DOJ's Bureau of Prisons Leases Ricoh Copiers for $4,916.70, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,917 ($4.9K)
Contractor: Ricoh USA Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: P1 RICOH COPIERS LEASE AND MAINT OCT 1, 2025 - SEPT 30, 2026
Place of Performance
Location: EXTON, CHESTER County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19341
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $4,916.7 to RICOH USA INC for work described as: P1 RICOH COPIERS LEASE AND MAINT OCT 1, 2025 - SEPT 30, 2026 Key points: 1. The lease for Ricoh copiers is valued at $4,916.70 for one year. 2. The contract was not competed, raising concerns about price discovery. 3. The primary risk is the lack of competitive bidding potentially leading to overpayment. 4. This spending falls within the 'Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if $4,916.70 for a one-year copier lease is a fair price. Similar government leases for comparable equipment typically range from $50-$200 per month, depending on features and volume.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition procurement. This method bypasses the standard competitive process, potentially limiting price discovery and increasing the risk of paying above market rates.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive pressure to secure the best possible price for the copier lease.
Public Impact
Federal agencies rely on leased office equipment for daily operations. The lack of competition in this lease could set a precedent for other equipment procurements. Transparency in government equipment leasing is crucial for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Sole-source justification unclear
Positive Signals
- Clear contract duration
- Specific equipment type identified
Sector Analysis
The 'Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing' sector involves recurring costs for essential office functions. Benchmarks for government copier leases vary widely based on equipment, volume, and contract terms, but competition is key to achieving favorable pricing.
Small Business Impact
This procurement does not appear to involve small businesses, as the vendor is Ricoh USA Inc., a large corporation. There is no indication of set-asides for small businesses in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Federal Prison System's procurement of office equipment should be subject to standard oversight to ensure fair pricing and competition. The lack of competition here warrants further review by oversight bodies.
Related Government Programs
- Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Absence of market research justification
- Limited transparency in procurement process
Tags
office-machinery-and-equipment-rental-an, department-of-justice, pa, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $4,916.7 to RICOH USA INC. P1 RICOH COPIERS LEASE AND MAINT OCT 1, 2025 - SEPT 30, 2026
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RICOH USA INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $4,916.7.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What was the justification for not competing this copier lease, and was a market research report conducted to determine fair and reasonable pricing?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED.' Without further documentation, the specific justification is unknown. Typically, agencies must conduct market research and document a justification for other than full and open competition to ensure the price is fair and reasonable, especially for recurring leases.
What is the expected monthly cost of this copier lease, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar equipment?
The total contract value is $4,916.70 for a 364-day lease. This equates to approximately $135 per month. This monthly cost falls within the typical range for government copier leases, but without knowing the specific model, features, and expected usage volume, a precise comparison is difficult.
Are there any performance metrics or service level agreements included in the contract to ensure the quality of the leased copiers and maintenance services?
The provided data does not specify performance metrics or service level agreements. Standard government contracts for leased equipment usually include clauses related to uptime, response times for maintenance, and equipment replacement to ensure operational continuity and value for taxpayer money.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Real Estate and Rental and Leasing › Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing › Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing
Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT EQUIPMENT › LEASE OR RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ricoh Company,Ltd.
Address: 300 EAGLEVIEW BLVD, EXTON, PA, 19341
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,917
Exercised Options: $4,917
Current Obligation: $4,917
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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