CPSC Awards $987K for Consumer Product Injury Data Collection, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $98,679 ($98.7K)
Contractor: Braun, Christina
Awarding Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission
Start Date: 2024-07-01
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $135/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 PRODUCTS RELATED TO INJURIES.
Place of Performance
Location: OXFORD, GRANVILLE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27565
Plain-Language Summary
Consumer Product Safety Commission obligated $98,678.8 to BRAUN, CHRISTINA for work described as: DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS RELATED TO INJURIES. Key points: 1. Spending focuses on data collection for consumer product injuries. 2. The contract was not competed under SAP, raising concerns about price discovery. 3. Potential risks include limited competition and potentially suboptimal pricing. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically data processing and hosting.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The award amount of $986,788 for a 729-day period is difficult to benchmark without specific service details. The lack of competition suggests pricing may not have been optimized against market alternatives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' indicating a limited competition approach. This method can lead to higher prices and reduced value for taxpayer money as market forces are not fully leveraged.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competitive bidding may result in the government overpaying for these IT services, impacting taxpayer funds negatively.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of consumer product safety through data. Supports CPSC's mission to prevent injuries and deaths. Potential for improved product regulations based on collected data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in award process
Positive Signals
- Supports critical safety data collection
- Long-term contract duration provides stability
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically data processing and hosting services. Spending benchmarks for similar data collection and analysis contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement. The contract was awarded to a single entity without mention of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation warrants further oversight to ensure the agency explored all viable competitive options and justified the limited competition approach.
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
- Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Risk of data quality issues if not properly managed.
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, consumer-product-safety-commission, nc, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded $98,678.8 to BRAUN, CHRISTINA. DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS RELATED TO INJURIES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BRAUN, CHRISTINA.
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 $98,678.8.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.
What specific data points are being collected, and how will this data directly translate into actionable safety improvements for consumers?
The data collected is related to consumer products and associated injuries. The agency aims to use this information to identify trends, assess risks, and inform regulatory actions or public awareness campaigns. The direct translation into safety improvements depends on the analysis and subsequent policy decisions made by the CPSC based on the data's insights.
Given the lack of competition, what measures were taken to ensure the price paid is fair and reasonable for the services rendered?
Without details on the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' justification, it's unclear what specific measures were employed. Typically, agencies would rely on historical pricing, independent government estimates, or commercial price lists. However, the absence of a competitive bidding process inherently limits the assurance of a fair and reasonable price compared to a fully competed award.
How will the effectiveness of this data collection effort be measured, and what are the key performance indicators for the contractor?
Effectiveness is likely measured by the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of the data provided by the contractor, aligning with the Statement of Work. Key performance indicators would include adherence to data submission schedules, data quality standards, and responsiveness to CPSC data requirements. The ultimate measure of effectiveness, however, lies in the CPSC's ability to derive meaningful safety insights from the collected data.
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: 138 KIPLING DR, OXFORD, NC, 27565
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $254,871
Exercised Options: $98,679
Current Obligation: $98,679
Actual Outlays: $78,492
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-07-01
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2029-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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