State Dept. Spends $41K on Pool Filter Cartridges via Competed Purchase Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,253 ($41.3K)

Contractor: SF&B, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2024-02-26

End Date: 2024-03-30

Contract Duration: 33 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ISB-MH-WH-FAC: FILTER CARTRIDGE -SWIMMING POOL - OFFSHORE

Place of Performance

Location: LONGMONT, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80504

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $41,252.5 to SF&B, INC. for work described as: ISB-MH-WH-FAC: FILTER CARTRIDGE -SWIMMING POOL - OFFSHORE Key points: 1. Spending is concentrated on a specific niche product (pool filters). 2. Competition was utilized, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. The contract duration is short (33 days), limiting long-term risk. 4. The sector is manufacturing, specifically plumbing fixtures.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $41,252.50 for 3 units seems high on a per-unit basis, especially given the short duration. Benchmarking against similar pool filter purchases would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for a relatively small dollar value. This method generally allows for adequate price discovery among qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for a specific operational need, with competition likely ensuring a reasonable price for the goods acquired.

Public Impact

Ensures operational readiness for facilities requiring pool maintenance. Supports the manufacturing sector for specialized plumbing components. Demonstrates government procurement for essential facility upkeep.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High per-unit cost potential
Limited contract duration may lead to frequent re-procurement
Lack of detailed product specifications

Positive Signals

Competitive award process
Use of standard procurement procedures

Sector Analysis

The Department of State procures a wide range of goods and services, including facility maintenance items like pool filters. Spending benchmarks for this specific item are difficult to ascertain without more granular data, but it falls within general facility support services.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in or were awarded this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a Purchase Order under SAP, suggesting standard procurement oversight. The short duration and competitive nature imply reasonable accountability for this specific transaction.

Related Government Programs

Plumbing Fixture Fitting and Trim Manufacturing
Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for high per-unit cost
Short contract duration
Lack of detailed product specifications
Limited visibility into small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $41,252.5 to SF&B, INC.. ISB-MH-WH-FAC: FILTER CARTRIDGE -SWIMMING POOL - OFFSHORE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SF&B, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $41,252.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-26. End: 2024-03-30.

What is the typical market price for high-quality swimming pool filter cartridges of this type to assess value?

Determining the precise market price requires specific product details (size, micron rating, brand compatibility). However, commercial pool filter cartridges can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars each, depending on these factors. Without knowing the exact specifications, it's difficult to definitively benchmark the $13,750 per unit implied by the data.

What are the risks associated with a short contract duration for essential supplies like filter cartridges?

A short duration, like 33 days, poses risks of supply chain disruption if the vendor cannot fulfill subsequent orders promptly or if prices increase significantly upon re-procurement. It also necessitates frequent administrative effort for contract renewal or re-competition, potentially increasing overhead costs for the agency.

How effective is the SAP competition method for ensuring fair pricing on niche manufactured goods?

SAP competition is generally effective for smaller dollar value procurements, encouraging price discovery among a reasonable number of vendors. For niche manufactured goods, its effectiveness depends on the number of qualified suppliers and the clarity of the solicitation. If the market is limited, SAP might not yield the most competitive pricing compared to broader full-and-open competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › Plumbing Fixture Fitting and Trim Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MAINT/REPAIR SHOP EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9585 NIWOT RD, LONGMONT, CO, 80504

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,253

Exercised Options: $41,253

Current Obligation: $41,253

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline