CPSC Spends $64.5M on Consumer Injury Data Collection, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $64,489 ($64.5K)

Contractor: Nicholas Alexander Stultz

Awarding Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission

Start Date: 2022-12-29

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,279 days

Daily Burn Rate: $50/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED INJURIES

Place of Performance

Location: ASPERS, ADAMS County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17304

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Consumer Product Safety Commission obligated $64,488.65 to NICHOLAS ALEXANDER STULTZ for work described as: DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED INJURIES Key points: 1. Significant investment in data collection infrastructure. 2. Sole-source award raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Long-term contract duration may limit flexibility. 4. IT infrastructure services are crucial for agency operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $64.5M over approximately 3.5 years suggests a substantial investment. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar cloud computing and data processing contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a sole-source award. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price and terms.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competitive pricing may lead to taxpayers overpaying for these essential IT services.

Public Impact

Enhances CPSC's ability to track and prevent consumer product injuries. Supports data-driven policy decisions and recalls. Potential for improved public safety through better data analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Sole-source award
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Essential data collection for public safety
Supports agency mission

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically cloud computing and data processing. Spending benchmarks for similar government contracts vary widely based on scope and duration, but the lack of competition here is a key concern.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, missing an opportunity to support small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the CPSC obtained fair value and that the necessity for a non-competitive award is well-documented.

Related Government Programs

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Consumer Product Safety Commission Contracting
Consumer Product Safety Commission Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Long contract duration may not reflect current market value.
Limited transparency in price discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded $64,488.65 to NICHOLAS ALEXANDER STULTZ. DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED INJURIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NICHOLAS ALEXANDER STULTZ.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission (Consumer Product Safety Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $64,488.65.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-29. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available sources. The agency must provide detailed documentation to support these claims. Price reasonableness is usually assessed through market research, historical pricing, or comparison to similar contracts, though this is more challenging without competition.

What are the risks associated with a long-term, sole-source contract for IT infrastructure?

Risks include potential cost overruns due to lack of competitive pressure, vendor lock-in, and reduced flexibility to adopt newer technologies. The agency may also be less responsive to evolving needs if contract modifications are difficult or costly.

How will the effectiveness of this data collection be measured, and what are the expected outcomes for consumer safety?

Effectiveness is typically measured by the quality, completeness, and timeliness of the data collected, as well as its utility in identifying trends and informing interventions. Expected outcomes include a reduction in consumer product injuries and enhanced public awareness of safety risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 43 EAST IMPERIAL DRIVE, ASPERS, PA, 17304

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $85,004

Exercised Options: $64,489

Current Obligation: $64,489

Actual Outlays: $56,535

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline