DOJ awards $367K IT services contract to Countertrade Products, Inc. for one year

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $367,045 ($367.0K)

Contractor: Countertrade Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2027-04-06

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TITLE: ENTRUST - CERTS, GATEWAY, AND PRO SERVICES REQUESTOR: BRUCE LAI AFT#: 2026-DP-0016 ITJA#: ITJA0017068 POP DATES: 04/02/2026 TO 04/01/2027

Place of Performance

Location: ARVADA, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80003

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $367,045.44 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: TITLE: ENTRUST - CERTS, GATEWAY, AND PRO SERVICES REQUESTOR: BRUCE LAI AFT#: 2026-DP-0016 ITJA#: ITJA0017068 POP DATES: 04/02/2026 TO 04/01/2027 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on IT services, specifically certificates, gateway, and professional support. 2. The award is a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle. 3. The contract duration is one year, with a firm-fixed-price structure. 4. The contractor, Countertrade Products, Inc., is based in Colorado. 5. The ITJA number indicates a specific IT justification for the procurement. 6. The NAICS code 541519 suggests a broad range of 'Other Computer Related Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $367,045.44 for one year of IT services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized support. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the specific scope of 'certs, gateway, and pro services' needs detailed comparison to ensure competitive pricing for the defined deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which suggests a limited competition scenario. While not a sole-source award, the exclusion of certain sources implies that not all potential offerors were considered. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the limited nature of the competition may have impacted price discovery and potentially led to a higher price than under full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of the lowest possible price due to the restricted nature of the competition. The exclusion of sources limits the government's ability to leverage the broadest possible market.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice, specifically the Drug Enforcement Administration, will benefit from these IT services. Services include support for certificates, gateway systems, and professional IT assistance. The contract is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of the DEA's IT infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within the agency's operational locations, likely supporting federal law enforcement activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
The specific scope of 'pro services' is broad and may lack detailed performance metrics.
Reliance on a single delivery order for critical IT functions could pose a risk if the contractor underperforms.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for re-evaluation of needs.
The award is to an existing contractor, potentially indicating a known performance history.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services.' The federal IT services market is vast, with agencies constantly procuring support for infrastructure, software, cybersecurity, and specialized IT functions. This contract appears to be a relatively small component of the DEA's overall IT spending, likely addressing a specific need for gateway and certification support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless Countertrade Products, Inc. is itself a small business and utilizes other small businesses in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers. The Drug Enforcement Administration would be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with the contract terms. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, there may be existing oversight mechanisms in place. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance reports are not usually publicly available.

Related Government Programs

DEA IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Certificate Management Systems
Government Gateway Services
IT Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
Scope of 'pro services' requires clear definition and monitoring.
Contractor performance history needs verification for risk assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $367,045.44 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC.. TITLE: ENTRUST - CERTS, GATEWAY, AND PRO SERVICES REQUESTOR: BRUCE LAI AFT#: 2026-DP-0016 ITJA#: ITJA0017068 POP DATES: 04/02/2026 TO 04/01/2027

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $367,045.44.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2027-04-06.

What is the track record of Countertrade Products, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Justice?

Information regarding Countertrade Products, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially within the Department of Justice, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require reviewing historical contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any past performance issues. Without this data, it's difficult to assess their reliability and experience for this specific IT services requirement. The fact that this is a Delivery Order suggests they may have an existing contract vehicle, implying some level of prior vetting or established relationship.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar IT services procured by the DEA or other federal agencies?

The provided data does not include detailed pricing breakdowns or specific service rates, making a direct comparison difficult. The total award amount of $367,045.44 for a one-year period for 'certs, gateway, and pro services' needs to be benchmarked against similar IT support contracts. Factors such as the number of personnel, their skill levels, and the specific deliverables would be crucial for an accurate comparison. The 'limited' competition aspect also suggests that the price might not be as competitive as it could be under a fully open solicitation.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential underperformance by the contractor, scope creep, and the possibility that the limited competition resulted in a suboptimal price. If 'pro services' are not clearly defined, there's a risk of unmet expectations. Mitigation strategies would involve robust contract management by the DEA, including clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and active monitoring of deliverables. The firm-fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost overrun risks, but not performance risks. The limited competition itself is a risk that may have been accepted due to specific agency needs or existing contract vehicles.

How effective is the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' approach for procuring these specific IT services?

This procurement approach, while not sole-source, limits the pool of potential offerors. Its effectiveness hinges on the justification for excluding sources. If the exclusion was based on specific technical requirements or pre-qualification that genuinely narrowed the field to a few capable vendors, it could be effective in ensuring specialized expertise. However, it inherently reduces competitive pressure, potentially impacting price and innovation. For 'Other Computer Related Services,' a broader competition might yield better value unless there are highly specialized, niche requirements necessitating source exclusion.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar IT services at the DEA or within the DOJ?

The provided data does not offer historical spending patterns. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contracts for IT services, particularly those related to gateway management, certification authorities, and professional IT support, awarded to the DEA or the broader DOJ. Understanding trends in contract values, durations, and types of services procured over several fiscal years would reveal patterns and help contextualize the current $367,045 award. This analysis would also highlight whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or stable.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - DATA CENTER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 8

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: $367,045

Exercised Options: $367,045

Current Obligation: $367,045

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC65B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline