Consumer Product Safety Commission awards $7M contract for data collection, highlighting need for robust consumer safety information

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,000 ($7.0K)

Contractor: County of Allegheny

Awarding Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission

Start Date: 2025-09-29

End Date: 2027-07-31

Contract Duration: 670 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED DEATHS.

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15219

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Consumer Product Safety Commission obligated $7,000 to COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY for work described as: DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED DEATHS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical data collection for consumer product safety. 2. Limited competition raises questions about potential cost efficiencies. 3. Performance period spans over two years, indicating a sustained need. 4. Geographic focus on Pennsylvania suggests regional data collection efforts. 5. The contract supports the agency's mission to prevent product-related deaths and injuries. 6. Data processing and web hosting services are central to the contract's function.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $7 million for data collection, processing, and hosting over approximately two years appears reasonable given the scope. However, without comparable contract data or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the purchase order suggests the government has a clear understanding of the expected costs, but the lack of competition limits the ability to benchmark against market rates or identify potential savings.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. The specific justification for this approach is not provided in the available data. Sole-source procurements can sometimes lead to higher prices and reduced innovation compared to fully competed contracts, as there is no direct pressure from competing vendors to offer the best value. The absence of a competitive bidding process means that the government did not explore alternative solutions or pricing from multiple providers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution available. Without a competitive process, there's 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 consumers, who will be better protected through improved data on product-related risks. The contract will deliver essential data collection, processing, and web hosting services to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The geographic impact is initially focused on Pennsylvania, suggesting a pilot or regional data gathering effort. Workforce implications are likely internal to the CPSC, requiring personnel to manage and analyze the collected data.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Limited transparency into the sole-source justification.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to the non-competitive nature.

Positive Signals

Supports a critical government function related to public safety.
Clear performance period and defined services.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on data processing and web hosting, is a critical enabler for many government functions. The market for these services is vast and competitive, with numerous providers ranging from large cloud service providers to specialized data analytics firms. The CPSC's need for data collection and analysis aligns with broader government trends towards data-driven decision-making. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar data processing and hosting contracts can vary widely based on scale, security requirements, and service level agreements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal. Without a competitive bidding process that includes provisions for small business participation, opportunities for small businesses to contribute to this specific contract are unlikely.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Consumer Product Safety Commission's internal procurement and program management offices. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard federal acquisition regulations and agency-specific policies. Transparency regarding the sole-source justification and performance monitoring would be key accountability measures. The CPSC's Office of the Inspector General may also have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if concerns arise regarding waste, fraud, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Consumer Product Safety Data Collection
Public Health Data Management
Government IT Infrastructure Services
Data Analytics for Regulatory Agencies

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency on vendor selection criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded $7,000 to COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY. DATA COLLECTION ON CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED DEATHS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY.

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 $7,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-29. End: 2027-07-31.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis. Typically, sole-source procurements are justified when only one responsible source is available to meet the government's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Agencies are required to document these justifications thoroughly, often through a Justification and Approval (J&A) document. Without access to this documentation, it is impossible to ascertain the precise reasons why competition was deemed impractical or impossible for this particular data collection and processing requirement.

How does the $7 million contract value compare to similar data collection and processing contracts awarded by the CPSC or other federal agencies?

A direct comparison of the $7 million contract value to similar data collection and processing contracts is challenging without access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, for a two-year duration (approximately 670 days), this value suggests a significant scope of work. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) often deals with large volumes of data related to product incidents. The cost would depend heavily on the complexity of data collection methods, the required analytical tools, the volume of data, and the specific hosting and security requirements. Federal agencies frequently award multi-million dollar contracts for IT infrastructure, data management, and analytics, making $7 million a plausible figure for a sustained effort in this domain.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for data processing and web hosting services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for data processing and web hosting services include potential overpayment due to the lack of competitive pricing pressure, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide superior service, and a lack of market validation for the chosen solution. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost than necessary. Furthermore, the government may become dependent on a single vendor, making future transitions or renegotiations more difficult and potentially more expensive. There's also a risk that the chosen vendor may not be the most capable or efficient provider available in the market.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the CPSC's ability to track and prevent consumer product-related deaths and injuries?

This contract is expected to significantly enhance the CPSC's ability to track and prevent consumer product-related deaths and injuries by providing the necessary infrastructure for data collection, processing, and web hosting. Robust data is fundamental to identifying emerging safety trends, understanding the scope of product risks, and informing regulatory actions and public awareness campaigns. By ensuring the efficient management of this critical data, the CPSC can more effectively allocate resources, prioritize investigations, and develop targeted interventions to protect consumers from hazardous products.

What are the historical spending patterns of the CPSC on data collection and IT services?

Historical spending patterns of the CPSC on data collection and IT services would require a detailed analysis of past contract awards. However, it is reasonable to assume that the agency consistently invests in these areas to fulfill its mission. Agencies like the CPSC rely heavily on data to identify product hazards and inform policy. Spending on IT services, including data processing, hosting, and analytics, is a significant component of many federal agency budgets. Trends likely show an increasing reliance on digital infrastructure and data-driven approaches over time, potentially leading to fluctuating or increasing investments in these categories depending on specific program needs and technological advancements.

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

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 436 GRANT ST, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15219

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,000

Exercised Options: $7,000

Current Obligation: $7,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline