CPSC awards $807K for data collection on consumer product injuries, with limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $80,786 ($80.8K)

Contractor: Feeney Patty

Awarding Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission

Start Date: 2024-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $111/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: MENIFEE, RIVERSIDE County, CALIFORNIA, 92586

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Consumer Product Safety Commission obligated $80,785.5 to FEENEY PATTY for work described as: DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED INJURIES. Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the specialized nature of data collection and analysis required. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially limiting price discovery and increasing risk. 3. Risk indicators include the lack of competition and reliance on a single vendor for critical data. 4. Performance context is tied to the agency's mission of ensuring product safety through data analysis. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically data processing and hosting for a regulatory agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $807,555 over two years for data collection and processing is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the scope of work and data volume. However, given the specialized nature of collecting and analyzing consumer product injury data, the price seems within a reasonable range for a sole-source award. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, meaning it was not competed. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) likely determined that only one vendor could meet the specific requirements for this data collection effort. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, which can limit price negotiation and potentially lead to higher costs than if the contract had been openly competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers did not benefit from potential cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process. The agency may have paid a premium due to the sole-source nature of this award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which gains critical data for its safety initiatives. The services delivered include the collection, processing, and hosting of data related to consumer product injuries. The geographic impact is national, as the data collected informs safety standards and recalls affecting consumers across the United States. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily impacting the contractor's personnel involved in data management and analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced innovation.
Sole-source awards can create vendor lock-in and limit future flexibility.
Reliance on a single provider for critical data infrastructure poses a risk if the vendor experiences performance issues or financial instability.

Positive Signals

The contract supports the CPSC's core mission of protecting consumers from hazardous products.
A fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for the agency.
The vendor is providing essential IT infrastructure and data processing services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on data processing, web hosting, and related services. The market for such services is vast and highly competitive, with numerous providers offering cloud hosting, data analytics, and database management. However, the specialized nature of regulatory data collection and the specific requirements of the CPSC likely narrowed the field, leading to a sole-source award. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the exact data volume and complexity, but agencies frequently contract for similar IT infrastructure and data services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. There is no indication of subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, this award is unlikely to have a direct positive impact on the small business ecosystem in this specific instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Consumer Product Safety Commission's contracting officers and program managers. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and agency policies. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of a competitive bidding process. There is no specific mention of an Inspector General's jurisdiction for this particular award, though the CPSC does have an Office of Inspector General that oversees agency operations.

Related Government Programs

Consumer Product Safety Commission Data Management
Federal IT Infrastructure Services
Government Data Processing Contracts
Regulatory Data Collection Initiatives

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition
Potential for overpricing due to lack of competition
Vendor lock-in risk
Dependence on a single provider for critical data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded $80,785.5 to FEENEY PATTY. DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED INJURIES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FEENEY PATTY.

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 $80,785.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the specific nature of the data being collected and how is it used by the CPSC?

The data being collected pertains to consumer product-related injuries. This information is crucial for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to identify patterns, trends, and potential hazards associated with consumer products. By analyzing this data, the CPSC can issue safety warnings, develop new safety standards, recommend product recalls, and educate consumers about product risks. The effectiveness of the CPSC's mission is directly tied to the quality and comprehensiveness of the injury data it collects and analyzes.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis, and what are the implications for cost?

The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicated as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and a 'sole-source' competition level. This typically means the agency determined that only one vendor could provide the necessary goods or services due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements. The implication for cost is that the government may not have achieved the lowest possible price, as there was no competitive pressure from other bidders. While the fixed-price contract provides cost certainty, the absence of competition raises concerns about whether the price reflects fair market value.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for critical data services?

A sole-source award for critical data services like this presents several risks. Firstly, there's a heightened risk of the government paying a premium due to the lack of competition. Secondly, the agency becomes dependent on a single vendor, creating a potential for vendor lock-in and limiting flexibility in the future. If the vendor experiences performance issues, financial instability, or decides to discontinue services, the CPSC could face significant disruption in its data collection and analysis capabilities. Furthermore, without competitive pressure, there may be less incentive for the vendor to innovate or provide exceptional service.

How does this contract align with the CPSC's overall mission and strategic goals?

This contract is directly aligned with the CPSC's core mission of protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products. The data collected on injuries provides the foundational intelligence for the agency's risk assessment, standard development, and public education efforts. By ensuring the continuous collection and processing of this vital data, the CPSC can effectively identify emerging threats, respond to product safety issues, and ultimately reduce the incidence of consumer product-related injuries and deaths across the nation.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar data collection services by the CPSC or other agencies?

Historical spending patterns for similar data collection services by the CPSC or other agencies are not provided in the given data. However, federal agencies frequently procure IT services, data processing, and data collection support. The cost of such contracts can vary widely based on the scope, duration, data volume, complexity of analysis, and whether the procurement is competed or sole-sourced. Agencies often use competitive processes to secure these services, aiming for cost-effectiveness. Sole-source awards, like this one, are typically exceptions justified by specific circumstances and may incur higher costs compared to competitively awarded contracts.

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: 28961 CARMEL RD, MENIFEE, CA, 92586

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $292,900

Exercised Options: $80,786

Current Obligation: $80,786

Actual Outlays: $67,499

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline