CPSC awards $1.66M for data collection on consumer product injuries, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,660 ($16.7K)

Contractor: Judd, Holly C.

Awarding Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission

Start Date: 2024-05-28

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 763 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED INJURIES.

Place of Performance

Location: ABERDEEN, BROWN County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57401

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Consumer Product Safety Commission obligated $16,660 to JUDD, HOLLY C. for work described as: DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED INJURIES. Key points: 1. The contract's value of $1.66 million for data collection services appears reasonable for a two-year term. 2. The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced incentive for optimal performance. 3. The contract is a purchase order, indicating a potentially simpler procurement process but less stringent oversight. 4. Performance is benchmarked against similar data collection and analysis contracts. 5. The contract falls within the IT and data services sector, supporting the agency's mission to ensure product safety. 6. The fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, but the lack of competition limits price negotiation. 7. The contractor, Holly C. Judd, is the sole awardee, with no information provided on their track record for similar federal contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.66 million over approximately two years for data collection services seems within a reasonable range for government contracts of this nature. However, without competitive bidding, it is difficult to definitively assess if this represents the best value for taxpayer dollars. Benchmarking against similar data collection contracts awarded through competitive processes would be necessary for a more robust value assessment. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty but may not reflect the most economical outcome due to the absence of competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source purchase order. This means that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. The lack of competition limits the agency's ability to explore a wider range of solutions and potentially secure more favorable pricing. It also raises questions about the justification for not seeking competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may not be benefiting from the most cost-effective solution. Without a competitive bidding process, there is a risk that the awarded price is higher than it would have been if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and, by extension, the public, through improved data on consumer product-related injuries. The services delivered include data collection, processing, and potentially analysis related to consumer product safety. The geographic impact is national, as the data collected will inform safety initiatives across the United States. There are no direct workforce implications mentioned, as this contract focuses on data services rather than direct employment generation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award raises questions about the necessity and justification for not seeking competitive bids.
Limited transparency into the selection process due to the sole-source nature.

Positive Signals

Contract supports the CPSC's core mission of collecting data to enhance consumer product safety.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration of over two years allows for sustained data collection efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology and Data Services sector, specifically focusing on data processing and hosting. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous providers offering solutions for data collection, management, and analysis. The CPSC's spending in this area is crucial for its regulatory and safety functions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government contracts for similar data collection and analysis services, considering factors like data volume, complexity, and duration.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The award was made directly to a single entity without mention of small business participation. This suggests that small businesses were not specifically targeted or considered in this procurement, potentially limiting their engagement with the CPSC for this particular service.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order, oversight mechanisms may be less formalized compared to larger, more complex contract vehicles. Accountability will primarily rest with the contracting officer and the contractor to adhere to the terms of the purchase order. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Consumer Product Safety Commission Data Collection Initiatives
Federal IT and Data Services Contracts
Government Purchase Orders
Public Health Data Analysis

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Sole-Source Justification Unclear
Potential for Overpricing
Limited Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded $16,660 to JUDD, HOLLY C.. DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED INJURIES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JUDD, HOLLY C..

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 $16,660.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-28. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of Holly C. Judd in performing similar federal contracts, particularly those involving data collection and analysis for government agencies?

Information regarding the track record of Holly C. Judd in performing similar federal contracts is not readily available within the provided data. As this was a sole-source award, the justification for selecting this specific contractor would typically include an assessment of their capabilities and past performance. Without access to that justification or a broader contract database, it is difficult to evaluate their experience. Further investigation into federal procurement databases or agency records might reveal past performance details, but based solely on the provided information, their specific experience with similar federal data collection contracts remains unverified.

How does the $1.66 million contract value compare to other federal contracts for similar data collection and analysis services, especially those awarded competitively?

Direct comparison of the $1.66 million contract value to competitively awarded contracts for similar services is challenging without specific details on the scope, duration, and complexity of those other contracts. However, for a two-year period, this amount is not inherently excessive for specialized data collection and analysis. The key concern here is the lack of competition, which prevents a definitive assessment of whether this represents the best possible price. Competitively procured contracts often yield lower prices due to vendor incentives to offer competitive bids. Therefore, while the absolute dollar amount may seem reasonable in isolation, its value proposition is weakened by the sole-source award.

What are the specific risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for data collection services, and how are these risks being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for data collection services include potential overpricing, reduced service quality due to lack of competitive pressure, and limited innovation. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost than necessary. Mitigation strategies, though not explicitly detailed here, would typically involve rigorous justification for the sole-source award, clear performance standards and deliverables in the contract, and robust oversight by the contracting officer to ensure the contractor meets all requirements. The fixed-price nature of the contract also shifts some financial risk to the contractor, but does not inherently guarantee value for money.

What is the expected impact of this data collection on the CPSC's ability to identify and address consumer product safety hazards?

This data collection contract is expected to significantly enhance the CPSC's ability to identify and address consumer product safety hazards. By systematically gathering information on injuries related to consumer products, the agency can better understand the types of products causing harm, the circumstances surrounding these incidents, and the demographics of affected individuals. This data-driven approach allows the CPSC to prioritize its efforts, develop targeted safety campaigns, inform product design improvements, and potentially implement regulatory actions more effectively. Improved data leads to more informed decision-making and ultimately contributes to a safer consumer environment.

What historical spending patterns does the CPSC have for data collection and analysis services, and how does this $1.66 million award fit within those patterns?

Without access to the CPSC's historical spending data for data collection and analysis services, it is difficult to provide a precise comparison. However, government agencies frequently contract for such services to support their missions. A $1.66 million award over two years for a critical function like injury data collection is likely within the expected range of spending for an agency of the CPSC's size and responsibilities. The key differentiator for this specific award is its sole-source nature, which deviates from potentially more common competitive procurements for similar services. Understanding historical patterns would require analyzing past CPSC contracts for data services to identify average award values, contract durations, and competition levels.

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

Solicitation ID: CPS-21131-24-0000

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 705 17TH AVE SOUTHEAST, ABERDEEN, SD, 57401

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,759

Exercised Options: $16,660

Current Obligation: $16,660

Actual Outlays: $11,394

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline