerings?

The provided data does not specify the exact laptop models or configurations. To assess value, one would need to compare the specifications (e.g., processor, RAM, storage, screen size, operating system) against comparable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products available from major manufacturers like Dell, HP, or Lenovo. Benchmarking would involve looking at pricing for similar configurations through government purchasing channels (like GSA Schedules) or large commercial resellers. The 28-day delivery suggests a focus on readily available models rather than custom builds, which could simplify comparison but might also limit customization options.

How does the price per unit, once determined, compare to similar large-scale laptop procurements by federal agencies?

Determining the price per unit requires knowing the quantity of laptops being purchased. If, for example, the $73.5 million were for 10,000 laptops, the average price per unit would be $7,350. This figure would then be compared against historical data for similar government laptop buys, considering factors like brand, specifications, warranty length, and included software. Agencies often leverage bulk purchasing power through GSA Schedules or other contract vehicles to achieve lower per-unit costs. A price significantly above market rates or historical averages, even with expedited delivery, would raise concerns about value for money.

What is the track record of Countertrade Products, Inc. in fulfilling large federal IT hardware contracts, particularly those with short delivery timelines?

Information on Countertrade Products, Inc.'s specific track record for large federal IT hardware contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), contract history with federal agencies, and any reported issues or successes in delivering similar equipment. Their ability to meet the 28-day delivery requirement for this $73.5 million contract is a key indicator of their capacity and reliability. Investigating their financial stability and operational capacity would also be relevant.

What are the potential risks associated with a 28-day delivery period for this contract?

A 28-day delivery period presents several risks. Firstly, it may necessitate the purchase of readily available, off-the-shelf models, potentially limiting customization and optimization for specific user needs. Secondly, expedited delivery can sometimes incur premium pricing, impacting the overall value for money. Thirdly, there's a risk of supply chain disruptions or manufacturing delays that could prevent timely delivery, especially for large quantities. Finally, insufficient time for thorough quality assurance testing or configuration prior to deployment could lead to post-delivery issues.

How does this contract fit into the broader IT modernization strategy of the National Park Service or the Department of the Interior?

This contract represents a component of the National Park Service's (NPS) ongoing efforts to maintain and update its technological infrastructure. Federal agencies are mandated to keep their IT systems current to ensure operational efficiency, cybersecurity, and compliance with federal regulations. Laptop replacements are a routine part of IT lifecycle management. Understanding how these specific laptops align with the NPS's broader IT modernization plan—including software standardization, network upgrades, and cybersecurity enhancements—would provide context on the strategic importance and long-term value of this procurement.

What are the implications of this contract being a single delivery order versus an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract?

This contract being a single delivery order means that the $73.5 million represents the total value for a specific, defined set of goods (laptops) to be delivered within a set timeframe. Unlike an IDIQ contract, there is no inherent provision for future orders under this specific award. This suggests a one-time need or a specific project requirement. It simplifies the government's commitment to a fixed scope and price but offers less flexibility for evolving needs compared to an IDIQ, which allows for multiple task orders over a period.

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: 2

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: $73,521

Exercised Options: $73,521

Current Obligation: $73,521

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC05B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline