State Department awards $112K for printer toner, highlighting efficient procurement for essential office supplies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $112,092 ($112.1K)

Contractor: Tsrc, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2024-07-26

End Date: 2024-08-26

Contract Duration: 31 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HP BLACK PRINTER TONER

Place of Performance

Location: ASHLAND, HANOVER County, VIRGINIA, 23005

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $112,092 to TSRC, INC. for work described as: HP BLACK PRINTER TONER Key points: 1. Value for money appears strong given the competitive nature of the award. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for office supplies. 3. Risk indicators are low for this type of commodity purchase. 4. Performance context suggests a routine, low-complexity requirement. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader office supplies manufacturing industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $112,092 for printer toner appears reasonable, especially considering it was a full and open competition. Without specific unit pricing or historical data for this exact toner model, a direct benchmark is difficult. However, the competitive process generally drives prices toward market rates. The contract type (Firm Fixed Price) also helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data shows 7 bids were received, suggesting a robust level of interest and competition for this requirement. This broad participation is a positive sign for price discovery and ensures the government is likely receiving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award like this means taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently, as multiple vendors vied to offer the best price and terms.

Public Impact

Government agencies, specifically the Department of State, benefit from a reliable supply of essential printer toner. The service delivered is the provision of office supplies critical for daily operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the Department of State. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a supply contract rather than a service requiring significant personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Multiple bids received (7), indicating strong market interest.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Delivery order mechanism allows for timely fulfillment of needs.

Sector Analysis

The market for printer toner is a mature segment within the broader office supplies industry. This contract falls under the 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is consistent across many government agencies, reflecting the ongoing need for printing capabilities. Benchmarks for similar commodity purchases often show significant price variation based on brand, volume, and specific model, but competitive bidding is standard practice.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of toner manufacturing and distribution, it's possible that larger manufacturers or their authorized distributors were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made by the Department of State, which has established procurement regulations and oversight processes. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by '339940' potentially being a contract number), oversight would be managed by the contracting officer at the agency. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies
Consumables Procurement
Department of State Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption
Risk of product obsolescence with technology shifts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $112,092 to TSRC, INC.. HP BLACK PRINTER TONER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TSRC, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $112,092.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-26. End: 2024-08-26.

What is the specific type and model of HP printer toner being procured, and how does its unit price compare to market rates for similar products?

The provided data identifies the item as 'HP BLACK PRINTER TONER' but does not specify the exact model number (e.g., HP 655X, HP 202X). This lack of specificity makes a precise unit price comparison challenging. However, the total award amount of $112,092 for a 31-day duration suggests a significant quantity. To perform a robust comparison, one would need the specific toner model and the quantity purchased. Market research for common HP black toner cartridges reveals a wide price range, from under $50 for basic models to over $150 for high-yield or specialized cartridges. Given the competitive bidding process with 7 offers, it is likely that the awarded price falls within a reasonable market range for the quantity and specific model procured, but without more detail, definitive benchmarking is not possible.

What is the track record of TSRC, INC. in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for office supplies?

Information regarding TSRC, INC.'s specific track record for fulfilling government contracts, especially for office supplies, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their past performance history, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes. Without this external data, it's impossible to evaluate their reliability or experience in this specific product category. However, their ability to win a competitive bid suggests they met the basic qualifications and presented a compelling offer for this particular contract.

How does the $112,092 award for a 31-day period compare to historical spending patterns for printer toner by the Department of State?

The award of $112,092 for a 31-day period for printer toner is a substantial amount for a short duration, suggesting either a very large quantity purchase or a need for expedited delivery of high-volume items. To compare this to historical spending, one would need to analyze the Department of State's procurement data for similar toner supplies over previous fiscal years. Key metrics to examine would include the average monthly or annual spend on toner, the typical contract values, and the number of vendors utilized. If historical data shows similar or higher spending for comparable periods, this award might be in line with past patterns. Conversely, if this represents a significant increase, it could warrant further investigation into the reasons, such as increased operational needs or potential price inflation.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, such as supply chain disruptions or product obsolescence?

The primary risks associated with this contract are related to the supply chain and product lifecycle. For printer toner, supply chain disruptions could arise from manufacturing issues, shipping delays, or geopolitical factors affecting raw material availability. Given that this is a commodity item, there's also a risk of product obsolescence if the Department of State transitions to new printer models or printing technologies that use different consumables. The short duration (31 days) mitigates some long-term risks, but the reliance on a single delivery order means that any immediate supply chain interruption could impact the agency's operations. The firm fixed price nature helps mitigate cost escalation risk for the government during the contract period.

What is the significance of the '339940' identifier associated with this award?

The identifier '339940' likely refers to a specific contract number or a unique identifier within the Department of State's procurement system or a broader federal contracting database. In the context of federal procurement, such numbers are crucial for tracking specific agreements, linking them to vendors, agencies, and the goods or services procured. It could represent a base contract under which this delivery order was issued, or it might be a specific award identification number. Understanding its precise meaning would require cross-referencing with official government contract repositories to determine if it's a task order, a delivery order, or a specific contract vehicle.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14140 N WASHINGTON HWY, ASHLAND, VA, 23005

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: $112,092

Exercised Options: $112,092

Current Obligation: $112,092

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA20D008E

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline